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A large anti-Israeli banner portraying an image of a Palestinian fighter and the slogan in Persian and Hebrew, "Endless Voice of Resistance," is erected in Palestine Square in Tehran on Dec. 31, 2025, after Israel's Mossad spy agency issued a direct call urging Iranians to press on with protests.

Analysis

Iran unrest: 4 scenarios as protests spread, regime weighs options

As casualties mount amid nearly a week of unrest in Iran, Donald Trump's threat to "rescue" demonstrators has sharpened tensions, forcing Tehran to confront escalating unrest at home alongside renewed fears of foreign intervention and regime change.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Interview

Youth, strong AI adoption make MENA leading region for smartphones: OPPO

The Chinese mobile phone manufacturer's Lay Ren, who heads up the company's business in the Middle East and North Africa regions, said the Gulf is the epicenter of regional growth but stressed that North Africa is poised to follow.

A convoy of armoured vehicles makes its way along a street in southern Yemen on January 1

Saudi Arabia launches Hadramout offensive as Gulf rivalry haunts Yemen

The fighting in Hadramout between the Saudi-backed government and southern separatists backed by the United Arab Emirates is continuing, pointing to the growing rift between the two Gulf heavyweights.

Yemen

An Israeli soldier rides in the army Merkava main battle tank at a position in northern Israel along the border with southern Lebanon, Nov. 6, 2025, when Israel struck Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.

Analysis

With Trump’s backing, Israel gives Lebanon last chance before attacking Hezbollah

"The Americans, led by the president, understand that you can't count on the Lebanese Army to disarm Hezbollah. It probably won't happen," a senior Israeli diplomatic source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity.

By Ben Caspit

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

Yemeni members of the Sabahiha tribes of Lahj, who live along the strip between the south and north of the country and who support the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), hold an image of the STC leader Aidaros Alzubidi.

Yemen’s STC announces self-determination process for south: What to know

The announcement by the UAE-backed separatist group follows major escalations with Saudi Arabia and the internationally-recognized government.

Yemen

Latest News

Saudi Arabia awards record number of mining licenses in Vision 2030 push

Saudi Arabia

Analysis

Israel’s Somaliland gamble: Redrawing influence in the Horn of Africa

Residents wave Somaliland flags as they gather to celebrate Israel's announcement recognizing Somaliland's statehood in downtown Hargeisa, on Dec. 26, 2025.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Gulf accounted for 43% of global sovereign wealth fund investment in 2025

Saudi Arabia

Culture

Turkish museums celebrate banner year for history, architecture, art

Turkey

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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks on the day of the Second World Summit for Social Development, focusing on advancing social development and reaffirming commitments to the Copenhagen Declaration, in Doha, Qatar, November 4, 2025. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

UN chief deeply concerned over Israel's suspension of NGOs

Reuters

The ban includes Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which has 1,200 staff members in the Palestinian territories -- the majority of whom are in Gaza

UN chief calls on Israel to reverse NGOs ban in Gaza

Agence France-Presse

A video posted on social media on December 31, 2025, showed protestors attacking a government building in Fasa in southern Iran

Iran's protests: What we know

Agence France-Presse

Supporters of the UAE-backed separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) wave flags of the STC and the United Arab Emirates, during a rally in Aden, Yemen, January 1, 2026. REUTERS/Fawaz Salman

Yemen's STC aims to hold an independence referendum in two years

Reuters

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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.

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Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

With Trump’s backing, Israel gives Lebanon last chance before attacking Hezbollah

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Analysis

Israel’s Somaliland gamble: Redrawing influence in the Horn of Africa

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

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Trump-Erdogan ties pay off for Turkey in 2025 as Ankara pushes for F-35s

US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan gesture as they pose for a photo during a world leaders' summit on ending the Gaza war on Oct. 13, 2025 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

By Ezgi Akin

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

Analysis

Iran unrest: 4 scenarios as protests spread, regime weighs options

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

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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

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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

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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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