Week in Review

Iran | Aug 4, 2023

Biden considers raising stakes for escalation with Iran in Gulf

Iraq’s quiet may be misleading; Israel-Hezbollah tensions increase; Russia depends more on Iran than the reverse; Raisi visits Africa.

Israel | Jul 28, 2023

Analysis

Iran should be catalyst for Israel-Saudi normalization

Saudi-Israeli diplomatic relations could also give a financial and political boost to the moribund two-state solution.

US President Joe Biden is welcomed by Mecca province governor Prince Khaled al-Faisal (white robe) and Princess Reema bint Bandar Al-Saud (L), Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Washington, at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah, upon his arrival from Israel, on July 15, 2022.

Iran | Jul 21, 2023

Is Iran getting the Biden administration’s message on Russia?

Observers report internal debates in the Islamic Republic over supplying drones; Netanyahu racks up three invitations in one week to talk with counterparts in other nations.

Iran | Jul 14, 2023

Analysis

US, West turn up heat on Iran over Ukraine

Also: An October benchmark for the Iran nuclear deal could turn into a showdown over Ukraine, while signaling the end of the JCPOA.

Iran | Jul 7, 2023

Analysis

Iran’s new nuclear normal gets boost from oil exports

Also: The Islamic Republic cracks down on the hijab "conspiracy" while suffering brain drain; researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov abducted by Iraqi militia.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (L) meets with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi in Tehran on March 4, 2023.

Syria | Jun 30, 2023

Putin’s Syria policy hangs on amid Russian crackdown on Wagner

Israeli-Saudi normalization linked to Netanyahu White House visit; Israel’s booming arms exports; Turkey-Sweden ties strained ahead of NATO summit; would an 'informal' Iran deal require congressional review?

Gulf | Jun 23, 2023

Macron, MBS see future in French-Saudi partnership

Saudi crown prince spends an action-packed week in Paris, including Global Financing Summit; Gulf eyes greater share of crypto market; is Netanyahu losing control?; why Jenin and Nablus remain hotbeds of Palestinian resistance.

France's President Emmanuel Macron greets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as he arrives at presidential Elysee Palace in Paris, on June 16, 2023.

Iran | Jun 16, 2023

Analysis

US détente with Iran combines diplomacy, deterrence

Also: Iran seeks to do just enough to comply with IAEA safeguards, while avoiding snapback sanctions over missiles and drones.

A staff removes the Iranian flag from the stage after a group picture with foreign ministers and representatives of Unites States, Iran, China, Russia, Britain, Germany, France and the European Union during the Iran nuclear talks at the Vienna International Center in Vienna on July 14, 2015.

Saudi Arabia | Jun 9, 2023

Analysis

Blinken, Saudi FM back away from ‘zero sum’ approach to China

The US secretary of state advanced a reset in Saudi policy in his visit to the kingdom, as nuclear negotiations may define a new phase of energy and security ties.