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’s long shadow from Vienna to Baghdad and beyond
More may be riding on the JCPOA talks than just the fate of Iran’s nuclear program.
![Iran nuclear](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2022-08/GettyImages-1242297337.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=B7Bu0bEe)
Far from the front, Tunisia suffers because of Ukraine war
Grain shipment deal mediated by UN and Erdogan offers a ‘beacon of hope’ in a food crisis worsened by distant conflict.
![Tunisia](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2022-07/GettyImages-1242131103.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=9KAUHdIU)
The important counternarrative on Biden’s Middle East trip
Symbolism matters, but progress matters more — and there was progress.
![Biden Saudi Arabia](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2022-07/GettyImages-1241932959.jpg?h=1d34674f&itok=jt3fwjU0)
Biden visit to Israel a ‘mixed bag’ because of differences on Iran
Meeting between US and Palestinian presidents described as ‘warm’; UAE opts out of anti-Iran alliance; Biden agenda may include Saudi-American families banned from traveling.
![US President Joe Biden (C-L) takes part in a working session with Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (C-R) at the Al Salam Royal Palace in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah, on July 15, 2022.](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2022-07/GettyImages-1241917849.jpg?h=1d34674f&itok=ZEj5DO4W)
Ahead of Biden Mideast trip, Iran nuclear deal looms large
US president to blend diplomacy and deterrence in approach to Iran, region.
![Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (L) meets Josep Borell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (R), as Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS) Enrique Mora (C) looks on, at the foreign ministry headquarters in Iran's capital Tehran on June 25, 2022.](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2022-07/GettyImages-1241518285.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=4rs_Rbfq)
Not so fast: Erdogan still holds cards on NATO bids by Sweden, Finland
If conditions are not met, Turkey's president says it is "out of the question" that the Turkish parliament will take up Sweden and Finland's NATO membership issue; avoiding a further US-Turkish meltdown; is Syria invasion on hold?
![Erdogan Nato](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2022-07/GettyImages-1406036334.jpg?h=1d34674f&itok=trCa6yF1)
Don’t write off the Iran nuclear deal just yet
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi still wants and needs the JCPOA more than Biden.
![Borrell](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2022-06/GettyImages-1241474929.jpg?h=1d34674f&itok=X9FJqeMS)
Biden approach to Saudi Arabia echoes Bush’s China policy after Tiananmen Square
Also: Washington and Riyadh seek to break Sudan deadlock; Syrian factions unite against Turkey.
![Biden](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2022-06/GettyImages-1403489956_0.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=jXpTbHiG)
Does Erdogan have a green light from Russia to move into Syria?
The US and Iran oppose the planned Turkish operation, as Erdogan digs in further on Finland and Sweden’s NATO bids, and warns Greece on the Aegean Islands.
![Erdogan](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2022-06/GettyImages-1241178035.jpg?h=1d34674f&itok=oQCKhxV9)
Erdogan: Sweden, Finland need to ‘act accordingly’ toward Kurdish groups for approval on NATO bids
The Turkish president repeated these points while announcing another military operation into Syria.
![Erdogan](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2022-06/GettyImages-1240741333.jpg?h=1d34674f&itok=E19aRHIE)
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)