Maritime strategy

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.

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.

Analysis

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

Lebanon-Cyprus maritime agreements have further increased Turkey and Turkish Cypriots’ isolation in the Eastern Mediterranean amid growing Cypriot-Greek-Israeli alignment.

Ezgi Akin

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

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.

Analysis

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

Turkey’s plan to start drilling in 2026 marks its most assertive bid yet to secure a strategic foothold in Somalia, as Mogadishu continues to fight an Islamist insurgency.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

SAKIS MITROLIDIS/AFP via Getty Images

Ankara open to US mediation role in Turkey-Greece row with conditions: Source

A Turkish source told Al-Monitor that Ankara could be receptive to the idea of the US playing a role in easing tensions with Greece.

Latest News

Iran accused of seizing vessel in Strait of Hormuz diverted from UAE

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images

UAE’s DP World to invest $5B in India's infrastructure: What to know

An employee wearing a face mask against the coronavirus, is pictured at the port of Jebel Ali, operated by the Dubai-based giant ports operator DP World, in the southern outskirts of the Gulf emirate of Dubai, on June 18, 2020.

United Arab Emirates

Turkey seeks to bolster Eastern Med foothold in new Libya energy talks

A picture taken on Sept. 24, 2020, shows a partial view of the Brega oil port some 270 kilometers west of Libya's eastern city of Benghazi.

Analysis

Saudi Arabia diversifies with new China naval drills, but military remains Western-centric

A Saudi navy ship is pictured docked at King Faisal navy base in Jeddah before the departure of a team to Port Sudan to help with the evacuation efforts of people fleeing Sudan, on April 29, 2023. - Warplanes on bombing raids drew heavy anti-aircraft fire over Khartoum as fierce fighting between Sudan's army and paramilitaries entered a third week, despite a renewed truce. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

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

Houthis ship

Analysis

Is Red Sea truce over? What Houthi attacks mean for US, regional stability

The renewed Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea may give Iran time to recover from the June war with Israel, according to some observers.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente , Rosaleen Carroll

A picture taken during an organized tour by Yemen's Houthi rebels on Nov. 22, 2023, shows the Galaxy Leader cargo ship, seized by Houthi fighters two days earlier, approaching the port in the Red Sea off Yemen's province of Hodeida.

In first attack after truce, Houthis claim to have sunk ship in Red Sea: What to know

A Greek-owned ship on the Red Sea was targeted by the Houthis on Sunday, just months after the Yemeni group reached a ceasefire agreement with the US.

Iranian soldiers take part in the "National Persian Gulf day" in the Strait of Hormuz, on April 30, 2019. The date coincides with the anniversary of a successful military campaign by Shah Abbas the Great of Persia in the 17th century, which drove the Portuguese navy out of the Hormuz Island, after which is named the waterway which separates the Gulf from the Sea of Oman. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Global shippers sound alarm over Strait of Hormuz amid Iran-US-Israel tensions

The critical waterway, which connects the Gulf, Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, sees about a quarter of the world's oil shipments pass through it.

Libyan military strongman Khalifa Hifter (2nd L)

Amid rapprochement with Libya’s Hifter, Turkey says parliament reviewing maritime deal

The review marks a shift in Libya’s internal dynamics and Turkey’s regional diplomacy, though analysts doubt the deal will be ratified.

The Martyr Rais Ali Delvari warship is unveiled during a ceremony in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas on February 27, 2025. (Photo by DEFA Press news agency)

Iran’s IRGC says advanced warship joins naval fleet amid US tensions

The addition appears to be Iran's latest strategic yet cautious positioning in the face of strain with the United States and Israel.

A Russian Steregushchiy class corvette arrives at the port of the Sudanese city of Port Sudan, on March 18, 2021.

Analysis

Following Syria losses, Russia seeks to double down on Africa presence

Following Assad’s fall, Russia has been expanding its influence in Africa by securing a naval base in Sudan and increasing its military presence in Libya to maintain strategic access to the Mediterranean and Red seas.

Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

A general view shows docked ships at the harbor of the Sudanese city of Port Sudan, on April 27, 2021.

Analysis

Sudan, Russia reach 'understanding' on naval base but hurdles remain

A naval base deal that has been more than five years in the making has gained renewed attention after statements from Sudan’s foreign minister while in Moscow.

By Rosaleen Carroll

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

A ship transits the Suez Canal towards the Red Sea on Nov. 3, 2024 in Suez, Egypt.

Egypt’s Suez Canal chief optimistic about Red Sea as attacks die down

The Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea have ceased owing to the ceasefire in Gaza, prompting Egypt to encourage shipping companies to resume sailing through the waterway.

INTERNATIONAL WATERS RED SEA, YEMEN - NOVEMBER 20: This handout screen grab captured from a video shows Yemen's Houthi fighters' takeover of the Galaxy Leader Cargo in the Red Sea coast off Hudaydah, on November 20, 2023 in the Red Sea, Yemen. On Monday, the Houthi movement in Yemen released footage and photos of the Houthi-run coastguard taking over the Israeli-linked Galaxy Leader Vessel in the Red Sea, which had 52 people onboard. Galaxy Leader is owned by Galaxy Maritime Ltd in the Isle of Man and is li

Analysis

How will Trump's terrorist designation of Houthis impact Red Sea attacks?

Oil trade via the Houthi-controlled Bab el-Mandeb strait decreased by 50% after the Yemeni rebels launched maritime attacks, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

A military corvette in the port of Malaga, Spain, March 4, 2020.

Analysis

With Saudi and UAE deals, Spain's defense industry seizes Gulf expansion

This partnership reflects a broader trend of strategic alignment between Gulf states’ economic and security objectives and Spain’s technological expertise especially in the naval sector.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

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

A general view shows warships docked at Hamad Port during the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference (DIMDEX), in the Qatari capital Doha on March 20, 2022.

Analysis

As Qatar looks to modernize navy, Turkey and Italy emerge as dominant players

Qatar's navy ambitions are broad and impressive, but can they be sustained?

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

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

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Ankara, on Dec. 11.

Turkey says Ethiopia, Somalia reach deal to end Somaliland dispute

The Turkish-mediated progress came as the three countries' leaders met in Ankara.