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Last Updated: July 1, 2026, 11:54 am

Syria announces Sharaa's parliamentary appointees, SDF Kurds sidelined

The Syrian government has announced the list of 70 members appointed to its transitional parliament.

Syria

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) shakes hands with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud before a family photo for the attendees of a meeting of foreign ministers from Arab and Muslim-majority nations at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing on November 20, 2023. The international community must take urgent action to stop the "humanitarian disaster" unfolding in Gaza, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told visiting diplomats from Arab and Muslim-majority nations on Novembe

Explainer

Saudi FM concludes China visit amid Trump-MBS friction: What to know

Saudi Arabia is still absorbing the war’s security fallout and is widening its circle by leaning more on Beijing as a diplomatic counterweight to Washington and as a partner that can engage Tehran.

China

Shia Muslim devotees gather for a mourning ritual near the shrine of Hassan Nasrallah, the slain leader of the Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah who was killed in a 2024 Israeli-airstrike, in Beirut's southern suburbs on June 26, 2026 at the peak of Ashura, a 10-day period commemorating the seventh century killing of Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussein. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

For Israel, Lebanon deal 'historic' despite fears Hezbollah will rebuild

While the deal with Lebanon allows the Israeli military to maintain a presence there, security experts warn that it also gives the weakened Hezbollah the time it needs to recover.

By Ben Caspit

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

Syrian textile employees work in a textile workshop in Gaziantep, Turkey, on Jan. 30, 2025.

Explainer

Turkey eases job rules for 1M+ Syrians under temporary protection: What to know

The move, part of a broader easing of restrictions on Syrians living in Turkey, could allow roughly 1.1 million working-age Syrians to enter registered employment more easily as Ankara seeks to reduce informal labor and address workforce gaps.

Turkey

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian listens during a joint press conference alongside Armenia's Prime Minister in Yerevan on August 19, 2025.

Analysis

Why Iran's Pezeshkian is facing an uphill battle in postwar diplomacy

As President Masoud Pezeshkian's administration advances dialogue with Washington, its fiercer contest is in the corridors of power within the Islamic Republic itself.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Latest News

3 IRGC members killed in twin attacks as Iran intensifies Kurdish crackdown

Iran

Culture

Egypt, Morocco, Algeria make World Cup history in knockout stage

Morocco

Druze gunmen, Syrian government forces clash in Suwayda: What to know

A Druze fighter stands at a roundabout draped with the Druze flag and a portrait of a local leader in the predominantly Druze city of Suwayda in southern Syria on July 21, 2025.

Syria

Kuwait's Zain eyes $1.5B mobile network in postwar Syria: What to know

Omar Albaw / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Syria

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Ali Khamenei: Key moments from his life

Agence France-Presse

US President Donald Trump speaks to the press before he boards Air Force One for his first flight aboard the Boeing 747-8 that Qatar gifted the United States to use for executive travel

'Excited' Trump takes first flight on Qatar-gifted Air Force One

Agence France-Presse

There has been criticism of the Iranian team by hardliners

'Smart' and 'very rational'? Iran's new leaders post-Ali Khamenei

Agence France-Presse

Mojtaba Khamenei has yet to be seen in public as supreme leader

Mojtaba Khamenei: Iran's unseen leader shadowed by late father

Agence France-Presse

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Expert insight on the Middle East—delivered regularly

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Middle East Minute

Syria’s Sharaa names appointees to parliament as US and Iran talk Hormuz

1 July, 8:48 AM ET

3:27

Middle East Minute

Morocco celebrates dramatic World Cup upset, Qatar hosts war talks

30 June, 8:35 AM ET

3:05

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Turkey’s World Cup meltdown is a milestone in unraveling of Erdogan’s reign, says Selim Koru

Selim Koru joins Amberin Zaman

25 June, 3:19 PM ET

22:16

Interviews

Exclusive conversations with AL-MONITOR.

See All

Interview

US-Egypt fund makes case for economic statecraft in hard power era

A worker counts banknotes after filling up the tank of a vehicle at a petrol station in Giza on March 10, 2026.

Cornelius Queen

Senior Vice President of the Egyptian-American Enterprise Fund

Interview

Franco-Gulf investment holds firm despite Iran war, French official says

French Trade & Invest Commissioner for United Arab Emirates and Middle East and Business France's regional director for the Middle East Axel Baroux. — Business France

Axel Baroux

France’s trade and investment commissioner for the UAE and Middle East

Interview

Armenia candidate Tatoyan eyes Pashinyan's pro-West mantle in sea of Russia-backed rivals

Arman Tatoyan

Founder, Wings of Unity Party

Interview

Saudi labor localization will take ‘generation or two': Armada CEO

Olivier Badard

CEO of Armada Holding

A student attends a training seminar at the Tourism Ministry Training center in the city of Riyadh on August 30, 2022.

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

For Israel, Lebanon deal 'historic' despite fears Hezbollah will rebuild

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

Iraqi PM’s anti-corruption drive comes as US pressure mounts on Iran-backed militias

aqi security personnel patrol in a vehicle along a street in Baghdad on June 28, 2026.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Analysis

Why the UAE wants Indian missiles and a deeper strategic partnership

Brahmos replicas are displayed during India's 60th Republic Day parade, Jan. 26, 2009, New Delhi.

By Francesco Schiavi

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

Analysis

Why Iran's Pezeshkian is facing an uphill battle in postwar diplomacy

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Joyce Karam and Ariane Tabatabai in conversation on the latest US-Iran memorandum of understanding

Deciphering the US-Iran deal: What comes next?

June 23, 2026