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US special envoy for Syria and Ambassador to Turkey Thomas Barrack attends a flag-raising ceremony at the US ambassador's residence in Damascus on May 29, 2025.

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US envoy Barrack to meet Kurdish SDF chief Kobane in bid to avoid Syria escalation

The US special envoy to Syria is expected to meet SDF leader Mazlum Kobane in Erbil amid mounting tensions that threaten to unravel a fragile agreement between the Kurdish-led administration and Damascus.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

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Signs of Trump-Iran deescalation as US troops return to Qatar base

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From Egypt to Lebanon: What’s at stake for regional states on Trump’s visa ban list?

The State Department claimed that citizens from the affected countries are more likely to use social welfare services at a high rate.

Algeria

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (R) shakes hands with Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during press conference in Tehran on Nov. 30, 2025.

Analysis

Why Iran regime’s potential collapse spells more risk than benefit for Turkey

Iran’s leadership faces its most serious unrest in years, and rising Kurdish mobilization makes the prospect of regime collapse particularly risky for Turkey.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Latest News

As Trump eyes possible Iran exit strategy, China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey push for restraint

Iran

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

Analysis

Bruised, not broken: Iran’s regime shows no deep structural cracks — yet

Fires are lit as protesters rally on Jan. 8, 2026 in Tehran, Iran.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Tehran jams Starlink as Iranians take risks to skirt internet blackout

Iran

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Senator Durbin says Trump's pronouncements on Greenland 'do not reflect what the American people feel'

US congress members visit Denmark to support Greenland

Agence France-Presse

A person with a keffiyeh wrapped around their head takes part in a protest outside London's Old Bailey as four pro-Palestinian activists have pleaded not guilty to breaking into a British military air base and damaging two planes in protest against Britain's support for Israel, in London, Britain, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska

Five pro-Palestinian activists plead not guilty over UK military base break-in

Reuters

FILE PHOTO: Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis attends a joint press conference at the Foreign Ministry in Athens, Greece, October 14, 2025. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas/File Photo

Greece plans extension of territorial waters despite Turkish warning

Reuters

Mahdieh Esfandiari, who is Iranian, was arrested in France in February

French prosecutor seeks year in jail for Iranian over comments online

Agence France-Presse

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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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On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

As violent protests continue to rock Iran, country's long-reigning clerical regime has never looked as vulnerable

Amberin Zaman interviews Christopher de Bellaige

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The Al-Monitor Brief

South Yemen leader skips Riyadh talks as government advances: Implications for Saudi-UAE rift

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Gaza calm could revive East Med Forum, Israel-Jordan projects: Cohen

Eli Cohen

Israeli Energy Minister

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Top Syrian Kurdish official Foza Yusuf says war with Damascus lose-lose for all

Foza Yusuf

Top Syrian Kurdish official

Interview

Youth, strong AI adoption make MENA leading region for smartphones: OPPO

Lay Ren

President of OPPO MENA

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

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Bruised, not broken: Iran’s regime shows no deep structural cracks — yet

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

Trump dials up risky Iran tariffs that would hit China, UAE and others: What to know

Sadaf Ebrahimi walks down a row of demonstrators at Lafayette Park in front of the White House during the "Free Iran" rally on Jan 10, 2026, in Washington.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

Israel assesses Trump may opt for Iran strike despite protest crackdown

TEHRAN, IRAN - JANUARY 10: The heavily damaged Tax Affairs building is pictured on January 10, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. Some areas of Tehran sustained heavy damage during ongoing protests that came to a head on January 8, amid a growing economic and political crisis sweeping the country. (Photo by Stringer/Getty Images)

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

Why Iran regime’s potential collapse spells more risk than benefit for Turkey

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

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

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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

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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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