Analysis
Since 2012, the Week in Review keeps you ahead of the curve with in-depth analysis of the trends in the region, based on Al-Monitor’s world class reporting.
Iran follows Russia’s lead in backing Syria safe zones
Russia’s proposal legitimates Iranian military role in Syria; supreme leader hails victory for "Islamic democracy"; Turkish intervention in Sinjar could disrupt Mosul liberation plans; Egypt’s media crackdown.
![RTX36WD7.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2017/05/RTX36WD7.jpg/RTX36WD7.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=7nkSUzdz)
Is Trump holding a Russian card in the Middle East?
Trump visit launches new US-Saudi partnership, but the endgame in the Middle East still depends on Moscow and Tehran.
![Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (2-L) welcomes U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and first lady Melania Trump as they arrive aboard Air Force One at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia May 20, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - RTX36OP5](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2017/05/RTX36OP5.jpg/RTX36OP5.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=1jjtt3aB)
Setting low bar for Trump-Erdogan meeting
With US-Turkey relations in crisis, the meeting of the US and Turkish presidents will be about appearances over substance; Saudis will press Trump on Iran; storm clouds over Sinjar; Hamas clamps down on journalists.
![Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan leaves the stage after speaking during the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum at the China National Convention Center (CNCC) in Beijing, May 14, 2017. REUTERS/Mark Schiefelbein/Pool - RTX35Q7O](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2017/05/RTX35Q7O.jpg/RTX35Q7O.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=XX6_DLkb)
Putin changes conversation on Syria with cease-fire plan
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says the de-escalation zones are linked to US safe zone discussions.
![Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a news conference following the talks with his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan in Sochi, Russia, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool - RTS14ZO6](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2017/05/RTS14ZO6.jpg/RTS14ZO6.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=QGpYEITr)
Erdogan tests Trump with attack on Syrian Kurds
US-Turkey relations sink further following airstrikes; Russia’s expanding military presence in Syria.
![A helicopter carrying U.S. military officials arrive at the headquarters of the Kurdish fighters from the People's Protection Units (YPG) that was hit by Turkish airstrikes in Mount Karachok near Malikiya, Syria April 25, 2017. REUTERS/Rodi Said - RTS13T7T](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2017/04/RTS13T7T.jpg/RTS13T7T.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=5qTpzAwB)
Does Erdogan expect Trump to ditch Syrian Kurds?
US and Turkish presidents talk, agree to meeting in Washington; Saudi-Iraqi ties hit Iranian ceiling; Turkey sees al-Bab as safe haven for displaced Syrians.
![Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan addresses his supporters at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, April 17, 2017. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RTS12NRL](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2017/04/RTS12NRL.jpg/RTS12NRL.jpg?h=aa370a84&itok=dpSKftmF)
Assad’s departure still non-starter for Putin
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s comment on "orderly" transition could offer a face-saving spark for Syria political talks; Hezbollah’s No. 2 disavows "ambitions" in Syria; did Iran benefit from US missile strike? Sistani seeks restraints on Iraqi armed groups looking to fight in Syria.
![RTX3531H.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2017/04/RTX3531H.jpg/RTX3531H.jpg?h=bb0b96e8&itok=fN8rawWw)
After US missile strikes, can Tillerson find common ground with Russia in Syria?
US strategy to defeat Islamic State in play as secretary of state heads to Moscow and UN secretary-general calls for restraint.
![Battle damage assessment image of Shayrat Airfield, Syria, is seen in this DigitalGlobe satellite image, released by the Pentagon following U.S. Tomahawk Land Attack Missile strikes from Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, the USS Ross and USS Porter on April 7, 2017. DigitalGlobe/Courtesy U.S. Department of Defense/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MANDATORY CREDIT. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX34MOP](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2017/04/RTX34MOP.jpg/RTX34MOP.jpg?h=b5b4158e&itok=t_pw65lb)
Did the US, Turkey reach understanding on Assad?
Turkey declares an end to Syrian military intervention; alarm over possible US military support to Gulf coalition in Yemen war.
![U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu attend a news conference in Ankara, Turkey, March 30, 2017. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RTX33DCF](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2017/03/RTX33DCF.jpg/RTX33DCF.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=gEq_q18s)
Idlib — more than Raqqa — may be decisive Syria fault line
Russian-Turkish agreement under strain in key northern city.
![RTX31PGQ.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2017/03/RTX31PGQ.jpg/RTX31PGQ.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=edP6v-4U)
Pagination
Netanyahu, regional leaders hedge on possible Trump win in November
The Israeli prime minister is under pressure to deliver on a cease-fire during his Washington visit next week; Biden can’t heal Democrat divisions over Israel and the Gaza war.
![JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2024-07/GettyImages-1230516369.jpg?h=1d34674f&itok=-Zxq4qmm)
Lebanon FM warns of 'devastating’ regional war if Israel escalates campaign against Hezbollah
In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Lebanon's top diplomat, Abdallah Bou Habib, adds that security in the south ultimately depends on a strong Lebanese army and an agreement on the border – not war.
![BERLIN, GERMANY - DECEMBER 15: Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdallah Bou Habib speaks to the media following talks with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on December 15, 2023 in Berlin, Germany. The two diplomats discussed mutual measures to prevent the current Palestinian-Israeli conflict from expanding to other regions, among other issues. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2024-07/GettyImages-1857491748.jpg?h=9855f42d&itok=rgoJZYYE)
US, Iran guarantors of shaky deterrence between Israel and Hezbollah
Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah is not ready to go to the mattresses over the killing of another senior commander on Wednesday, and Iran doesn't want a war while it favors the threat of confrontation as a deterrent.
![A portrait of Musa al-Sadr sits amid the rubble of a destroyed building in the heavily damaged, Hezbollah stronghold town of Aita al Chaab on June 29, 2024 in Aita al Chaab, Lebanon. Hezbollah and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been trading cross-border fire since the October 7 attacks, with the conflict escalating in May when the group launched a missile-carrying drone against Israel for the first time. The conflict intensified in June when Hezbollah fired hundreds of rockets and drones at Israeli m](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2024-07/GettyImages-2159834748.jpg?h=4296c093&itok=iuOsSvRF)
G42-Microsoft partnership in Kenya 'just the beginning,' says UAE trade minister
In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi discusses momentum in UAE trade with the US, the benefits of economic diversification and Africa’s priority in UAE trade policy.
![Indonesian President Joko Widodo (L) listens to a speech by United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi (R) during the inauguration of the newly built floating solar power plant on the water that can generate 192 mega watts of peak electricity in cooperation between the Indonesian government and Masdar from the UAE, at Cirata Reservoir, West Java, on November 9, 2023. (Photo by BAY ISMOYO / AFP) (Photo by BAY ISMOYO/AFP via Getty Images)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2024-06/GettyImages-1771551969.jpg?h=1dfc45c8&itok=YsgRPZu4)