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US President Donald J. Trump leaves the Saudi Royal Court with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on May 13, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Analysis

Ahead of MBS visit, Saudis link Israel normalization to 3 asks from Trump

President Donald Trump would clearly like to say he persuaded Israel and Saudi Arabia to normalize ties, but neither Sheikh Mohammed bin Salman nor Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seem ready to make the necessary compromises.

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

With Saudi Arabia on sidelines, Trump looks to widen Abraham Accords circle

A senior Trump administration official says to expect additional Abraham Accords signatories in the coming months.

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

Iran accused of seizing vessel in Strait of Hormuz diverted from UAE

An oil tanker sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands through the Strait of Hormuz was diverted into Iranian territorial waters on Friday, amid suspicions that it was intercepted by Iran.

Iran

A South African Airways (SAA) flight is seen on the tarmac before departing from the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Sept. 23, 2021.

After 13 hours, 150 Gazans allowed to enter South Africa: What to know

The group were reportedly stranded for several hours after opting to leave the war-torn Palestinian enclave.

Palestine

Analysis

Could Trump be the one to deliver peace to Syria and Turkey's Kurds?

As Trump deepens his Syria push, Washington is probing whether its leverage can turn fragile truces into lasting peace.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Latest News

Culture

YouTuber MrBeast brings pop-up theme park to Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia

Israeli settlers torch, vandalize West Bank mosque as attacks skyrocket

Young Palestinians look at the damage in the Hajja Hamida Mosque after it was reportedly set on fire and vandalised by Israeli settlers in the Palestinian village of Deir Istiya, near Salfit in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on November 13, 2025. Violence in the West Bank has soared since the war in Gaza broke out in October 2023. (Photo by Zain JAAFAR / AFP) (Photo by ZAIN JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)

Palestine

Turkey grounds all C-130 military aircraft after Georgia crash kills 20

Wreckage is seen at the crash site of the Turkish C-130 military cargo plane in the Sighnaghi area at the Georgia-Azerbaijan border on November 12, 2025. A Turkish military cargo plane carrying 20 passengers and crew crashed in Georgia on its way home from Azerbaijan, the defence ministry said Tuesday. (Photo by Giorgi ARJEVANIDZE / AFP) (Photo by GIORGI ARJEVANIDZE/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey

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Iran likely seized oil tanker off UAE: security firms

Agence France-Presse

Palestinians attend Friday prayers in a mosque following an attack that local Palestinians said was carried out by Israeli settlers, in the village of Deir Istiya near Salfit in the Israeli-occupied West Bank November 14, 2025. REUTERS/Sinan Abu Mayzer

Palestinians return for prayers in West Bank mosque after settler attack

Reuters

Trump (L) met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh in May

Saudi prince, eyeing defence pledge, to meet Trump after long US absence

Agence France-Presse

Water in Tajikistan's Nurek reservoir (seen here in March 2024) has dropped sharply since late 2024

Water shortage pushes Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan into energy crisis

Agence France-Presse

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The Al-Monitor Brief

What did Trump, Sharaa accomplish during Syrian president’s White House visit? View from Washington

Adam Lucente interviews Elizabeth Hagedorn

9:33

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

What are the stakes for Iran in Iraq's parliamentary elections?

Amberin Zaman interviews Renad Mansour

The Al-Monitor Brief

Hezbollah rejects talks as Israel escalates in Lebanon: View from Beirut

Adam Lucente interviews Beatrice Farhat

12:54

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Interview

Trump's back channel to Hamas says militants could cede heavy weapons in disarmament deal

Hamas fighters gather at the site of the handing over of two Israeli hostages in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Feb. 22, 2025.

Bishara Bahbah

Founder, Arab Americans for Peace

Culture

Director Cyril Aris on Lebanon’s Oscar submission, trauma and cinema

Interview

Gulf real estate investors choose UK over US amid political instability

Khaled Alanani

Head of real estate finance and investments, Bank of London and The Middle East

Interview

International Red Cross chief says Gaza conflict goes beyond anything he has ever seen

Pierre Krahenbuhl

Director-General of the International Committee

Members of the Red Cross stand amid the rubble of destroyed buildings as heavy machinery operates in the al-Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City on Oct. 27, 2025.

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

With Saudi Arabia on sidelines, Trump looks to widen Abraham Accords circle

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

Analysis

Could Trump be the one to deliver peace to Syria and Turkey's Kurds?

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Analysis

After Trump’s pardon letter to Herzog, 4 scenarios emerge for Netanyahu’s trial

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participates in a joint news conference with US President Donald Trump (not pictured) in the State Dining Room at the White House, on Sept. 29, 2025, in Washington.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

Ahead of MBS visit, Saudis link Israel normalization to 3 asks from Trump

By Ben Caspit

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

Amberin Zaman, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Danny Makki, Joyce Karam in a virtual discussion on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to Washington

Syria's Sharaa in Washington

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1:00:44

Iraqis prepare to head to the polls

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1:34

Amberin Zaman Reports from Damascus

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Elizabeth Hagedorn Reporting from UNGA in New York

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1:07

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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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