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Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman looks on during a meeting with US President Donald Trump (not pictured) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on November 18, 2025. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived at the White House to fanfare and a jet flyover Tuesday, in his first visit to the United States since the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Ima

Saudi Arabia names new investment minister as Vision 2030 funding lags

The leadership change comes as slowing megaprojects and weak foreign inflows expose gaps in the kingdom’s ambitious economic overhaul.

Saudi Arabia

Meet Fahad Al-Saif, PIF exec and Saudi Arabia's new investment minister

Saif previously led investment strategy at the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund and has held senior roles at the Saudi Awwal Bank and HSBC Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia

Arab Israeli leaders call for state of emergency after 5 killed in 12-hour crime wave

Arab Israeli society has suffered from high rates of violence for more than two decades.

Israel

Several trucks carrying humanitarian aid cross the border between Armenia and Turkey at the village of Margara, Armenia, on March 21, 2025.

Exclusive

Direct Turkey-Armenia land trade to begin amid US-led Caucasus peace push

New transit arrangement via Georgia cuts re-export costs, marking accelerating normalization between Ankara and Yerevan amid broader US-led peace efforts.

By Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

US military pulls out of Syria’s Al-Tanf garrison in major shift

Initially established as an outpost for US special operators to disrupt the Islamic State's control of the Syria-Iraq border, the base evolved into a key node for the Pentagon's efforts to monitor Iran's expanding military activity in the Levant.

By Jared Szuba

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

Latest News

Exclusive

Syrian Kurdish officials say 66 Turkish ISIS fighters transferred for relocation to Iraq

A campfire burns inside al-Hol camp on Jan. 26, 2026 in Al Hasakah, Syria.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Trump says Iran talks to continue after meeting Israel’s Netanyahu

US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago club on Dec. 29, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida.

United States

Iran’s Larijani in Qatar, meets Hamas leadership: What to know

Iran

Dubai airport tops global ranking again with 95.2 million passengers

An Emirates Boing 777-300ER is pictured in front an air traffic control tower at Dubai International Airport in Dubai, on Jan. 30, 2023.

United Arab Emirates

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Iran executes more people than any nation other than China

Iranian teen protester risks execution over policeman's killing: NGO

Agence France-Presse

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks next to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon arrival for meetings at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 29, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Trump says Netanyahu should be pardoned for corruption

Reuters

Iranian security chief Ali Larijani held talks in mediator Oman

What is going on with Iran-US talks?

Agence France-Presse

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a charter announcement for his Board of Peace initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts, alongside the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos, Switzerland, January 22, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Exclusive-Trump plans to announce Gaza funding plan, troops at first Board of Peace meeting, US officials say

Reuters

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On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Iran’s clerical regime can reform itself — provided Khamenei goes, says Iranian historian Arash Azizi

Amberin Zaman interviews Arash Azizi

28:36

The Al-Monitor Brief

What’s behind the UAE-Algeria air row?

Adam Lucente interviews Jack Dutton

13:19

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

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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

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)

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

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.

Saudi Arabia's former and new investment ministers side by side

Saudi Arabia names new investment minister as Vision 2030 funding lags

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Iraqi Christian man in dark blue sweater sitting in an office

After years abroad, Iraq’s Christians weigh returning home

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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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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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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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