Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Visiting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (R) and his wife, Asma, (C) visit the Great Wall near Beijing, on June 22, 2004, during the Middle East leader's first full day in the Chinese capital.

Analysis

In Syria, China not beholden to Assad but alarmed over Uyghur links to HTS

While Assad's regional policies were in semblance with China’s when it came to supporting the Palestinians, defying US policy and shoring up ties with Iran, it was Bashar’s cronyism, his mishandling of the war and the economy that made him less of a strategic asset for Beijing.

By Joyce Karam

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional geopolitics, China in the Middle East

People examine documents at Sednaya Prison, where thousands of people were said to be detained and tortured by the Assad regime.

After Assad downfall, US family clings to hope as Syria prison search unfolds

The daughter of Majd Kamalmaz, an American citizen presumed dead in Syria, describes her anguish as she awaits answers on what happened to her father.

Syria

Turkey’s intel chief in Damascus, set to meet Syria's transition, HTS leaders

The Turkish intelligence chief reportedly plans to hold talks with rebel leaders as US Secretary Antony Blinken is due to arrive in Ankara for crucial discussions on Syria.

Turkey

This handout image supplied by the IIPA shows a view of the reactor building at the Russian-built Bushehr nuclear power plant as the first fuel is loaded, on Aug. 21, 2010.

Iran agrees to stricter nuclear monitoring as US raises concerns

After a report claimed Iran has been significantly increasing its production of highly enriched uranium, the country reportedly agreed to comply with stricter monitoring by the UN's nuclear watchdog.

Iran

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a reception at the New York Stock Exchange after being named Time's “Person of the Year” for the second time on Dec. 12, 2024 in New York City.

Trump wavers on two-state solution but foresees Israel-Palestine deal

Despite his 2020 proposal for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine, Trump has now suggested he is open to other ideas.

United States

Latest News

Exclusive

Syria’s Kurds withdraw from Manbij following US ultimatum

Fighters with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) inspect damaged and abandoned military vehicles and equipment at the Qamishli international airport, formerly a joint Syrian-russian military base, in northeastern Syria's city of Qamishli on Dec. 9, 2024.

By Amberin Zaman , Jared Szuba

Trump crypto partner Tron allegedly used by Hamas, Hezbollah: What we know

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gives a keynote speech on the third day of the Bitcoin 2024 conference at Music City Center, Nashville, Tennessee, July 27, 2024.

Lebanon

Sign up to our Daily Briefing

Keep up with Al-Monitor's top stories with a morning digest from across the region.

Saudi Arabia wins bid to host 2034 FIFA World Cup: What we know

Saudi Arabia

Turkey says Ethiopia, Somalia reach deal to end Somaliland dispute

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Ankara, on Dec. 11.

Turkey

Rayan Assani, eight, left Istanbul with her family, bound for Aleppo

At Turkey-Syria border, returning children cross into the unknown

Agence France-Presse

A broken statue of late Syrian president Hafez al-Assad lies outside the Baath party offices in Damascus

G7 to meet on Syria, government pledges 'rule of law'

Agence France-Presse

Syrians have flocked to prisons since the fall Bashar al-Assad's regime, searching for loved ones who disappeared during decades of repression

US charges ex-head of Syrian prison with torture

Agence France-Presse

Mourners at the funeral of 19-year-old Rahbi Shalabi, killed during clashes between Palestinian security forces and militants

Palestinian security forces admit responsibility for man's killing in West Bank

Agence France-Presse

Editor's choice

Three stories hand-picked by our editorial team.

Stay informed with our daily and weekly newsletters

Read By

See all newsletters

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Turkish lawmaker Cengiz Candar: 'Turkey's endgame is to destroy Kurdish autonomy in Syria'

Amberin Zaman interviews Cengiz Candar

38:22

The Al-Monitor Brief

How does US view the rebel advance in Syria?

Adam Lucente interviews Elizabeth Hagedorn & Jared Szuba

13:40

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

How Turkey is playing with fire in Syria with its backing of new anti-Assad offensive

Amberin Zaman interviews Fabrice Balanche

26:24

ALM Interviews

Exclusive conversations with Al-Monitor.

