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ISIS brides face uncertain future as Damascus clashes with Syria’s Kurds

With Syrian government forces taking over nearby al-Hol and security breaking down, families of ISIS fighters at Roj Camp live in fear and uncertainty.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki answers reporters' questions during a news conference with US President Barack Obama in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on Dec. 12, 2011, in Washington.

What’s next for Iraq as Nouri al-Maliki gets nominated for PM?

Maliki, who resigned after the 2014 ISIS offensive, has been nominated by Iraq’s largest parliamentary alliance but must still be formally nominated by the next president and form a government that secures parliamentary approval.

Iraq

US President Donald Trump looks on after the "Board of Peace" meeting during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on Jan. 22, 2026.

Trump says Iran seeks deal as US aircraft carrier arrives in Middle East

Iranian officials have signaled they are open to nuclear talks but unwilling to compromise on enrichment.

Iran

Yemen’s Houthis hint at Red Sea attacks as US-Iran tensions rise: What to know

The Houthi warnings come as a US aircraft carrier accompanied by several guided missile destroyers entered Gulf waters amid tensions with Iran.

Iran

In this handout photo provided by the US Navy, the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln transits the Strait of Hormuz as an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the Nightdippers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5 lifts off from the flight deck, Nov. 19, 2019.

USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group reaches Middle Eastern waters

The carrier's presence gives the White House greater options to authorize strikes deep within Iranian territory while reducing the potential risk of regional blowback.

Iran

Latest News

Israel recovers final Gaza hostage, Rafah crossing set to reopen: What to know

Truck carrying aid enters Gaza through the border crossing on Oct. 12, 2025, in Rafah, Egypt.

Israel

UAE firm’s $1.7B legal threat spotlights Gulf split on Lebanon as Qatar invests

Lebanon

Syria leans on Jordan, regional gas deals to rebuild energy sector

Syria

Analysis

No strings attached: UAE, India deepen defense ties, balk at mutual guarantees

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet in New Delhi, Jan. 19, 2026.

By Francesco Schiavi

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

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Women walk with Syrian flags, after Syria and the main Kurdish fighting force SDF struck a wide-ranging deal to bring Kurdish civilian and military authorities under central government control on Sunday, ending days of fighting in which Syrian troops captured territory including key oil fields, in Raqqa, Syria January 19, 2026. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri

Syria hopes to hold new integration talks with Kurdish forces on Tuesday

Reuters

Members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attend an IRGC ground forces military drill in the Aras area, East Azerbaijan province, Iran, October 17, 2022. IRGC/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS

Iran summons Italian ambassador over push for EU clampdown on Revolutionary Guards, state media says

Reuters

Members of the Syrian security forces stand guard outside al-Aqtan prison, where some Islamic State detainees are held, in Raqqa, Syria January 23, 2026. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri

UK, US, Germany and France urge adherence to ceasefire in Syria

Reuters

An ambulance stands following the report of French tourists being killed when a boat capsized off the coast of Oman, according to the Omani police, in Muttrah, Oman, in this handout image relased on January 27, 2026. Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority - Sultanate of Oman/Handout via REUTERS

Three French tourists killed when boat capsizes off Oman coast

Reuters

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Gaza peace board, Greenland dominate at World Economic Forum: View from Davos

Adam Lucente interviews Jack Dutton

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What’s next for Syria’s Kurds, US policy after latest ceasefire?

Adam Lucente interviews Amberin Zaman

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The Al-Monitor Brief

Iran protests: What’s at stake for US, Middle East as Trump deliberates?

Adam Lucente interviews Jared Szuba, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Rina Bassist, Ezgi Akin, Rosaleen Carroll

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Grossi: IAEA seeks return to Syria as Kurdish unrest delays nuclear inspections

Rafael Grossi

IAEA Director General

Interview

Saudi Arabia keeps doors open to US, China in critical minerals race

Bandar Alkhorayef

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources

Interview

Yadlin: Israel’s regime-change goal in Iran remote without US 'boots on the ground'

Amos Yadlin

Former head of Israel's Military Intelligence Directorate

Interview

Qualcomm sees growing demand for edge AI in the Middle East

Wassim Chourbaji

Qualcomm president for the Middle East & Africa

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Can newly unified Arab Israeli bloc bridge gaps to block Netanyahu next election?

Four Arab Israeli parties join forces ahead of Israel's next elections.

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

Analysis

Syria retakes SDF oil fields, but security concerns cloud investment hopes

Naaman Abu Faisal, a worker at a filter station in the al-Omar oil field, in the Deir ez-Zor governorate, is seen on Jan. 22, 2026.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

Turkey’s Syria gains come with risks as Damascus pushes Kurdish integration

Turkish Foreign Ministery Press Service / AFP via Getty Images

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

No strings attached: UAE, India deepen defense ties, balk at mutual guarantees

By Francesco Schiavi

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

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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Iraqis prepare to head to the polls

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Amberin Zaman Reports from Damascus

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Elizabeth Hagedorn Reporting from UNGA in New York

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AL-Monitor Global Institute hosts food security forum with Dr. Conrad Rein

On October 16, 2025, the AL-Monitor Global Institute hosted Dr. Conrad Rein, Secretary of the Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security, alongside representatives from multilateral development banks and the private sector for a discussion on food security in the Middle East and Africa.

Washington, DC

October 16, 2025 11:00 EDT

Past Live Journalism

AL-Monitor Global Institute hosts Digital Cooperation Organization Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya

On Sept. 21, 2025, the AL-Monitor Global Institute hosted Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization, for a discussion on digital inclusion and economic empowerment in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

New York, NY

September 21, 2025 17:00 EDT

Past Live Journalism

Iraqi Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani at AL-Monitor Global Institute

AL-Monitor Global Institute hosts Iraqi Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and US Energy Secretary Chris Wright

On May 22, 2025, the AL-Monitor Global Institute hosted Prime Minister Masrour Barzani of the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq and US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright in Washington DC to discuss the future of power and energy in Iraq’s Kurdistan region.

Washington, DC

May 22, 2025 10:30 EDT

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