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Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan addresses the audience during a press briefing to review the past year and to share insights regarding regional and global developments, Istanbul, Greece, Jan. 10, 2025.

Turkey’s Fidan heads to Washington with F-35, Syria high on agenda

Turkey's foreign minister will push for F-35 deal and strengthened counterterrorism cooperation with the United States, according to a Turkish diplomatic source.

Turkey

Turkey suspends Imamoglu’s mayoral duties, keeps him under arrest as more protests expected

The Istanbul mayor was temporarily suspended from his duties after his formal arrest by an Istanbul court on Sunday.

Turkey

U.S. 5th FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Sept. 27, 2018) U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Rey White, an aviation boatswains mate handler with the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), launches an F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), from the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), before the F-35B's first combat strike, Sept. 27, 2018. The Essex is the flagship for the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 13th MEU, is deploye

Analysis

F-35s back on table? Erdogan courts Trump to revive US-Turkey defense ties

Experts are optimistic that three major areas can see improvement in Ankara-Washington ties after a phone call between the US and Turkish presidents.

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Israeli army Merkava main battle tanks move at a position in southern Israel along the border fence with the northern Gaza Strip on March 18, 2025.

Analysis

With ceasefire shattered, what's next for Israel’s military invasion of Gaza?

It is unclear whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan is to pressure Hamas until it agrees to compromise on the hostage deal or if he is now heading toward resuming the war until Hamas is defeated.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

US military aircraft as seen at US Military Camp Lemonnier on Jan. 21, 2024, in Djibouti.

Analysis

Trump tries hard power in Horn of Africa as Turkey, UAE expand influence

The Trump administration is intensifying military operations and cutting aid in the Horn of Africa, while Turkey and the UAE expand their influence, creating both cooperation and competition with US objectives in the region.

By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

Latest News

Feature

Fearing for safety, Syria's Alawites who fled to Lebanon have no plans to return

Members of a family riding a motorcycle drive past a charred car in the town of Jableh in Syria's coastal province of Latakia on March 12, 2025. At least 1,383 civilians, the vast majority of them Alawites, were killed in a recent wave of violence that gripped Syria's Mediterranean coast, a war monitor said on March 12. (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR / AFP) (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images)

By Katya Hovnanian-Alexanian

Israel launches more strikes on Lebanon after rocket fire

Damaged cars after an Israeli strike targeted a neighbourhood in the southern Lebanese city of Tyre

Agence France-Presse

Analysis

AI, aluminum and chips: Decoding UAE's Sheikh Tahnoon's visit to Trump

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates’ national security advisor and a key proponent of the state’s artificial intelligence ambitions, met U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, March 18. Embassy of the United Arab Emirates

By Jack Dutton

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

Analysis

How France’s growing Morocco ties fueled diplomatic crisis with Algeria

Morocco's king, Mohammed VI, speaks with France's president, Emmanuel Macron, as France's minister of the interior, Bruno Retailleau, and his counterpart from Morocco sign documents during their meeting in the Royal Palace in the capital, Rabat, on Oct. 28, 2024.

By Sabena Siddiqui

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

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A displaced Palestinian burns pages of a book, collected from the destroyed Islamic University, to cook a meal in Gaza City

Fatah urges Hamas to cede power to safeguard 'Palestinians' existence'

Agence France-Presse

Fighters loyal to Sudan's regular army pose for photographs at the battle-damaged presidential palace in Khartoum after its recapture from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces

Sudan army advances in central Khartoum after retaking palace

Agence France-Presse

An Israeli shell hits farmland near the south Lebanon village of Yohmor as defence chiefs threaten a severe response to renewed rocket fire from Lebanon.

One dead as Israel strikes Lebanon after cross-border rocket fire

Agence France-Presse

Syrians from the Alawite minority take shelter at a school in Lebanon's Masaoudiyeh village, after mass killings in their homeland

From Lebanon refuge, trauma scars Syria's minority Alawites

Agence France-Presse

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On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa will keep Russia in the game

Amberin Zaman interviews Jerome Drevon

The Al-Monitor Brief

What’s next for Turkey and Erdogan after arrest of Istanbul mayor Imamoglu?

Adam Lucente interviews Amberin Zaman

13:17

The Al-Monitor Brief

What’s in Syria’s new constitution?

Adam Lucente interviews Rosaleen Carroll

11:02

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Interview

In break with Netanyahu, Olmert urges Israel to recognize Syria’s Sharaa, open dialogue

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert speaks during a briefing on US President Donald Trump's Mideast peace plan on February 11, 2020 in New York. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas told the UN Security Council that the world should reject President Donald Trump's Middle East plan, which he said would limit Palestinian sovereignty in a "Swiss cheese" deal. "We reject the Israeli-American plan," which "throws into question the legitimate rights of the Palestinians," Abbas said, brandishing a large map of

Interview

As AI superpowers clash, Saudi tech diplomat pushes collaboration over competition

Deemah AlYahya

Secretary General, Digital Cooperation Organization

Interview

Amid Israel's rightward shift, left struggles for relevance

Yair Golan

Chair of the Democrats Party

Interview

Israel's renewed Gaza strikes put last living US hostage at risk, family warns

Yael Alexander, mother of Edan Alexander, left, and Orna Neutra, mother of Omer Neutra, second from right, listen as Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), right, speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill on March 6, 2024 in Washington, DC.

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

With ceasefire shattered, what's next for Israel’s military invasion of Gaza?

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

F-35s back on table? Erdogan courts Trump to revive US-Turkey defense ties

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

How France’s growing Morocco ties fueled diplomatic crisis with Algeria

By Sabena Siddiqui

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

Analysis

Trump tries hard power in Horn of Africa as Turkey, UAE expand influence

By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

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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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