Week in Review

Turkey | May 26, 2023

Turkey’s Kilicdaroglu scapegoats Syrian refugees in bid to defeat Erdogan

Opposition leader sides with hard-liners advocating expulsion in last-ditch effort to unseat Erdogan in election that should turn on economy.

Israel | May 19, 2023

Analysis

Biden gives priority to Israel-Saudi normalization

All three parties want a deal, and 2024 is an election year; Syrian Kurdish leader expects little from Arab League normalization with Syria.

Turkey | May 12, 2023

Iraqi FM expects continuity in ties with Turkey, no matter who wins election

Fuad Hussein says TotalEnergies deal “would change character of Iraqi economy,” discusses relations with the United States, Iran, Syria and Arab states.

Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein gives a joint press conference with his German counterpart at the foreign ministry headquarters in Baghdad on March 7, 2023. (Photo by Murtaja LATEEF / AFP) (Photo by MURTAJA LATEEF/AFP via Getty Images)

Syria | May 6, 2023

Analysis

Assad will demand high price for return of refugees

Arab League at risk of getting caught between US and Syria over sanctions policy.

A woman sits outside a tent at a camp for those displaced by conflict in the countryside near Syria's northern city of Raqa on December 19, 2022. (Photo by Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP) (Photo by DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey | Apr 28, 2023

Analysis

Earthquake, refugees, Assad may be keys to Turkey's election

Also, new era of Iran-Gulf cooperation could spill over into energy (PRO).

Sudan | Apr 21, 2023

Can diplomacy end the fighting in Sudan?

Even if the country is too big to fail, observers see challenges in restoring peace before the unrest spreads to neighboring countries.

Syria | Apr 14, 2023

Arab initiative offers best chance for Syria in years

The Saudi-brokered meeting and Jordanian road map could boost the long stalled Syrian political process; Turkey is still key to settlement; Assad also has his cards to play.

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad (left) meets with Saudi Foreign Affairs Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Jeddah on April 12, 2023.

Gulf | Apr 6, 2023

Analysis

Is China playing long game against dollar in Middle East?

Chinese spokesperson says "the internationalization of the [yuan] is a natural process, and the goal is not to replace the dollar or other international currencies."