See All

Interview

Syrian Kurd FM Ilham Ahmed says PKK leader Ocalan's words of 'vital importance'

Ilham Ahmed

Co-President of the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria

Interview

Lebanon’s ex-spymaster says Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire close

Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim

Former Lebanese intelligence chief

Interview

EU escorted over 200 ships in Red Sea amid Gulf maritime threats, envoy says

NUSA DUA, INDONESIA - JULY 08: The Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi (R) greets the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luigi Di Maio (L) during arrival of the G20 Foreign Ministers and Head of Department at the Grand Ballroom Mulia Hotel on July 08, 2022 in Nusa Dua, Indonesia. (Photo by Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images)

Luigi di Maio

EU Special Representative for the Gulf

Interview

US-allied Syrian Kurdish woman commander: ISIS poised to carry 'fight to new level'

Rojhelat Afrin

Women’s Protection Units Commander in Chief

ALM Memos

Executive briefs that lay out scenarios on key issues.

See All

This picture taken on December 18, 2018 shows a view of electricity transmission towers in the Saudi capital Riyadh. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia's electricity sector to see significant transformation by 2030

Gerald Kepes

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy trends

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 30: A container ship departs the Port of Newark for the Atlantic Ocean on September 30, 2024 seen from New York City. A massive strike that could shut down ports across the East and Gulf coasts could begin at midnight as members of the International Longshoremen’s Association continue to make salary and other demands to the United States Maritime Alliance, which controls many of the ports across the country. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Red Sea, Iran energy threats amplify 2025 global economic risks as trade wars, Trump loom

Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Cars drive along a street in front of high-rise buildings in Dubai, on February 18, 2023. - Home to towering skyscrapers and ultra-luxury villas, Dubai saw record real estate transactions in 2022, largely due to an influx of wealthy investors, especially from Russia. (Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP) (Photo by KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)

UAE aims to attract family offices to boost stature as wealth hub

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Tom Barrack, Trump's pick for Turkey ambassador, is good news for Erdogan

CEO of Colony Capital Tom Barrack speaks on the last day of the Republican National Convention, on July 21, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.

By Ezgi Akin

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

Analysis

Iran pursues wait-and-see approach in Syria as it copes with Assad's downfall

TOPSHOT - An aerial picture shows members of Syria's White Helmets civil defence service clearing vehicle carcasses and rubble from a street in Aleppo on December 5, 2024. Islamist-led rebels captured the central Syrian city of Hama on December 5, days after seizing the country's commercial hub Aleppo in a lightning offensive against President Bashar al-Assad's forces. (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR / AFP) (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images)

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

Israel destroys Syria’s navy after breaching buffer zone: What to know

Israeli military vehicles cross the fence as they return from the buffer zone with Syria.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

In Syria, China not beholden to Assad but alarmed over Uyghur links to HTS

By Joyce Karam

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional geopolitics, China in the Middle East

ALM Events

Convening global leaders, media pioneers, and regional entrepreneurs.

See All

Past Live Journalism

UAE presidential advisor HE Dr. Anwar Gargash speaks at Al-Monitor event during UNGA

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York City, Al-Monitor hosted HE Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the UAE, for an off-the-record dinner and discussion at Le Jardinier of the Bastion Collection. The event was attended by thought and business leaders as well as former officials.

New York City, NY

September 26, 2024 18:00 EDT

Past Live Journalism

Iraq PM Sudani speaks at Al-Monitor/US Chamber of Commerce event during UNGA

At an event hosted by Al-Monitor and the US Chamber of Commerce, the prime minister discussed Iraq’s plan to achieve energy independence by 2030 and his desire to drawdown the US military presence in the country.

New York City, NY

September 25, 2024 18:00 EDT

Past Live Journalism

Salon conversation with Turkey's Ambassador to the US Sedat Önal

Al-Monitor hosted the ambassador of Turkey to the United States, Sedat Önal, for an off-the-record discussion on a wide range of topics such as Turkey-US relations, the Gaza war and Turkey's military intervention in Syria. The event was attended by guests from media, private business, and government.

Washington, DC

September 12, 2024 16:00 EDT

Our Journalists

See All

Latest News

Sign up to our Daily Briefing

Editor's choice

Stay informed with our daily and weekly newsletters

Read By

Podcasts

ALM Interviews

ALM Memos

Analysis

ALM Events

Our Journalists