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Anti-government fighters ride military vehicles as they drive along a road in the eastern part of Aleppo province on Dec. 1, 2024.

After capturing Aleppo, Turkey-backed militants attack Syria's Kurds

While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has yet to comment on the events, HTS could not have made its move without Ankara’s tacit blessing.

Syria

Fighters enter the Rashidin district on the outskirts of Aleppo on their motorbikes with smoke billowing in the background during fighting on Nov. 29, 2024, as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadists and allied factions continue their offensive in the Aleppo province against government forces.

Analysis

Will HTS offensive be opening for Erdogan to offer US-Turkey reset on Syria, Russia?

The Russia-Iran alliance has been strengthened by the Ukraine war.

By Andrew Parasiliti

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security

Donald Trump (C), appointed the father of Tiffany Trump's (2nd L) spouse Michael Boulos (far L) to the key diplomatic position

Trump names Lebanese-American Masaad Boulos as Middle East advisor

Agence France-Presse

Royal Saudi Air Force Panavia Tornado and F-15 Eagle fighter aircraft fly over during an airshow.

Analysis

Saudi Arabia’s 2025 budget brings 5% increase to military spending as local industry hits 20%: What we know

The country's strides in defense production reduce it reliance on arms imports while fostering growth of its domestic defense industry.

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan looks on during an Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), in Ankara, on March 16, 2023.

Analysis

For Turkey, can Turkic OTS be an alternative to BRICS?

Composed of Turkey, six other Turkic nations and Hungary, the Organization of Turkic States meshes cultural kinship with political and economic interests. Can it become more?

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Latest News

Analysis

Embattled in Gaza and Lebanon, can Iran defend Assad in Syria amid Aleppo offensive?

Anti-regime fighters drive along the Aleppo- Damascus M5 international highway in the newly captured northwestern area of Khan al-Assal, as smoke rises in the distance on Nov. 29, 2024.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Syria war monitor says rebels control most of Aleppo city

Anti-government fighters gather in front of a hotel in central Aleppo, Syria's second city which a war monitor said jihadist rebels now control most of

Agence France-Presse

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Analysis

Iran looks to invest $6B in Afghanistan as route to China: What to know

Afghan workers carry flour sacks off a freight train upon its arrival from Uzbekistan, at the border station in Hairatan, Balkh Province, March 5, 2024.

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Analysis

What lessons can France draw from Algeria-Spain trade reset?

This picture taken on Aug. 25, 2022 shows the France flag and Algeria flag ahead of the arrival of French President in Algiers for an official visit.

By Jack Dutton

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) meting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Al Ain

Saudi prince discusses 'new crises' in long-awaited UAE visit

Agence France-Presse

A rebel tears down a picture of Assad in Aleppo

Syria, Russia conduct deadly strikes to push back rebel advance

Agence France-Presse

Saudi Arabia is home to one of the world's biggest deserts

Desertification talks open in Saudi Arabia as experts fire warning

Agence France-Presse

Pro-Turkey fighters celebrate in Syria's northern town of Tal Rifaat

Monitor says pro-Turkey fighters seize Syria town from Kurdish forces

Agence France-Presse

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On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

What will Middle East policy look like under the new Trump administration?

Amberin Zaman interviews Jim Jeffrey

The Al-Monitor Brief

Why Turkey’s proposed ‘foreign agent’ law is worrying civil society

Kristen Talman interviews Ezgi Akin

The Al-Monitor Brief

Trump heads back to Washington amid shifted Gulf dynamics

Kristen Talman interviews Jennifer Gnana

13:51

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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

Senior Palestinian official Jibril Rajoub calls for 'Marshall-like plan' to rebuild Gaza

Jibril Rajoub

Fatah Central Committee Secretary-General

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

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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

Solar pannels cover the rooftops of the buildings of the Makhtar boarding school on September 29, 2022, in the Tunisian central-west region of the same name. - The Makthar boarding school, a unique business initiative is both generating income and opening pupils' minds to the outside world. Lotfi Hamadi, founder of the NGO "Wallah (Swear to God) We Can", is hoping that helping schools boost their resources through food and energy production can breathe new life into Tunisia's failing, cash-strapped educatio

Tunisia’s green hydrogen strategy will need domestic stakeholders

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

For Turkey, can Turkic OTS be an alternative to BRICS?

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Saudi Arabia’s 2025 budget brings 5% increase to military spending as local industry hits 20%: What we know

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Analysis

What lessons can France draw from Algeria-Spain trade reset?

By Jack Dutton

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Analysis

Will HTS offensive be opening for Erdogan to offer US-Turkey reset on Syria, Russia?

By Andrew Parasiliti

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security

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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

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