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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.

Analysis

Despite Israeli concerns, sources say Trump giving Iran talks up to 2 months

Leaving Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in the dark over his intentions, sources suggest that US President Trump decided on a deadline for the talks with Iran.

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

What’s behind Saudi outreach to Ethiopia amid UAE rift?

After Saudi Arabia's foreign minister visited Ethiopia earlier this week, its deputy foreign minister arrived in Eritrea on Friday for talks with the country's president and foreign minister.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

US to send second aircraft carrier toward Iran: What to know

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, is expected to join the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and fleet of US aircraft already assembled in the region around Iran as the Trump administration threatens a new round of strikes.

By Jared Szuba

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

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 20: A general view of DP World Australia at Port Botany on January 20, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. The Guardian reported that workers at DP World have been involved in industrial action since October 2023. Actions include limited stop-work orders, as the union seeks a 16% pay increase over two years. The stevedore company manages some 40% of container traffic in Australia. A protracted industrial dispute would have severe knock-on effects on supply chains and businesses small and

UAE’s DP World names new leadership after CEO leaves over alleged Epstein ties

The Dubai emirate announced the appointments of Yuvraj Narayan as group CEO and Essa Kazim as the new chairman of the board, replacing Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.

United Arab Emirates

Culture

Harassment on Cairo bus revives debate over women’s rights in Egypt

Police released a man who was accused of stalking and harassing a young woman who filmed her encounter with the suspect on a bus.

Egypt

Latest News

Analysis

Netanyahu 'skeptical' as Trump doubles down on Iran diplomacy

US President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to his Mar-a-Lago club on Dec. 29, 2025, in Palm Beach, Florida.

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Exclusive

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

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

By Ezgi Akin

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

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

Saudi Arabia

US military completes evacuation of ISIS prisoners from Syria to Iraq

Syria

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Indian author Arundhati Roy pulled out of the Berlin Film Festival amid a row over comments on Gaza

Indian writer Roy pulls out of Berlin Film Festival over Gaza row

Agence France-Presse

Trump tells troops 'fear' is powerful motivator in difficult Iran talks

Reuters

FILE PHOTO: Civilians sit in a vehicle as they flee Tabqa after clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian army, in Hasakah, Syria, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman/File Photo

Analysis-Risk of missteps hangs over US-backed ceasefire deal in northeast Syria

Reuters

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reacts as he is pictured behind a drone during his visit to a facility of German drone maker Quantum Systems, on the sidelines of the annual Munich Security Conference (MSC), near Munich, Germany, February 13, 2026. REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen

Zelenskiy meets Iranian opposition figure Pahlavi

Reuters

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

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Wassim Chourbaji

Qualcomm president for the Middle East & Africa

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Rafael Grossi

IAEA Director General

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Saudi Arabia keeps doors open to US, China in critical minerals race

Bandar Alkhorayef

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources

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YPG spokesman: Syrian forces' strategy is to isolate Kurdish towns and cities

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Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Despite Israeli concerns, sources say Trump giving Iran talks up to 2 months

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

Netanyahu 'skeptical' as Trump doubles down on Iran diplomacy

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Analysis

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

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.

By Jack Dutton

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

Analysis

What’s behind Saudi outreach to Ethiopia amid UAE rift?

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

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

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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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