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Analysis

Israel fears Iran resuming ballistic missile project, eyes confrontation, destabilizing regime

The Israeli security establishment is concerned over reports that Iran is adamant in avenging the Israeli and American strikes on its nuclear plants last summer, resuming and bolstering its ballistic missile project.

By Ben Caspit

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

Iraqi voters wait to cast their ballots at the Al-Ghufran school, turned into a polling station in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on Nov. 11, 2025 during Iraq's parliamentary elections.

Iraq polls close as early signs point to low turnout: What to know

Turnout by midday was just 23.9%, according to authorities, indicating Iraq could be on track for another record low rate of participation.

Iraq

A Royal Jordanian Air Force C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft — the model involved in Tuesday's crash — is pictured at King Abdullah II airbase in Zarqa on July 30, 2025.

Live Updates

Turkish military plane with 20 on board crashes near Azerbaijan-Georgia border

Turkish, Azerbaijani and Georgian officials are coordinating search and rescue operations, Turkish authorities said.

Turkey

Iraq, which has long been a fertile land for proxy wars, has only recently regained a sense of stability, as it tries to move past decades of war

Iraqis vote in general election at crucial regional moment

Agence France-Presse

US President Donald Trump meets Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in the Oval Office, Washington, DC, Nov. 10, 2025.

Syrian President Sharaa arrives at White House in historic first

Sharaa met with Trump as the administration weighs easing sanctions and expanding cooperation on Syria.

Syria

Latest News

Meet the Silicon Valley-linked AI startup targeting Gulf’s costly inefficiencies

United Arab Emirates

Iran’s IRGC says it arrested hacker tied to Israeli Mossad: What we know

Iran

Trump buys time with Syria sanctions waiver as Congress wrestles over repeal

Syria

Analysis

Turkey eyes dividends from Sharaa-Trump meeting, but SDF talks test Ankara

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa shake hands during a joint press conference following their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, on Feb. 4, 2025.

By Ezgi Akin

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

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Gaza families still without electricity despite ceasefire

Reuters

Wreckage lies at the site of the Turkish C-130 military cargo plane crash near the Azerbaijani border, in Sighnaghi municipality, Georgia, November 11, 2025, in this still image taken from video. 1TV.Georgia/Handout via REUTERS

Turkish military plane crashes in Georgia with at least 20 on board

Reuters

Israel says Hezbollah trying to rebuild, smuggle in arms from Syria

Reuters

A poster flying in Baghdad's Sadr City district depicts influential Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr and urges Iraqis to boycott parliamentary elections

'Sayyid says': Influential Shiite cleric's supporters boycott Iraq vote

Agence France-Presse

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

Amberin Zaman interviews Renad Mansour

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

Adam Lucente interviews Beatrice Farhat

12:54

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Why Syria's formal entry to anti-ISIS coalition reduces risk of US troop pullout

Amberin Zaman interviews Barbara Leaf

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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

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Analysis

Sharaa in Washington: Can US charm offensive boost Syria’s reconstruction?

DAMASCUS, SYRIA - JULY 16: Members of Syria's civil defense work amid the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on Syria's defence ministry headquarters on July 16, 2025 in Damascus, Syria. A spokesperson from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed Wednesday that Israeli airstrikes have targeted the headquarters of Syria's defence ministry and a site near the presidential palace in Damascus. The strikes come amid an escalation in conflict between Syrian government forces and Druze militia in the southern Sy

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

Turkey eyes dividends from Sharaa-Trump meeting, but SDF talks test Ankara

By Ezgi Akin

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

Analysis

As Sharaa heads to Washington, Iran looks to Russia to rebuild Syria ties

A picture taken in Damascus on Dec. 9, 2024, shows the building of the Iranian Embassy, which was ransacked after anti-government fighters took the Syrian capital the previous day, with a portrait of Iran's slain Revolutionary Guards commander, Qasem Soleimani, still hanging on its fence.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

Israel fears Iran resuming ballistic missile project, eyes confrontation, destabilizing regime

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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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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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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