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Analysis

UAE’s OPEC exit rattles cartel as Gulf alliances shift

OPEC's fourth-largest producer will leave the cartel on May 1, marking the most significant departure in the group’s history as the war changes Abu Dhabi's relationship priorities.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

The Ateela 2 oil tanker boat navigates the sea on April 28, 2026, on Qeshm Island, Iran, in the Strait of Hormuz.

Analysis

How long can Iran's economy withstand Trump's naval blockade?

Iranian authorities are denouncing US seizures of the country's oil tankers as piracy, but mounting disruptions to maritime trade are exposing economic fragility beneath Tehran's claims of control and resilience.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Prime Minister Mohammed S. al-Sudani met with Prime Minister-designate Ali Faleh al-Zaidi on April 28, 2026.

Meet Ali al-Zaidi, businessman and Iraq's new prime minister-designate

Legal sources familiar with the nominee told Al-Monitor that there are no US sanctions on Zaidi or financial institutions affiliated with him.

Iraq

Analysis

Despite Trump pressure to limit Israel's Lebanon attacks, Aoun-Netanyahu meeting still unlikely

As President Donald Trump pressures Israel to limit its strikes in Lebanon, Hezbollah is taking advantage of the situation.

By Ben Caspit

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

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C), alongside US State Department Counselor Michael Needham (2L) and US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa (2R), speaks during a meeting.

US seeks to train Lebanon army units to disarm Hezbollah: What to know

Funding for such a program remains unclear, though the Pentagon has requested $36 million for fiscal year 2027 to support Lebanon’s army.

Lebanon

Latest News

Why UAE's decision to leave OPEC is major shift for cartel

United Arab Emirates

In first, Libya’s rival armies to join drill in Turkey: What to know

Cadets of the Saiqa Force (Special Forces) of the self-styled Libyan National Army affiliated with eastern strongman Khalifa Hifter take part in a graduation ceremony in tribute to the force's late commander, Wanis Bukhamada, in the eastern city of Benghazi, on Jan. 20, 2022.

Turkey

Breaking

Last Updated: April 28, 2026, 8:54 am

UAE to leave OPEC on May 1

United Arab Emirates

Israel rejects Ukraine's claim that Russian shadow fleet vessel docked in Haifa

Israel

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Commuters make their way past a picture of Iran's slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (L) and a sculpture of late supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Tehran

War in the Middle East: latest developments

Agence France-Presse

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping react as they hold a bilateral meeting at Gimhae International Airport, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Busan, South Korea, October 30, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo

Taiwan tops Beijing's agenda for Trump-Xi summit

Reuters

Scorching temperatures lead to many deaths in the Djibouti desert

Starvation and drowning on the deadly Horn of Africa migrant route

Agence France-Presse

Britain's King Charles listens as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a state dinner for the King and Queen Camilla at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 28, 2026. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett

Trump says King Charles does not want Iran to have nuclear weapon

Reuters

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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

The AL-MONITOR Brief

Israel-Hezbollah clashes test US-backed Lebanon ceasefire

Elizabeth Hagedorn joins Adam Lucente

24 April, 2:41 PM ET

11:28

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.

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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

UAE’s OPEC exit rattles cartel as Gulf alliances shift

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

Despite Trump pressure to limit Israel's Lebanon attacks, Aoun-Netanyahu meeting still unlikely

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

Turning point on Israel? Democrats’ Senate vote signals shift driven by Iran, Gaza wars

The US Capitol building is shown on April 20, 2026, in Washington.

By Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Analysis

How long can Iran's economy withstand Trump's naval blockade?

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Joyce Karam, Randa Slim, Hamidreza Azizi, Hasan Alhasan

Iran War at One Month: Outlook and Implications

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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

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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

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Ezgi Akin at Turkey's Kapikoy border crossing

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

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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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