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

People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus on June 22, 2025.

Analysis

Who is Saraya Ansar al-Sunna, radical group behind deadly Syria church attack?

An obscure new radical group in Syria may prove weak physically and financially, but can provide an ideological continuity that allows ISIS-like groups to continue to emerge in the future.

By Cagatay Cebe

In Istanbul, reporting on security and counterterrorism

Syrian army and security forces deploy in Sweida following sectarian clashes

Syria deploys forces after dozens killed in Bedouin-Druze clashes

Agence France-Presse

An Israeli air strike hit a house in Nuseirat camp in central Gaza overnight

Gaza civil defence says Israeli strikes kill 43 as truce talks deadlocked

Agence France-Presse

Analysis

How Turkey can help Syria-Israel normalization — and why it should

Despite Ankara’s tense relationship with Israel and current diplomatic freeze, some experts believe Turkey’s role in Syrian-Israeli dynamics could grow over time.

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Israel's (L to R) Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu applaud during the address of Argentina's President to a session of the Israeli parliament (Knesset) at its headquarters in Jerusalem on June 11, 2025. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Can Netanyahu thread needle on Gaza ceasefire without losing coalition?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to make statements about advancing a Gaza ceasefire deal, but that does not necessarily mean he will commit to ending the war.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Latest News

Analysis

Trump tariffs, BRICS threats unlikely to erode Middle East’s trade war edge

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

Is Red Sea truce over? What Houthi attacks mean for US, regional stability

By Adam Lucente , Rosaleen Carroll

Analysis

From Caucasus to Iraq: How Israel’s war hands Turkey edge over Iran

THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS - JUNE 25: U.S. President Donald Trump (R) speaks with President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L), as they arrive for the North Atlantic Council Plenary Session on the second day of the 2025 NATO Summit on June 25, 2025 in The Hague, Netherlands. Among other matters, members are to approve a new defense investment plan that raises the target for defense spending to 5% of GDP. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

By Ezgi Akin

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

Analysis

Why Iran is embracing nuclear ambiguity after war with Israel

Iranians pass by the anti-American murals painted on the walls of the former embassy of the United States of America in Tehran, Iran on April 16, 2025, four days after Iran held the first round of indirect nuclear negotiations with President Trump's administration hosted and mediated by Oman. (Photo by Mohammadali Najib / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by MOHAMMADALI NAJIB/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Subscribe to the Daily Briefing for only $1.67 per month.

The most authoritative roundup for Middle East news everyday in your inbox.

What you get

Daily email with comprehensive regional news coverage
Start with a two-week free trial
Summary of all key insights from our in-country journalists.

Some Iraqis have been forced to disown their family members suspected of jihadist links

Iraqis face difficult return from Syria camp for IS families

Agence France-Presse

US Palestinian Saif al-Din Abdul Karim Musalat, 20, and Mohammed al-Shalabi, 23, were killed in clashes with Israeli settlers on Friday

Anger in West Bank village at funeral of two young men

Agence France-Presse

In a ceremony Friday in Iraq members of the Kurdish rebel group PKK destroyed their weapons

Turkey's Kurdish regions not yet ready to believe in peace process

Agence France-Presse

The Iranian body tasked with vetting legislation has approved a bill to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency despite an appeal from key ally Russia for cooperation to continue.

Iran says cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog will take 'new form'

Agence France-Presse

Featured Newsletters

Editor's choice

Three stories hand-picked by our editorial team.

Stay informed with our daily and weekly newsletters

Read By

See all newsletters

The Al-Monitor Brief

US-Palestinian relations under Trump: Cooperation or confrontation?

Adam Lucente interviews Daoud Kuttab

11:44

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Turkey's military might will never open doors to EU membership, says Euro-MP Nacho Sánchez Amor

Amberin Zaman interviews Nacho Sanchez Amor

23:21

The Al-Monitor Brief

Trump hosts Israel's Netanyahu as Gaza ceasefire, Iran nuclear talks hang in balance

Adam Lucente interviews Elizabeth Hagedorn

8:41

ALM Interviews

Exclusive conversations with Al-Monitor.

See All

Interview

Former French PM says Trump has ‘immense opportunity’ in Mideast

Dominique de Villepin

Former French prime minister

Interview

Iran open to regional consortium, enriched uranium transfer in US nuclear talks

Amir Saeid Iravani

Permanent Representative of Iran to the UN

Interview

Amos Yadlin: Israel's goal to enable Trump to reach better Iran deal than 2015

Amos Yadlin

Former head of Israeli military intelligence

Interview

How Red Sea attacks prepared Egypt’s economy for future shocks

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Trump tariffs, BRICS threats unlikely to erode Middle East’s trade war edge

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

Can Netanyahu thread needle on Gaza ceasefire without losing coalition?

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

How Turkey can help Syria-Israel normalization — and why it should

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Who is Saraya Ansar al-Sunna, radical group behind deadly Syria church attack?

By Cagatay Cebe

In Istanbul, reporting on security and counterterrorism

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

Play Video

1:38:51

Al-Monitor's State Department Correspondent Elizabeth Hagedorn stands on a balcony in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia reporting on President Trump's trip to the Gulf.

President Trump's Visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE

Play Video

1:04

Plestia Alaqad on Gaza and South Lebanon

Play Video

5:00

US investor Steve Witkoff attends the last day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 18, 2024.

Who is Trump’s new Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff?

Play Video

1:22

ALM Events

Convening global leaders in business, policy and media.

See All

Past Live Journalism

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

Past Live Journalism

AI, innovation & global growth: Dr. Marwan Al-Zarouni & Dr. Alaa Murabit speak at event in Washington

Al-Monitor Global Institute hosted Dr. Marwan Al-Zarouni, chief AI officer at Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism and CEO of the Dubai Blockchain Center, alongside Dr. Alaa Murabit, senior advisor at 500 Global, for a high-level conversation on how AI is accelerating innovation and transforming global economic development.

Washington, DC

April 23, 2025 16:00 EDT

Past Live Journalism

UAE presidential advisor HE Dr. Anwar Gargash speaks at AL-Monitor event during UNGA

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York City, AL-Monitor hosted HE Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the UAE, for an off-the-record dinner and discussion at Le Jardinier of the Bastion Collection. The event was attended by thought and business leaders as well as former officials.

New York City, NY

September 26, 2024 18:00 EDT

Our Journalists

See All

Latest News

Subscribe to the Daily Briefing for only $1.67 per month.

What you get

Featured Newsletters

Select your cities and get the latest in the arts, music and entertainment.

Editor's choice

Stay informed with our daily and weekly newsletters

Read By

Podcasts

ALM Interviews

The City Pulse Newsletters

Analysis

Watch

ALM Events

Our Journalists