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.
Syrian Kurds proceed with federal structures despite Turkish threats
Washington gets the Erdogan treatment; Syrian Kurds establish federal institutions; Hamas closes Iranian charity.
![U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L) attends a bilateral meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Washington March 31, 2016. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts - RTSD01S](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2016/04/RTSD01S.jpg/RTSD01S.jpg?h=88919d9c&itok=LNXtBV1X)
Kerry notes 'beneficial reduction' in Syrian violence
Syrian "cessation of hostilities” holding at one month as Islamic State loses ground; Masoud Barzani says US is turning a “blind eye” to Syrian Kurdish ally’s links to PKK.
![RTSC0AR.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2016/03/RTSC0AR.jpg/RTSC0AR.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=DpLgiVFI)
Kerry notes 'beneficial reduction' in Syrian violence
Syrian cessation of hostilities holding at one month as Islamic State loses ground; Massoud Barzani says United States is turning a “blind eye” to Syrian Kurdish ally’s links to the Kurdistan Workers Party.
![Men store bags of flour unloaded from a Red Crescent aid convoy in the rebel held besieged town of Jesreen, in the eastern Damascus suburb of Ghouta, Syria March 7, 2016. REUTERS/Bassam Khabieh TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTS9Q41](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2016/03/RTS9Q41.jpg/RTS9Q41.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=i4dCVIjC)
Erdogan takes authoritarian rule to new heights in war on PKK
Terrorist bombing in Turkey kills two Americans as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan resurrects "thought crimes" in confronting critics; Is Iran a spoiler in Palestinian politics? Israel cool to feelers from Sudan.
![RTSBBXE.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2016/03/RTSBBXE.jpg/RTSBBXE.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=A1TJxgCm)
Erdogan intensifies assault on independent media
US State Department calls on Turkey to respect "democratic values"; Israel considers Erdogan a "lost cause," sees Putin winning "on all counts."
![RTS9NYY.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2016/03/RTS9NYY.jpg/RTS9NYY.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=bdUTQ9a3)
Is Israeli-Palestinian two-state solution almost dead?
Iran poised to exploit the declining fortunes of the Palestinian Authority as Israel expands West Bank settlements; Syrian government forces prepare for a showdown in Raqqa; The Washington Post refers to Jaish al-Islam as a "rebel" group; Al-Monitor Syria Timeline includes commentary from Ambassador Ryan Crocker and others.
![RTS9BJS.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2016/03/RTS9BJS.jpg/RTS9BJS.jpg?h=bed6b7d7&itok=h2DLvoFe)
Is Turkey 'on the hook' regarding Syria cease-fire?
US-Russia agreement on Syria is a possible breakthrough in peace efforts; Erdogan calls US alliance with Syrian Kurds a “Great Lie.”
![Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan (2nd L), Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu (L) and Turkish Army Chief of Staff General Hulusi Akar (3rd L) look on as honour guard carry the flag-draped coffin of Army officer Seckin Cil during a funeral ceremony in Ankara, Turkey, February 18, 2016. Army officer Seckin Cil was killed during the clashes between Turkish security forces and Kurdish militants in Sur district of the southeastern city of Diyarbakir. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RTX27J7E](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2016/02/RTX27J7E.jpg/RTX27J7E.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=mDpTw_-f)
Does Hezbollah seek Israel’s elimination? 'Not so,' says Nasrallah
Hezbollah leader says group will not open new front against Israel; Turkey’s two-front war; battles for Aleppo “unlike any others”; Saudi military exercise provides distraction.
![Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah addresses his supporters through a giant screen during a rally commemorating the annual Hezbollah Martyrs' Leader Day in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon February 16, 2016. REUTERS/Aziz Taher - RTX278R4](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2016/02/RTX278R4.jpg/RTX278R4.jpg?h=420b9009&itok=4BNGZR-U)
Turkey threatens fragile Syria peace accord
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the United States is responsible for "sea of blood" in Syria as Turkey attacks Syrian Kurds; Ankara and Riyadh raise specter of ground operations in Syria.
![A woman makes her way through the rubble of damaged buildings after airstrikes by pro-Syrian government forces in the rebel held town of Dael, in Deraa Governorate, Syria February 12, 2016. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Faqir - RTX26N2E](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2016/02/RTX26N2E.jpg/RTX26N2E.jpg?h=077ac243&itok=xwDr8BAr)
Is Russia helping the US win in Syria?
Russian air power and Syrian forces are pounding terrorists and their allies, while taking a terrible toll on civilians; keep Turkey out of Syria.
![RTX1ZBXX.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2016/02/RTX1ZBXX.jpg/RTX1ZBXX.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=fOkyeE2B)
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)