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

Thousands of people wave Syrian flags as they gather in a square during an anniversary rally in Idlib, Syria, on Dec. 8, 2025. (Photo by Omar Albaw/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

US eyes embassy reopening, Syria’s terror delisting after Caesar repeal

The Caesar Act's repeal opens the door to improved US-Syria diplomatic and economic ties, but questions remain about embassy operations and lingering sanctions.

Syria

Analysis

Turkey rebuffs air-defense criticism after drone shot down near Ankara

The incident near the capital has sparked debate over response and raised questions over Turkey’s defense capabilities.

By Ezgi Akin

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

Syrian Yazidi women dressed in traditional clothing dance with other revelers during a ceremony marking the Yazidi New Year in the Kurdish village of Dogir near Amuda in northeastern Syria on April 17, 2024.

Culture

Syria’s Kurdish artists defy ISIS mentality through music, dance

In northeast Syria, Kurdish women are using music and performance to assert cultural identity, promote female empowerment and navigate postwar challenges.

Syria

This photograph taken during a press tour organised by the Lebanese army shows Lebanese soldiers standing atop a military vehicle in Alma Al-Shaab, near the border with Israel in southern Lebanon, on November 28, 2025. It was the first guided tour the army gave journalists since a November 2024 ceasefire sought to end over a year of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (Photo by Anwar AMRO / AFP via Getty Images)

US, France and Saudi Arabia agree to conference to bolster Lebanon’s army

France is looking for more support for a committee monitoring the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.

Lebanon

Egypt lands $572M UAE-backed solar deal, expanding Gulf's clean-energy footprint

Gulf companies have been increasing their investments in North African renewable energy.

Egypt

Latest News

Iran appoints new air defense, air force chiefs in post-war shakeup

Iran

Senate vote paves way for Trump to repeal Syria’s Caesar sanctions

Syria

Qatar’s prime minister meets US officials as Gaza plan stalls

Qatar

Syria foils major arms smuggling attempt to Lebanon: What we know

The Internal Security Directorate in the Zabadani area of rural Damascus thwarted an attempt to smuggle a shipment of weapons and seized large quantities of RPG shells that were hidden in an organized manner and prepared for smuggling towards Lebanon, on Dec. 17, 2025.

Syria

Subscribe to the Daily Briefing for only $1.67 per month.

The most authoritative roundup for Middle East news everyday in your inbox.

What you get

Daily email with comprehensive regional news coverage
Start with a two-week free trial
Summary of all key insights from our in-country journalists.

Members of the Jewish community gather for Shacharit, morning prayers, as the crime scene was reopened following the mass shooting at Bondi Beach on Sunday, in Sydney, Australia, December 19, 2025. REUTERS/Hollie Adams

Australian Jews hold prayers, hundreds of surfers paddle out at Bondi to honour shooting victims

Reuters

Flowers lie on the bridge as the crime scene was reopened following the mass shooting at Bondi Beach on Sunday, in Sydney, Australia, December 19, 2025. REUTERS/Hollie Adams

Australia police say detained men likely had ideological links to Bondi gunmen

Reuters

FILE PHOTO: President of Iraq, Barham Salih, speaks during the 76th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, U.S. September 23, 2021. Timothy A. Clary/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

UN elects former Iraqi President to lead UN refugee agency

Reuters

Trump expected to sign $1 trillion annual defense bill

Reuters

Featured Newsletters

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

The Saudi-UAE clash: The regional stakes and what Trump can do

Amberin Zaman interviews Joyce Karam

20:47

The Al-Monitor Brief

Sydney Hanukkah attack: Implications for Israel, Australia’s security and fight against antisemitism

Adam Lucente interviews Gabrielle Debinski

9:36

The Al-Monitor Brief

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

Adam Lucente interviews Ben Caspit

19:31

ALM Interviews

Exclusive conversations with Al-Monitor.

See All

Interview

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

Iran’s FM Araghchi in Moscow as biting sanctions drive closer Russia ties

TATYANA MAKEYEVA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

Trump's Syria envoy Barrack tests Israel's patience as Netanyahu pushes back

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) meets with US special envoy Tom Barrack, Jerusalem, Dec. 15 2

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

Will deadly Palmyra attack accelerate SDF's integration into Syrian forces?

Armed personnel of SDF and public security forces of the new Syrian government stand guard in al-Ramun district of Aleppo, Syria, on April 3, 2025.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Analysis

Turkey rebuffs air-defense criticism after drone shot down near Ankara

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

Play Video

1:00:44

Iraqis prepare to head to the polls

Play Video

1:34

Amberin Zaman Reports from Damascus

Play Video

0:30

Elizabeth Hagedorn Reporting from UNGA in New York

Play Video

1:07

ALM Events

Convening global leaders in business, policy and media.

See All

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

Our Journalists

See All

Latest News

Subscribe to the Daily Briefing for only $1.67 per month.

What you get

Featured Newsletters

Select your cities and get the latest in the arts, music and entertainment.

Editor's choice

Stay informed with our daily and weekly newsletters

Read By

Podcasts

ALM Interviews

The City Pulse Newsletters

Analysis

Watch

ALM Events

Our Journalists