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This picture taken on Aug. 23, 2019 in Istanbul shows a view of Turkish General Directorate of Mineral research and Exploration's (MTA) Oruc Reis seismic research vessel docked at Haydarpasa port, which searches for hydrocarbon, oil, natural gas and coal reserves at sea.

Analysis

Turkey moves into Somalia’s untapped oil, raises stakes in Horn of Africa

Turkey’s plan to start drilling in 2026 marks its most assertive bid yet to secure a strategic foothold in Somalia, as Mogadishu continues to fight an Islamist insurgency.

Barin Kayaoglu

מאת Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Buildroid AI

Interview

Robots can solve UAE construction labor shortage, says Buildroid AI

The US startup announced that it will launch the UAE’s first block-laying robot to speed up real estate and infrastructure projects in the Gulf country.

Yemeni employees walk at the Aden oil refinery company in Yemen's port city of Aden on Sept. 29, 2015.

Analysis

Yemen’s oil heartland fuels new conflict as STC seeks new political power

By targeting Yemen’s oil-rich regions, the Southern Transitional Council has positioned itself to alter power balances nationally and strengthen its bid for an independent state in the south.

Samuel Wendel

מאת Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

The ancient ruins of Palmyra are pictured in central Syria at sunrise on Aug. 24, 2025.

Two US soldiers, interpreter killed in ISIS ambush in Syria, Pentagon says

The deadliest attack on American troops in Syria in years comes as the Pentagon aims to reduce its footprint while building trust with Damascus-aligned forces to take on ISIS together.

Donald Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner (L), White House special envoy Steve Witkoff (C) and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attend a meeting between President Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (not pictured) at a summit on Gaza in Sharm el-Sheikh, Oct. 13, 2025.

Analysis

How the Trump administration reshaped US diplomacy toward Hamas

Unlike previous administrations, Trump’s team has engaged directly and openly with the Palestinian group — without congressional or public blowback.

מאת Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Latest News

Analysis

Stunt or recalibration? Israel's Raam to break with Muslim Brotherhood

Head of Israel's Raam, Mansour Abbas, speaks at his campaign headquarters in the northern Israeli city of Tamra before national election polls close, on Nov. 1, 2022

Rina Bassist

מאת Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

Militant merger in Iran’s Baluchestan signals new threat to Tehran

Iranian soldiers keep watch at a patrol post in Zabol, southeastern Iran, near the Afghan border, on Oct. 10, 2012.

A correspondent in Tehran

מאת A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Culture

Egypt’s koshary, Gulf’s bisht gain UNESCO recognition

A woman sells koshary after the Eid prayer in Abu Sir village on April 21, 2023, in Giza, Egypt.

Exclusive

Inside Netanyahu’s pressure campaign to block Turkey, Saudi Arabia from acquiring F-35s

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin (L) talks to U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on April 7, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump is meeting with Netanyahu to discuss ongoing efforts to release Israeli hostages from Gaza and newly imposed U.S. tariffs. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

מאת Ben Caspit

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

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi speaks during a meeting with foreign ambassadors in Tehran, Iran, July 12, 2025. Hamid Forootan/Iranian Foreign Ministry/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS

Iran's foreign minister to visit Russia and Belarus, foreign ministry says

Reuters

The Islamic State destroyed many of Palmyra's famed historic artefacts when it occupied the area a decade ago

Trump vows revenge after troops in Syria killed in alleged IS ambush

Agence France-Presse

Palestinians inspect the site of the Israeli strike

Israel says it killed Hamas weapons chief in Gaza

Agence France-Presse

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a car in Gaza City, December 13, 2025.REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas

Israeli military targets senior Hamas commander in Gaza strike

Reuters

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The Al-Monitor Brief

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Why are Gulf investors partaking in Paramount's bid to take over Warner Bros?

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Yazidis shunned Iraq’s corrupt practices and scored a historic win in parliamentary elections

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ALM Interviews

Exclusive conversations with Al-Monitor.

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Interview

התחזית של אולמרט: ישראל תלך לבחירות שלישיות

Interview

איראן שלחה הודעות בערוץ האחורי של ארה"ב על סיכון למלחמה אזורית רחבה יותר, אומר שר החוץ

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian

Foreign Minister of Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian listens to a question during a press conference with his Saudi counterpart (not pictured) in Tehran, on June 17, 2023.

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

השב"כ נדיר, מפגש פלסטיני כאשר החשש מפני מתיחות הרמדאן גובר

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Rina Bassist

מאת Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

ראש ההגנה של צרפת דוחק ל-3 שערים בביקור ישראל

Shahar Yorman/Israeli Defense Ministry

Rina Bassist

מאת Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

האם ארה"ב יכולה ללחוץ על נתניהו לקבל את המדינה הפלסטינית לנורמליזציה ישראל-סעודית?

US President Joe Biden shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they meet on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Sept. 20, 2023.

מאת Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

מה עומד מאחורי שלל התקפות דאעש באירופה?

Adam Lucente

מאת Adam Lucente , Rosaleen Carroll

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addresses media after a visit at the site of a knife attack in Solingen, Western Germany, on August 26, 2024.

Amberin Zaman, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Danny Makki, Joyce Karam in a virtual discussion on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to Washington

Syria's Sharaa in Washington

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Joe Snell

Iraqis prepare to head to the polls

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Amberin Zaman in Damascus

Amberin Zaman Reports from Damascus

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Elizabeth Hagedorn at UNGA in New York

Elizabeth Hagedorn Reporting from UNGA in New York

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In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

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In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

רשא אבו ג'לאל

In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict