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New South Wales Premier Chris Minns meets with Ahmed al-Ahmed in the hospital on Dec. 15, 2025.

Ahmed al-Ahmed, Syrian-Australian who fought off Hanukkah attackers, recovering from surgery

Ahmed is recovering from surgery after being injured while tackling one of the shooters during an attack on a Jewish gathering in Australia, as he receives an outpouring of support for his actions.

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Youssef Rajji meets with Maj. Gen. Diodato Abagnara, UNIFIL head of mission and force commander, at the UN peacekeeping headquarters in Naqoura, southern Lebanon, Oct. 24, 2025.

Lebanon FM lashes out at Iran amid ambassador impasse: What to know

Lebanese officials have grown more frustrated at Tehran over its perceived meddling in Lebanon’s internal affairs by making repeated comments about its ally, Hezbollah, and the importance of its weapons, at a time the country is working to extend control over all arms.

Lebanon

Libyan military graduates loyal to the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) take part in a parade marking their graduation, a result of a military training agreement with Turkey, at the Omar Mukhtar camp in the city of Tajoura, southeast of the capital Tripoli on November 21, 2020. (Photo by Mahmud TURKIA / AFP) (Photo by MAHMUD TURKIA/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey seeks two-year extension of Libya troop mandate

The mandate cites ongoing risks and threats that could impact Turkey’s interests in the Mediterranean and North Africa.

Turkey

Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El Khatib speaking at the Egyptian-Qatari Investment Forum in Cairo, Egypt on Dec. 14, 2025 (State Information Service)

Egypt secures Qatari investment boost, launches first SCZONE industrial deal

Bilateral trade between the two countries rose to $143 million during the first ten months of 2025.

Egypt

DECEMBER 14: Police enforce a cordon at Bondi Beach after a mass shooting on December 14, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Two gunmen dressed in black fired several shots at Sydney's world-famous Bondi Beach, causing at least 10 fatalities and several more casualties, as New South Wales police said the toll was very likely to climb. (Photo by George Chan/Getty Images)

Australia shooting targeting Jewish community kills at least 16: What we know

Australian Prime Minister Albanese condemned the shooting as “an act of evil antisemitism, terrorism" and the local police commissioner has said that a counter-terror investigation will be carried out.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

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Analysis

As Turkey’s East Med isolation deepens, will Ankara seek maritime Syria deal?

Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides signs documents with Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny, as Lebanon's president, Joseph Aoun, looks on during an agreement signing ceremony at the presidential palace of Baabda, east of Beirut, on Nov. 26, 2025.

By Ezgi Akin

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

Analysis

Turkey moves into Somalia’s untapped oil, raises stakes in Horn of Africa

This picture taken on Aug. 23, 2019 in Istanbul shows a view of Turkish General Directorate of Mineral research and Exploration's (MTA) Oruc Reis seismic research vessel docked at Haydarpasa port, which searches for hydrocarbon, oil, natural gas and coal reserves at sea.

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Interview

Robots can solve UAE construction labor shortage, says Buildroid AI

What we know about Ahmed al-Ahmed, bystander who wrestled attacker in Sydney shooting

Police vehicles are seen on a road after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Dec. 14, 2025.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

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Forces of Yemen's main separatist group, the Southern Transitional Council, arrive in a mountainous area where they are launching a military operation in the southern province of Abyan, Yemen, December 15, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer

Yemen's main separatist group says it launched military operation in Abyan

Reuters

Hours after the shooting in Bondi Beach, a candlelight vigil was held on a beach in Tel Aviv where mourners lit candles

In Israel, Sydney attack casts shadow over Hanukkah

Agence France-Presse

ICC rejects Israeli bid to halt Gaza war investigation

Reuters

Narges Mohammadi has not seen her children for eight years

Iran Nobel winner unwell after 'violent' arrest: supporters

Agence France-Presse

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The Al-Monitor Brief

Israel fears Iran has rebuilt missile capability as Trump and Netanyahu differ on regional approach

Adam Lucente interviews Ben Caspit

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The Al-Monitor Brief

Why are Gulf investors partaking in Paramount's bid to take over Warner Bros?

Adam Lucente interviews Jack Dutton

16:02

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Yazidis shunned Iraq’s corrupt practices and scored a historic win in parliamentary elections

Amberin Zaman interviews Murad Ismael

25:16

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Cyprus weighs joining Gaza force but 'not enough clarity' on mission, FM says

Constantinos Kombos

Cypriot Foreign Minister

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.

Tamara Alrifai

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

Robots can solve UAE construction labor shortage, says Buildroid AI

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Yemen’s oil heartland fuels new conflict as STC seeks new political power

Yemeni employees walk at the Aden oil refinery company in Yemen's port city of Aden on Sept. 29, 2015.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

Turkey moves into Somalia’s untapped oil, raises stakes in Horn of Africa

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Militant merger in Iran’s Baluchistan signals new threat to Tehran

Iranian soldiers keep watch at a patrol post in Zabol, southeastern Iran, near the Afghan border, on Oct. 10, 2012.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

As Turkey’s East Med isolation deepens, will Ankara seek maritime Syria deal?

By Ezgi Akin

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

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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