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

Analysis

Iraq’s Zaidi offers economic promise for Turkey but unknowns loom

Iraq’s prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, is expected to sustain growing economic and strategic ties with Turkey thanks to his business-oriented approach, though uncertainty over his political stance could test cooperation on sensitive issues.

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Members of Lebanese security forces stand guard in the perimeter of the Parliament, a day ahead of a parliamentary session to elect a president in Beirut on January 8, 2025. Lebanese political heavyweights held talks on January 8, a day ahead of a parliamentary session to elect a president of the tiny Mediterranean country, already deep in economic and political crisis, and which has been without a president for more than two years. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Under US pressure, will Lebanon repeal Israel Boycott Law?

The 1955 law criminalizes all dealings with Israel, raising questions about how far Beirut can even go with its current engagement, currently at the ambassadorial level.

Lebanon

A security personnel sits in a market after markets reopened in Islamabad on April 23, 2026, following heightened security measures amid the ongoing US-Iran peace talks.

Analysis

What UAE’s $3.45B pullback from Pakistan signals about Abu Dhabi's priorities

As Abu Dhabi pulls back long-rolled deposits while investing selectively, Pakistan faces an era of more conditional Gulf support tied to strategic alignment.

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Analysis

US banking on Iraqi turnaround with nomination of Zaidi as new PM

Trump signals hope for a "tremendous new chapter” in US-Iraq ties with the nomination of Ali Al-Zaidi as prime minister.

By Week in Review

Analysis

Iron Dome in Gulf: How Iran war turned UAE-Israel defense ties operational

The deployment is the first known combat use of the system outside Israel as Emirati-Israeli ties shift from political normalization toward military coordination.

By Francesco Schiavi

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

Latest News

Analysis

Can Bennett, Lapid unite Israel’s opposition to unseat Netanyahu?

Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Yair Lapid (L) speaks to outgoing Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, during a meeting at the Knesset (parliament), in Jerusalem on June 30, 2022. - Final approval of the parliament dissolution bill was initially expected by midnight but was postponed to June 30 as coalition and opposition lawmakers sparred over last-minute legislative details, several sources familiar with the parliamentary said. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

MENA wheat importers face food security risks as Hormuz crisis festers

Crops of wheat and barley in Terbol village on May 10, 2022, in Bekaa Valley, Lebanon.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

How Iran is rebuilding its bruised military as ceasefire masks recalibration

Soldiers from Iran's land, navy, air force and special forces parade on the occasion of National Army Day in Tehran, capital of Iran on April 18, 2025, in Tehran, Iran.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

Without exit strategy, Israel faces emboldened Hezbollah, limited options on Iran

By Ben Caspit

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

Get unlimited access for as little as $2/week.

The most authoritative roundup for Middle East news everyday on site, app and your inbox.

See Offers

Subscriber-Only Benefits

Our Independent Journalism | No agendas. No influences. Just factual stories.
The Daily Briefing | Intelligent, concise insights—delivered daily.
Unlimited Access | Reporting & analysis—without paywalls.

Smoke rising from Israeli airstrikes on the southern Lebanese village of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, on May 3, 2026

War in the Middle East: latest developments

Agence France-Presse

FILE PHOTO: A F-35 fighter jet flies during a graduation ceremony for Israeli Air Force pilots at Hatzerim Airbase, in southern Israel, June 29, 2023. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo

Israel approves plan to buy F-35 and F-15I aircraft from US

Reuters

Granular urea is among the products made by the SKW Piesteritz agro-chemical plant near Wittenberg, Germany

German fertiliser makers and farmers struggle with Iran war fallout

Agence France-Presse

Major oil producers led by Saudi Arabia and Russia are to hold their first in-person meeting since March 2020

OPEC+ to make first post-UAE production decision

Agence France-Presse

Featured Newsletters

Editor's choice

Three stories hand-picked by our editorial team.

Expert insight on the Middle East—delivered regularly

Read By

See all newsletters

Adam Lucente, Barin Kayaoglu and Tamer Badawi

The AL-MONITOR Brief

What to expect from Iraq's new PM nominee, Ali al-Zaidi

Barin Kayaoglu and Tamer Badawi joins Adam Lucente

1 May, 2:55 PM ET

23:26

Adam Lucente, Sam Wendel and Jack Dutton

The AL-MONITOR Brief

What UAE exit from OPEC means for oil cartel’s future

Samuel Wendel and Jack Dutton joins Adam Lucente

28 April, 4:46 PM ET

12:59

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘running the show’ despite public absence, says academic Hassan Ahmadian

Hassan Ahmadian joins Amberin Zaman

23 April, 4:30 PM ET

27:34

Interviews

Exclusive conversations with AL-MONITOR.

See All

Interview

UAE official says opening Hormuz integral to any Iran deal, describes infrastructure damage 'manageable'

Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, United Arab Emirates

Interview

Minister warns aid cuts to Lebanon risk empowering Hezbollah

Haneen Sayyed

Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs

Interview

Despite Trump’s U-turns, US may still support Iran’s Kurds, says Komala’s Mohtadi

A armed Kurdish Peshmerga of the Komala party waves the Komala flag in a ceremony held in memory of Komala Martyrs' Day in Sidakan, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, on March 17, 2021.

Abdulla Mohtadi

Leader of Komala

Interview

Olmert: Only Israel-Lebanon deal can curb Hezbollah, occupation 'unviable'

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Iraq’s Zaidi offers economic promise for Turkey but unknowns loom

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

US banking on Iraqi turnaround with nomination of Zaidi as new PM

By Week in Review

Analysis

MENA wheat importers face food security risks as Hormuz crisis festers

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

What UAE’s $3.45B pullback from Pakistan signals about Abu Dhabi's priorities

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Joyce Karam, Randa Slim, Hamidreza Azizi, Hasan Alhasan

Iran War at One Month: Outlook and Implications

Play Video

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sits across from Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Ukraine's Zelenskyy capitalizes on Iran war to ink security deal with Saudi Arabia

Play Video

Joe Snell appears on a street wearing a black jacket; in the frame next to it, a woman with blonde hair, glasses, and a black blazer appears on a laptop screen from a Zoom meeting.

French ISIS Member Convicted of Genocide Against Yazidis

Play Video

Ezgi Akin at Turkey's Kapikoy border crossing

AL-MONITOR's Ezgi Akin at Turkey-Iran Border Crossing

Play Video

AL-MONITOR Live Journalism

Convening global leaders in business, policy and media.

See All

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

Our Journalists

See All

Latest News

Get unlimited access for as little as $2/week.

Subscriber-Only Benefits

Featured Newsletters

Editor's choice

Expert insight on the Middle East—delivered regularly

Read By

Audio

Interviews

The City Pulse Newsletters

Analysis

Videos

AL-MONITOR Live Journalism

Our Journalists