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A general view shows warships docked at Hamad Port during the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference (DIMDEX), in the Qatari capital Doha on March 20, 2022.

Analysis

As Qatar looks to modernize navy, Turkey and Italy emerge as dominant players

Qatar's navy ambitions are broad and impressive, but can they be sustained?

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

A wounded Palestinian man receives treatment at Al-Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza City, where the Civil Defence agency said an Israeli air strike killed four people

Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 22 Palestinians

Agence France-Presse

A Syrian refugee gestures as she speaks with Turkish soldiers at Cilvegozu crossborder gate before entering in Syria at Reyhanli district in Hatay, on December 9, 2024. Islamist-led rebels declared on December 8, 2024, that they have taken the Syrian capital in a lightning offensive, sending President Bashar al-Assad fleeing and ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP) (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

Feature

‘Immense joy and disbelief’: Syrians in Turkey want to return, but uncertainty prevails

While celebrating President Bashar al-Assad's fall, many Syrians in Turkey remain cautious about returning until more stability and security are assured.

By A correspondent in Turkey

Feature

Buoyed by Assad's ouster in Syria, Palestinians hope for end to Gaza war

Palestinians in Gaza are hoping the fall of Assad in Syria will lead to an end of the Israeli war and occupation.

By Rasha Abou Jalal

In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

TOPSHOT - An aerial view shows a Syrian man waving the independence-era Syrian flag at Damascus' central Umayyad Square on December 11, 2024. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP) (Photo by BAKR ALKASEM/AFP via Getty Images)

Feature

Dispatch from Damascus: Syrians celebrate end of Assad reign in shadow of atrocities

From horror to hope, Syrians are embracing a new political order as they turn the page on the Assad dynasty and grieve the ones they lost in atrocities by the toppled regime.

By Danny Makki

In London, reporting on Syrian politics and culture

Latest News

Analysis

From war to governance: Hamas challenged by security vacuum in Gaza

Children reach out with bowls, hoping to receive food during a distribution in Gaza City, with the population facing increasing hunger due to closed crossings. Oct. 21, 2024.

By Abeer Ayyoub

In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine

Analysis

Despite Assad's departure, Iran sees opportunity in Syria power play

Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei spoke in Tehran about recent developments in region on Dec. 11, 2024.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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Keep up with Al-Monitor's top stories with a morning digest from across the region.

Analysis

Israel builds flexible presence in Syria as window opens to strike Iran

By Ben Caspit

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Russia, HTS in 'direct contact' to keep bases in Syria: What we know

Syria

A fighter rips a portrait of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, in a building in Qusayr

Syrians return to ruined homes in city that became Hezbollah hub

Agence France-Presse

Syria's Baath party under the Assad dynasty was a feared instrument of repression

Once a leading force, Assad's Baath party wiped off Mideast politics: analysts

Agence France-Presse

Riad al-Asaad defected from the Syrian air force early in the war to found the Free Syrian Army

Back in Damascus, rebel leader confident of post-Assad unity

Agence France-Presse

Students stand on the toppled statue of late president Hafez al-Assad during a rally near Damascus University

Damascus students say 'finally feel free' after Assad's ouster

Agence France-Presse

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Three stories hand-picked by our editorial team.

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On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Turkish lawmaker Cengiz Candar: 'Turkey's endgame is to destroy Kurdish autonomy in Syria'

Amberin Zaman interviews Cengiz Candar

38:22

The Al-Monitor Brief

How does US view the rebel advance in Syria?

Adam Lucente interviews Elizabeth Hagedorn & Jared Szuba

13:40

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

How Turkey is playing with fire in Syria with its backing of new anti-Assad offensive

Amberin Zaman interviews Fabrice Balanche

26:24

ALM Interviews

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Interview

Syrian Kurd FM Ilham Ahmed says PKK leader Ocalan's words of 'vital importance'

Ilham Ahmed

Co-President of the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria

Interview

Lebanon’s ex-spymaster says Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire close

Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim

Former Lebanese intelligence chief

Interview

EU escorted over 200 ships in Red Sea amid Gulf maritime threats, envoy says

NUSA DUA, INDONESIA - JULY 08: The Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi (R) greets the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luigi Di Maio (L) during arrival of the G20 Foreign Ministers and Head of Department at the Grand Ballroom Mulia Hotel on July 08, 2022 in Nusa Dua, Indonesia. (Photo by Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images)

Luigi di Maio

EU Special Representative for the Gulf

Interview

US-allied Syrian Kurdish woman commander: ISIS poised to carry 'fight to new level'

Rojhelat Afrin

Women’s Protection Units Commander in Chief

ALM Memos

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This picture taken on December 18, 2018 shows a view of electricity transmission towers in the Saudi capital Riyadh. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia's electricity sector to see significant transformation by 2030

Gerald Kepes

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy trends

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 30: A container ship departs the Port of Newark for the Atlantic Ocean on September 30, 2024 seen from New York City. A massive strike that could shut down ports across the East and Gulf coasts could begin at midnight as members of the International Longshoremen’s Association continue to make salary and other demands to the United States Maritime Alliance, which controls many of the ports across the country. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Red Sea, Iran energy threats amplify 2025 global economic risks as trade wars, Trump loom

Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Cars drive along a street in front of high-rise buildings in Dubai, on February 18, 2023. - Home to towering skyscrapers and ultra-luxury villas, Dubai saw record real estate transactions in 2022, largely due to an influx of wealthy investors, especially from Russia. (Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP) (Photo by KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)

UAE aims to attract family offices to boost stature as wealth hub

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

EU seeks channels with HTS as it grapples with post-Assad Syria

Members of the Syrian community in Berlin hold flags of Syria and Germany as they celebrate the collapse of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government, Dec. 8, 2024.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

From war to governance: Hamas challenged by security vacuum in Gaza

By Abeer Ayyoub

In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine

Analysis

Despite Assad's departure, Iran sees opportunity in Syria power play

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

As Qatar looks to modernize navy, Turkey and Italy emerge as dominant players

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

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Past Live Journalism

UAE presidential advisor HE Dr. Anwar Gargash speaks at Al-Monitor event during UNGA

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York City, Al-Monitor hosted HE Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the UAE, for an off-the-record dinner and discussion at Le Jardinier of the Bastion Collection. The event was attended by thought and business leaders as well as former officials.

New York City, NY

September 26, 2024 18:00 EDT

Past Live Journalism

Iraq PM Sudani speaks at Al-Monitor/US Chamber of Commerce event during UNGA

At an event hosted by Al-Monitor and the US Chamber of Commerce, the prime minister discussed Iraq’s plan to achieve energy independence by 2030 and his desire to drawdown the US military presence in the country.

New York City, NY

September 25, 2024 18:00 EDT

Past Live Journalism

Salon conversation with Turkey's Ambassador to the US Sedat Önal

Al-Monitor hosted the ambassador of Turkey to the United States, Sedat Önal, for an off-the-record discussion on a wide range of topics such as Turkey-US relations, the Gaza war and Turkey's military intervention in Syria. The event was attended by guests from media, private business, and government.

Washington, DC

September 12, 2024 16:00 EDT

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