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WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 23: U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) walks out of the Senate Chamber on Capitol Hill on April 23, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Senate takes up a $95 billion foreign aid package today for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

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Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 9:51 pm

Senate rejects bid to block key arms transfers to Israel

Lawmakers rejected three separate measures aimed at halting transfers of explosive shells and bomb guidance kits to Israel, despite a clear-cut case laid out by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and others that the Biden administration is violating US law.

United States

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese border village of Khiam on Nov. 20, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Analysis

Israel seeking US security guarantees to clinch Lebanon deal: What we know

As cease-fire talks advance with Lebanon, Israel might agree to a letter from the US that would guarantee its ability to retaliate to violations by Hezbollah to 1701 framework.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Iran's head of the Atomic Energy Organization, Mohammad Eslami, speaks during a joint press conference with the United Nations nuclear chief in Tehran on Nov. 14, 2024.

Iran threatens 'proportionate' response as IAEA censure looms

Iranian officials have repeatedly denied pursuit of nuclear weapons. In recent months, however, the rhetoric from state media and hard-liners has increasingly shifted.

Iran

After UAE visit, Qatari PM holds talks in Iran as Hamas officials depart Doha

A Gulf political official told Al-Monitor on Wednesday that the Qatari prime minister's visit to the UAE is designed to communicate Doha's new policy toward Hamas, where it seeks to be more in alignment with them regarding the group.

Qatar

Chinese President Xi Jinping (shakes hands with Saudi Arabian Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the G20 Summit on Sept. 4, 2016, in Hangzhou, China.

Saudi Arabia, Iran, China slam Israel at Riyadh meeting: What we know

The China-Saudi Arabia-Iran Trilateral Joint Committee met for the second time in the Saudi capital, more than a year after the Chinese-brokered deal that resumed relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Saudi Arabia

Latest News

Shootings in Daraa leave 9 dead as instability plagues Syria’s south

Syria

US vetoes UN resolution demanding Gaza cease-fire

United States

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US envoy advances Israel-Lebanon cease-fire talks as Hezbollah says decision with Netanyahu

Lebanon

Egypt to launch first IPO in three years amid IMF-fueled privatization drive

Egypt

A lot of work still needed to be done said Grossi

UN nuclear chief welcomes Iran's 'concrete step' on uranium stockpile

Agence France-Presse

Israel escalated its operations against Hezbollah in late September

Hezbollah says Israel 'cannot impose conditions' for truce

Agence France-Presse

The UN nuclear watchdog's board of governors will this week discuss a resolution critical of Iran

UN watchdog chief welcomes Iran nuclear gesture as Western powers seek censure

Agence France-Presse

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said the death toll from the war has reached 43,972 people, the majority of whom are civilians

US vetoes Gaza ceasefire call at UN

Agence France-Presse

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On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

What will Middle East policy look like under the new Trump administration?

Amberin Zaman interviews Jim Jeffrey

The Al-Monitor Brief

Why Turkey’s proposed ‘foreign agent’ law is worrying civil society

Kristen Talman interviews Ezgi Akin

The Al-Monitor Brief

Trump heads back to Washington amid shifted Gulf dynamics

Kristen Talman interviews Jennifer Gnana

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Interview

Senior Palestinian official Jibril Rajoub calls for 'Marshall-like plan' to rebuild Gaza

Jibril Rajoub

Fatah Central Committee Secretary-General

Interview

Syrian Kurdish commander: Turkey-PKK talks doomed if aimed at collapsing Kurds' self rule in Syria

Mazlum Kobane

SDF commander in chief

Interview

NATO deepens engagement with Iraq as US prepares to withdraw

Lieutenant General Lucas Schreurs of the Netherlands assumes command of the NATO Mission to Iraq (NMI) in Baghdad, May 24, 2024.

Commander of NATO Mission Iraq

Lucas Schreurs

Interview

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

Luigi di Maio

EU Special Representative for the Gulf

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)

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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

Solar pannels cover the rooftops of the buildings of the Makhtar boarding school on September 29, 2022, in the Tunisian central-west region of the same name. - The Makthar boarding school, a unique business initiative is both generating income and opening pupils' minds to the outside world. Lotfi Hamadi, founder of the NGO "Wallah (Swear to God) We Can", is hoping that helping schools boost their resources through food and energy production can breathe new life into Tunisia's failing, cash-strapped educatio

Tunisia’s green hydrogen strategy will need domestic stakeholders

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

As Netanyahu warms to Israel-Lebanon deal, US role comes into play

A photo taken from the southern Lebanese coastal city of Tyre shows smoke billowing following an Israeli airstrike which targeted the area of al-Hosh on the outskirts of Tyre, on November 19, 2024. (Photo by KAWNAT HAJU / AFP) (Photo by KAWNAT HAJU/AFP via Getty Images)

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

Trump already shaking up Mideast diplomacy on Iran

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a rally during the early-morning hours of election day on Nov. 5, 2024 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

By Andrew Parasiliti

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security

Analysis

Relations between France, Algeria grow cooler over Morocco ties

French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron embark on an aircraft at the airport of Sale, north of Rabat, on Oct. 30, 2024.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

Israel seeking US security guarantees to clinch Lebanon deal: What we know

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

ALM Events

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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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