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SDF commander in chief, Mazlum Kobane, meets with Nechirvan Barzani, the president of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, on Feb. 5, 2026.

Exclusive

100 non-Syrian Kurds return to PKK’s Qandil stronghold under SDF-Damascus deal

The transfer of non-Syrian PKK fighters to Iraq’s Qandil Mountains follows a US-brokered SDF-Damascus deal aimed at easing tensions and preserving Kurdish forces under national army oversight.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (L) speaks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed during the G7 Summit hosted by Italy, in Savelletri, on June 14, 2024.

Analysis

Why Algeria's nixing of UAE air deal is more diplomatic than economic

Algeria has begun canceling its air services agreement with the UAE amid heightened tensions over the Gulf country’s foreign policy in the region.

By Jack Dutton

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

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 29: U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff (L) shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump (R) as U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum (2L) and Kathryn Burgum (2R) look on in the Oval Office at the White House on January 29, 2026 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to coordinate a federal government response to drug addiction. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Analysis

Fearing Iran deal, Netanyahu races to US to sway Trump, sidestep Witkoff

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is flying to Washington to persuade President Donald Trump not to forget Iran's ballistic missile project and its proxies in the talks with Tehran.

By Ben Caspit

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

Kuwait blacklists eight Lebanon hospitals over alleged Hezbollah ties: What to know

The affected hospitals, located in areas where Hezbollah has a heavy presence, are believed to be run by Hezbollah-affiliated institutions.

Lebanon

Israeli state aircraft Wing of Zion, which flew to Greece from Ben Gurion Airport, is seen at International Airport in Athens on June 13, 2025, in Athens, Greece.

Israeli-Russian journalist removed from Netanyahu’s US flight: What to know

Israeli-Russian journalist Nick Kolyohin was removed from the official Israeli Wing of Zion plane just before its departure for Washington, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet President Donald Trump.

Israel

Latest News

Turkey, Saudi Arabia ink deal for production of Gokbey helicopters

A screen grab of a video from Turkish Aerospace Industries shows a Gobkey helicopter in flight.

Turkey

Top Iranian adviser visits mediator Oman, as Iran and US prepare for talks

Secretary of the National Security Council, Ali Larijani meets with the Minister of the Royal Office in the Sultanate of Oman, Sultan bin Mohammed al Numani, in Muscat, Oman, February 10, 2026. Iran's National Security Council/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.

Fidan: Iran nuclear breakout could drag Turkey into regional arms race

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks during a press statement with his French counterpart in Ankara, on Jan. 27, 2026.

Turkey

Mideast’s AI startups capture record $858M in funding during 2025, doubling share

Detailed image of Middle Eastern developer in front of desktop pc monitoring a complex network, ensuring data security and efficient computing using cloud, AI and machine learning.

United Arab Emirates

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A combination of satellite images shows an increase in the number of aircraft at the Al-Udeid Air Base, near Doha, Qatar, comparing January 17, 2026 and February 1, 2026. 2026 PLANET LABS PBC/Handout via REUTERS

US used mobile launchers for missiles at Qatar base as Iran tensions rose, satellite pictures show

Reuters

US Vice President Vance's office backtracks after statement on 'Armenian genocide'

Reuters

Exclusive-Trump ally Prince sent men, drones to help Congo's army secure strategic town

Reuters

Une jeune Palestinienne pendant un entraînement de boxe, à Khan Younès, dans le sud de la bande de Gaza, le 9 février 2026

Gaza girls take up boxing to heal war's scars

Agence France-Presse

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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

ALM Interviews

Exclusive conversations with Al-Monitor.

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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

Fearing Iran deal, Netanyahu races to US to sway Trump, sidestep Witkoff

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

Will 2026 be year of electoral change in Palestine?

By Daoud Kuttab

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Analysis

New nuclear deal is no silver bullet for Iran's untapped gas reserves

03/04/2021 Asalouyeh, Iran. A view of refinery No. 2 (Phases 2, 3) of the? South Pars Gas-Condensate field in Asalouyeh Seaport, north of the Persian? Gulf in Iran.The South Pars Gas-Condensate field, the world's largest natural gas field, is shared with Qatar (North Dome) (Photo by Saeid Arabzadeh / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by SAEID ARABZADEH/Middle East Images /AFP via Getty Images)

By Jack Dutton

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

Analysis

Why Algeria's nixing of UAE air deal is more diplomatic than economic

By Jack Dutton

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

Iraqi Christian man in dark blue sweater sitting in an office

After years abroad, Iraq’s Christians weigh returning home

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3:39

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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Convening global leaders in business, policy and media.

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Past Live Journalism

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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