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A tugboat guides the Russian oil tanker Anatoly Kolodkin as it arrives at the oil terminal in the port of Matanzas, northwestern Cuba, on March 31, 2026.

Breaking

Last Updated: May 18, 2026, 1:36 pm

US extends Russian oil sanctions waiver as Iran war squeezes supply

The waiver temporarily lifts sanctions on Russian oil for 30 days.

Iran confiscates assets of 129 alleged ‘traitors’ in West Azerbaijan province

Iranian authorities have cracked down on people accused of collaborating with the US and Israel since the war erupted in February while fears of renewed fighting remain high amid stalled peace talks.

Iran

Somaliland’s first ambassador to a foreign country formally, Mohamed Hagi, presented his diplomatic credentials in Jerusalem to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, on May 18, 2026.

Israel accredits Somaliland's first ambassador: What to know

Israel was the first country to recognize the breakaway region on the Horn of Africa last year.

Israel

Oil swings as UAE nuclear plant strike, Iran diplomacy push roil markets

International benchmark Brent crude futures whipsawed on Monday as markets digested a dangerous new escalation alongside signs of diplomatic progress.

Iran

Trump says 'clock ticking' for Iran as peace negotiations stall

Agence France-Presse

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Analysis

Pakistan’s six corridors offer Iran a trade lifeline, could outlast Hormuz crisis

Iranian cargo trucks cross into the Pakistan-Iran border at Taftan, Balochistan province, on June 18, 2025, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Analysis

Pushed out of Sahel, Macron turns to Egypt and Africa's anglophone countries

French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto during a reception at the State House ahead of the Africa Forward summit in Nairobi on May 10, 2026.

By Rina Bassist , Rosaleen Carroll

Analysis

Why Turkey sees opportunity in Hormuz crisis to boost Middle Corridor

Ships navigate the Bosphorus Strait on May 02, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. Since the outbreak of the US-Israeli war against Iran, forcing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and together with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, global shipping routes have been severely impacted. Soaring shipping costs, lengthening delivery times and less efficient routes have seen increased pressure on energy markets and supply chains worldwide. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

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First attack on Arab nuclear site sends warning to Gulf, US

Agence France-Presse

The Mideast war has disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz

Hormuz tanker traffic edges higher after wartime low

Agence France-Presse

Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), part of Gautam Adani's sprawling multinational conglomerate of companies, will pay the settlement amount over allegations it imported Iranian LPG

India's Adani to pay $275 mn settlement to US over alleged Iran sanctions violations

Agence France-Presse

The Iranian national football team are spending several weeks in Turkey before heading to the US

Iran World Cup squad lands in south Turkey for training

Agence France-Presse

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On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Turkey's outsize influence in Somalia fuels corruption and autocracy, says MEI's Gonul Tol

Gonul Tol joins Amberin Zaman

14 May, 5:43 PM ET

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The AL-MONITOR Brief

Is there a US-Israel rift on Iran?

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Syrian Kurdish commander Kobane says Turkey visit ‘in the making,’ Ocalan meeting possible

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SDF commander in chief

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Olmert: Only Israel-Lebanon deal can curb Hezbollah, occupation 'unviable'

Ehud Olmert

Former Israeli prime minister

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UAE official says opening Hormuz integral to any Iran deal, describes infrastructure damage 'manageable'

Abdulla Balalaa

UAE assistant minister of foreign affairs for energy and sustainability

Interview

UK fintech brings foreign currency accounts to Syrians at home

A Syrian citizen exchanges old banknotes for new notes released and distributed by the central bank, at a bank in the capital, Damascus, on Jan. 3, 2026.

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Pushed out of Sahel, Macron turns to Egypt and Africa's anglophone countries

By Rina Bassist , Rosaleen Carroll

Analysis

Pakistan’s six corridors offer Iran a trade lifeline, could outlast Hormuz crisis

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Analysis

From hoarding to unemployment: Iran's economy buckles under US pressure

Women shop from a street vendor at Enghelab Square in the capital Tehran on Nov. 11, 2025.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

Why Turkey sees opportunity in Hormuz crisis to boost Middle Corridor

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Joyce Karam, Randa Slim, Hamidreza Azizi, Hasan Alhasan

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April 1, 2026

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Iraqi Christian man in dark blue sweater sitting in an office

After years abroad, Iraq’s Christians weigh returning home

February 10, 2026

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

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Plestia Alaqad on Gaza and South Lebanon

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US confrontation with Iran’s proxies: Live Q&A with Jared Szuba and Elizabeth Hagedorn

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The Israel-Hamas War: Live Q&A with Amb. David Satterfield (Part 2)

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The Israel-Hamas War: Live Q&A with Amb. David Satterfield (Part 1)

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The Israel-Hamas War: Live Q&A with Shibley Telhami and Rina Bassist

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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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