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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi meets with his Omani counterpart, Badr Albusaidi, ahead of talks with the US in Muscat, Oman on Feb. 6, 2026.

Analysis

Why Iran is facing hard choices after Oman nuclear talks

Iran and the United States ended Friday's talks in Muscat without a breakthrough, preserving diplomacy but deepening uncertainty as military pressure, hard-line rhetoric and military tensions intensify.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

A man holds a poster of Abdullah Ocalan, Turkish-jailed founder of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), during a gathering of Turkish Kurds for Nowruz celebrations in Diyarbakir, southeast Turkey, on March 21, 2025.

Analysis

Moving Iran talks from Turkey to Oman deepens Ankara’s PKK concerns

Ankara is brushing off Tehran’s venue switch to Oman, but fears Iran’s nuclear-only stance is shrinking diplomatic space and heightening the risk of US military escalation.

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

This picture shows a Syrian Arab Airlines Airbus A320-200 aircraft and the control tower at Damascus international airport as the new Syrian authorities prepare to reopen it, on December 16, 2024. Damascus's airspace reopened on December 12, the airport director told AFP, after a closure since December 8, when president Bashar al-Assad's government fell. Syrian Airlines aircraft maintenance director said takeoffs and landing would be decided by the transport ministry, adding that the carrier hoped to "expan

Analysis

Saudi-backed airline to test Syria’s aviation recovery

The new airline is already set to face leasing, financing and market obstacles.

By Jack Dutton

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Analysis

Oman talks leave Israel unsure of Trump's endgame as missile threat persists

Israel and the United States are tightly coordinated on intelligence, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is apparently in the dark on President Donald Trump's intentions in Iran.

By Ben Caspit

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

Archaeologists at the entrance of the Contrebandiers (Smugglers) Cave, some 12 miles from the Moroccan capital, Rabat, Sept. 18, 2021.

Culture

Fossil discovery repositions Morocco at center of human evolution 800,000 years ago

Once overlooked, Morocco has emerged as a focal point of human prehistory, with new discoveries and a landmark report reshaping what we know about our species’ evolution.

Morocco

Latest News

Iranian FM says US-Iran nuclear talks in Oman 'a good start'

Iran

US troops pull out of Shaddadi base in Syria: What to know

A person with a motorbike stands on the side of a road as US-led coalition plane operates at a base on Jan. 26, 2026 in Al-Shaddadi, Syria.

By Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Lebanon, Syria sign deal to transfer 300 Syrian prisoners: What we know

Lebanon

After Israel's FM visit, Iran defense chief in Azerbaijan, meets Aliyev

Iran

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Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during the funeral of Israeli hostage Ran Gvili, an off-duty police officer who was killed fighting militants that had infiltrated Israel during the deadly October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, and the last hostage recovered from Gaza whose remains were finally brought back to Israel on January 26, in the southern town of Meitar, Israel January 28, 2026. CHAIM GOLDBERG/Pool via REUTERS

Israel's Netanyahu expected to meet Trump in US on Wednesday and discuss Iran

Reuters

Buses in a US military convoy transporting Islamic State group detainees being transferred to Iraq from Syria

Over 2,200 IS detainees transferred to Iraq from Syria: Iraqi official

Agence France-Presse

Demonstrators watch on screen Iranian opposition leader Maryam Rajavi speaking on stage, during a protest organized by supporters of the Iranian opposition group, the National Council of Resistance of Iran, to demand an immediate stop to the violence against protesters in Iran and an end to detentions and repression, in Berlin, Germany, February 7, 2026. REUTERS/Axel Schmidt

Thousands protest in Berlin in solidarity with Iranian uprisings

Reuters

FILE PHOTO: Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 19, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo

Algeria begins to cancel air services agreement with UAE

Reuters

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Adam Lucente, Elizabeth Hagedorn and Rina Bassist

The Al-Monitor Brief

US-Iran nuclear talks kick off in Oman: Regional reactions and next steps

Adam Lucente interviews Elizabeth Hagedorn and Rina Bassist

13:21

The Al-Monitor Brief

Turkey out as host of US-Iran talks as Erdogan visits Saudi Arabia, Egypt

Adam Lucente interviews Ezgi Akin

11:45

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

What does future hold for Syria's Kurds after dramatic losses to Damascus?

Amberin Zaman interviews Meghan Bodette

26:28

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Interview

Qualcomm sees growing demand for edge AI in the Middle East

Wassim Chourbaji

Qualcomm president for the Middle East & Africa

Interview

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

YPG spokesman: Syrian forces' strategy is to isolate Kurdish towns and cities

Siyamend Ali

YPG spokesman

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Why Iran is facing hard choices after Oman nuclear talks

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

Oman talks leave Israel unsure of Trump's endgame as missile threat persists

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

Saudi-backed airline to test Syria’s aviation recovery

By Jack Dutton

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Analysis

Moving Iran talks from Turkey to Oman deepens Ankara’s PKK concerns

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Elizabeth Hagdeorn asking Rubio a question about negotiations with the Iranian government after its killing of protesters

Rubio tells Al-Monitor talks with Iran must address ballistic missiles, proxies

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2:22

Al-Monitor's Amberin Zaman inside an abandoned Russian military base in Qamishli, Syria

Inside Russia's abandoned military base in Northeast Syria

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1:55

Scenes from the inside of Saudi House at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, including the green Saudi Arabian flag standing next to a framed portrait of Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's crown prince.

Behind the Scenes at Davos - Saudi House

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2:05

Kurdish protesters gather outside of USA house in Davos, Switzerland at the World Economic Forum with flags of Kurdistan

Kurdish protesters gather outside USA House in Davos

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2:30

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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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