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Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa visits with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (off frame) during the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York City on Sept. 24, 2025.

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Last Updated: November 6, 2025, 3:40 pm

UN Security Council votes to lift sanctions on Syria's Sharaa

The move comes days before Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is due to visit the White House.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 1: Democratic New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani (C) raises his hands during a campaign event with New York City elected officials on November 1, 2025 in the Queens borough of New York City. With only days left in the race for New York City's next mayor, Mamdani remains the front runner against Independent candidate, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. (Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)

For Arab and Muslim Americans, Mamdani's victory grants seat at table

Zohran Mamdani will be New York City’s first Muslim mayor, a milestone celebrated by Muslim and Arab organizations nationwide.

United States

A Syrian man inspects the prison of Saydnaya, north of Damascus on Dec. 16, 2024.

Feature

Families of Americans missing in Syria urge Caesar sanctions relief

The remaining US sanctions on Syria may be hindering the search for the remains of Americans detained and killed by the former Assad regime.

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Iraqis walk past electoral billboards, including one bearing a portrait of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (C), in central Baghdad on Oct. 19, 2025, ahead of Iraq's parliamentary elections on Nov. 11.

Iraq elections: What to know as Sudani seeks second term

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is seen as the front-runner ahead of next week’s election, though the country may face another lengthy process of forming a government.

Iraq

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SDF commander Hemo: Syria’s Kurds prepare for threat of war as Damascus talks falter

As US-brokered talks stall, Kurdish forces are preparing contingencies while continuing dialogue with Damascus to secure Syria’s future, SDF commander Sipan Hemo told Al-Monitor in an exclusive interview.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Latest News

Hezbollah rejects talks with Israel as attacks spark fear of renewed war

Residents hang a poster bearing a portrait of Hezbollah's slain leader Hassan Nasrallah and the flag of the Iran-baked party on the rubble of a destroyed house in the southern border village of Adaisseh, following the Israeli army's withdrawal on Feb. 18, 2025.

Lebanon

Iran doubles down on Venezuela support as Trump ups threats: What to know

Iran

Syria advances Qatar-backed $7B power project amid soaring electricity prices

Syria

Meet Rama Duwaji, Mamdani's wife and New York’s first lady of Syrian descent

United States

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Syria's president Ahmed al-Sharaa rejected any talk of partitioning his country, as Israel makes incursions

Former jihadist Syrian leader makes unprecedented White House visit

Agence France-Presse

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visits the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation in Tehran, Iran, November 2, 2025. Iranian Atomic Organisation/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS

Iran's Pezeshkian says Tehran seeks peace, but will not bow to coercion

Reuters

A portrait of jailed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan and a sign with the words "Serok Apo," are displayed on a hillside in the Qandil mountains, Iraq, October 26, 2025. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani

Exclusive-Turkey preparing law to let PKK fighters return under peace plan

Reuters

A Palestinian man walks on piles of garbage, amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, at Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, May 2, 2024. REUTERS/Doaa Rouqa

Piles of garbage and seeping sewage pollute devastated Gaza

Reuters

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Hezbollah rejects talks as Israel escalates in Lebanon: View from Beirut

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Trump's back channel to Hamas says militants could cede heavy weapons in disarmament deal

Hamas fighters gather at the site of the handing over of two Israeli hostages in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Feb. 22, 2025.

Bishara Bahbah

Founder, Arab Americans for Peace

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Gulf real estate investors choose UK over US amid political instability

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Head of real estate finance and investments, Bank of London and The Middle East

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International Red Cross chief says Gaza conflict goes beyond anything he has ever seen

Pierre Krahenbuhl

Director-General of the International Committee

Members of the Red Cross stand amid the rubble of destroyed buildings as heavy machinery operates in the al-Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City on Oct. 27, 2025.

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UK chases elusive GCC trade deal that could boost exports, economic links

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves, right, and Qatari Finance Minister Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari arrive at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Oct. 28, 2025.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

Iran scrambles to revive diplomacy as its last firewall against new war

A view of the Bushehr nuclear power plant.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

How Gulf states are powering Turkey’s Eurofighter ambitions

A Eurofighter Typhoon of the German Air Force (31 26) in flight during a demonstration as part of a press day at the military air base in Laage, south of Rostock, Sept. 23, 2025.

By Francesco Schiavi

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

Analysis

With Hezbollah rearming, Israel considers heavy hits in Lebanon

By Ben Caspit

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

A large picture of Naim Qassem (C), current leader of the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, is displayed near another of the group's slain longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah during a ceremony marking the first anniversary of Israel's assassination of Nasrallah and other group leaders, in the town of Deir Qanoun al-Nahr near Tyre in southern Lebanon on September 27, 2025. The Iran-backed group, weakened by a deadly war with Israel last year, has organised a series of commemorative events to mark Nasrallah's

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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