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US President Donald Trump (L) greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrives at the West Wing of the White House, Washington, Sept. 29, 2025.

Analysis

Differences over Hamas, Turkey and Iran overshadow Netanyahu-Trump summit

When Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu meets US President Donald Trump in Washington, expect him to focus on Hamas' disarmament and rail against Turkey taking part in the international stabilization force in Gaza.

By Ben Caspit

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

Waleed Al-Khuraiji, Saudi Arabia’s vice foreign minister, and Miao Deyu, China’s vice foreign minister, conclude the third Iran–China–Saudi trilateral meeting with talks alongside Iran’s foreign minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi in Tehran, Dec. 9, 2025.

Analysis

Iran’s China pivot deepens as Tehran's thaw with Saudi Arabia gets reality check

At a Tehran trilateral meeting between China and Saudi Arabia, Iranian officials performed careful diplomatic choreography, seeking Beijing’s backing to revive the sluggish rapprochement with Riyadh and to reposition the Islamic Republic within shifting postwar dynamics.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

TOPSHOT - Syrian and Lebanese people in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli celebrate on December 9, 2024, after Islamist-led rebels declared that they have taken the Syrian capital in a lightning offensive, sending President Bashar al-Assad fleeing and ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria. (Photo by Fathi AL-MASRI / AFP) (Photo by FATHI AL-MASRI/AFP via Getty Images)

Clashes and protests in Lebanon over Syria's anniversary: What we know

As celebrations erupted in Lebanon to commemorate the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, Hezbollah supporters held counter-rallies.

Lebanon

People take part in a demonstration at Hostage Square in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv on Oct. 25, 2025, calling for the release of all the bodies of hostages held in Gaza by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Israel's Hostage Square takes new shape as one last body left in Gaza

Tel Aviv's Hostage Square, the epicenter of demonstrations for the release of the hostages, is evolving with the long-suffering movement that created it.

Israel

Multiple exposure photograph of the Netflix and Warner Bros logos in front of a television screen at Kerlouan in Brittany in France, on Dec. 5 2025.

Mideast funds back Paramount's $108B Warner Bros. takeover bid

Netflix appeared to have won a weeks-long bidding war with Paramount and Comcast, securing a $72 billion equity deal for Warner Bros. Discovery's TV, film studios and streaming assets, but Monday's $108 billion bid changes the calculus.

Saudi Arabia

Latest News

Saudi Arabia deepens footprint in Syria with four new oil and gas deals

Syria

Culture

World Cup: Iran fumes over LGBTQ+ themes as Jordan qualifies for first time

A fan waves a Pride flag before the soccer match between the Seattle Sounders and the Portland Timbers at Lumen Field, on June 3, 2023, in Seattle, Washington.

Iran

Feature

A year after Assad's fall, divisions grow between Syria Kurds, Damascus

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Israel, US send mixed signals on Gaza phase 2 before Trump-Netanyahu meeting

Israel

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The UAE is hoping that AI can help fill the gap when oil demand inevitably wanes

Oil-rich UAE turns to AI to grease economy

Agence France-Presse

The Turner Prize shortlist includes autistic artist Nnena Kalu

Autistic Scottish artist Nnena Kalu smashes Turner Prize 'glass ceiling'

Agence France-Presse

UN chief condemns Houthi referral of some detained UN staff to court

Reuters

Soldiers loyal to Yemen's separatist Southern Transitional Council stand guard outside the compound of the presidential palace in Aden, Yemen December 9, 2025. REUTERS/Fawaz Salman

Explainer-How Yemen's southern power shift heightens risk in turbulent region

Reuters

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Adam Lucente interviews Beatrice Farhat, Elizabeth Hagedorn and Rina Bassist

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Interview

Can protests in Israel halt Netanyahu's second attempt at judicial overhaul?

Shikma Bressler, an Israeli physicist and one of the leaders of the protest against the government's judicial overhaul.

Interview

Saudi foreign ownership property law won't overheat market, says Dar Global CEO

Ziad El Chaar

CEO of Dar Global

Interview

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

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.

Pierre Krahenbuhl

Director-General of the International Committee

Interview

UNRWA plans Turkey office to boost Gaza, Syria aid as pledges dip

A boy sits outside the entrance to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) building complex in Gaza City, on Sept. 6, 2025.

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Differences over Hamas, Turkey and Iran overshadow Netanyahu-Trump summit

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

Under US pressure, Israel softens Syria tone but is wary of Sharaa

Israeli Druze from Majdal Shams crossed into Syria on July 16, 2025, to assist relatives in nearby villages following a reported massacre of Druze civilians by Syrian army forces and allied militias.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

Turkey's Kizilelma fighter jet redefines capability in air warfare: What to know

An undated photo shows a Kizilelma unmanned fighter jet taking flight.

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Iran’s China pivot deepens as Tehran's thaw with Saudi Arabia gets reality check

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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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Iraqis prepare to head to the polls

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Amberin Zaman Reports from Damascus

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Elizabeth Hagedorn Reporting from UNGA in New York

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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 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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