AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

US President Donald Trump holds a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Palm Beach, Florida, Dec. 29, 2025.

Analysis

How Netanyahu used Lebanon strikes to push back on Trump’s Iran deal

The latest ceasefire in Lebanon leaves Netanyahu squeezed between Washington and domestic pressure.

By Ben Caspit

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

The Buergenstock resort, in Obbuergen, where possible talks between the U.S. and Iranian delegations after the two countries' presidents signed an interim deal aimed at ending the war could take place, is seen from Lucerne, Switzerland, June 19, 2026. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

US-Iran peace talks postponed, clouding prospects for lasting truce

Reuters

Israeli, Hezbollah agree to ceasefire starting on Friday -U.S. official

Reuters

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

Interview

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

French investors are reallocating capital toward strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence and technology rather than pulling out of the region altogether.

Axel Baroux

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

Marada Movement leader Suleiman Frangieh (L) meets with Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi (C) and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea (R), Bkerke, north of Beirut, Nov. 14, 2018.

Who is Lebanon’s Suleiman Frangieh, sanctioned by US for Hezbollah ties?

The politician and Marada Movement leader has a close relationship with the Syrian Assad family and staunchly supports Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah.

Lebanon

Latest News

Vance criticizes Israel 'freakout' over Iran deal

U.S. Vice President JD Vance delivers remarks during an event at Gold Coast Studios on June 17, 2026 in Bethpage, New York. Spencer Platt/Pool via REUTERS

Culture

In Syria, detention of Hassan Akkad raises alarm about free expression under Sharaa

Syria

Analysis

Fears in Lebanon that US-Iran deal boosts Hezbollah without restraining Israel

Lebanese soldiers man a check point beside a Hezbollah flag at the entrance to Nabatieh on June 15, 2026.

By Beatrice Farhat

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Feature

Trump’s Iran deal sidesteps fate of detained Americans

US President Donald Trump arrives for the G7 Leaders' Summit at the Hotel Royal, Evian Resort on June 15, 2026 in Evian-les-Bains, France.

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

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Donald Trump signed the deal at the Palace of Versailles

From Versailles to a Swiss mountain: a week of dizzying Iran diplomacy

Agence France-Presse

A family drives with belongings loaded on top of their car, fleeing southern Lebanon again, heading North after returning following the U.S.-Iran deal, as overnight fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah resumes, on the outskirts of Tyre, in southern Lebanon June 19, 2026.REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

Lebanese villagers return to find homes in ruins

Reuters

For Vance, Iran talks could shape political rise

Reuters

Israeli sirstrikes caused considerable damage

Israel, Hezbollah agree ceasefire as US-Iran deal under strain

Agence France-Presse

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Switzerland says 'initial negotiations' on final US-Iran deal to begin Friday

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

Arman Tatoyan

Founder, Wings of Unity Party

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Saudi Arabia eyes state-backed stablecoin amid digital finance push

The symbols of bitcoin and the stablecoin Tether (USDT) are displayed at a cryptocurrency store in Hong Kong on July 29, 2025.

Interview

Top Syrian Kurdish official slams parliamentary vote in northeast as 'undemocratic'

Foza Yusuf

Top Syrian Kurdish official

Interview

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

Axel Baroux

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

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Fears in Lebanon that US-Iran deal boosts Hezbollah without restraining Israel

By Beatrice Farhat

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Culture

In Syria, detention of Hassan Akkad raises alarm about free expression under Sharaa

Syria

Analysis

Why Iran's hard-liners are turning on each other over US deal

An Iranian woman waves a national flag at Valiasr Square in Tehran on June 15, 2026.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

How Netanyahu used Lebanon strikes to push back on Trump’s Iran deal

By Ben Caspit

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

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Joyce Karam, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Holly Dagres, and Ali Hashem

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February 24, 2026

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Iraqi Christian man in dark blue sweater sitting in an office

After years abroad, Iraq’s Christians weigh returning home

February 10, 2026

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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

November 6, 2025

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Al-Monitor chief correspondent Amberin Zaman interviews H.E. Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

The Future of Energy and Power in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

May 23, 2025

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Plestia Alaqad on Gaza and South Lebanon

April 1, 2025

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Vision Golfe 2024 - Mastering Mega events in the GCC from a Sports Perspective

June 4, 2024

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The Syria Strategy Project: Panel one

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US confrontation with Iran’s proxies: Live Q&A with Jared Szuba and Elizabeth Hagedorn

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The Israel-Hamas War: Live Q&A with Amb. David Satterfield (Part 2)

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Past

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

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

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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