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Lebanese President Joseph Aoun speaks during a government meeting at the Presidential Palace in Beirut, Lebanon, on September 5, 2025.

Breaking

Last Updated: June 17, 2026, 1:06 pm

Lebanon President Joseph Aoun to visit White House this month, Trump says

The visit would be the first by a Lebanese head of state to the White House in decades.

Lebanon

US President Donald Trump arrives to attend a musical interlude before a gala dinner as part of the G7 summit, in Evian, eastern France, on June 16, 2026.

Trump says deal 'not final,' warns Iran to 'behave' or face renewed strikes

President Donald Trump threatened to "go back to shooting" if he doesn't like the deal.

Iran

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji meets with Fahd bin Abdulrahman bin Hathloul Al-Dosari, the new Saudi ambassador to Lebanon, in Beirut on June 17, 2026.

Who is Fahd Al-Dosari, Saudi Arabia’s new ambassador to Lebanon?

Ambassador Fahd bin Abdulrahman bin Hathloul Al-Dosari, a seasoned diplomat, arrives in Beirut as Saudi Arabia seeks to strengthen its ties with Lebanon.

Lebanon

An Iranian woman waves a national flag at Valiasr Square in Tehran on June 15, 2026.

Analysis

Why Iran's hard-liners are turning on each other over US deal

Iran's memorandum of understanding with the United States has triggered unusual regime infighting, as the official line hails victory, while hard-liners worry about strategic concessions and hidden traps.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Snipers set up their positions above of the US Capitol on Feb. 24, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Scrutiny builds over Iran deal kept from lawmakers

Both Republicans and Democrats are calling for the White House to show them the deal.

Iran

Latest News

Analysis

Why Trump’s push for Syria to confront Hezbollah is an unlikely bid

Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa is welcomed by Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides in Nicosia on April 24, 2026, on the sidelines of a European summit.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Exclusive-Iran deal includes $300 billion fund, more than half of which already committed, source says

A view of Milad Tower, in Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

'Let Syria take care of Hezbollah': Trump criticizes Israel, leans on Sharaa to help in Lebanon

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, FRANCE - JUNE 16: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a bilateral meeting with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the sidelines of the G7 summit, on June 16, 2026 in Evian-les-Bains, France. Leaders from the Group of 7 (G7) countries convened in Evian, France, near the Swiss border, for their annual summit to discuss challenges to peace and security for Ukraine and Europe, the situation in the Middle East, and other geopolitical issues. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Get

Syria

Culture

Turkey’s Erdogan meets Orthodox patriarch amid push for reopening Halki Seminary

Turkey

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Oil prices jumped Monday as the UAE came under missile and drone attacks after US warships crossed the Strait of Hormuz

Recovery of ship traffic in Hormuz limited, but signs emerge

Agence France-Presse

Factbox-The 14-point draft of the U.S.-Iran deal

Reuters

Trump says will discuss with Gulf nations Iran's ballistic missiles, terrorist proxies

Reuters

Trump says he did not want to see economic catastrophe as he defends Iran deal

Reuters

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Trump says Israel should be “more responsible” in Lebanon, suggests Syria could help with Hezbollah

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Saudi Arabia eyes state-backed stablecoin amid digital finance push

The symbols of bitcoin and the stablecoin Tether (USDT) are displayed at a cryptocurrency store in Hong Kong on July 29, 2025.

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As Sudan war drags on, US-Iran conflict compounds humanitarian crisis in Darfur

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Armenia candidate Tatoyan eyes Pashinyan's pro-West mantle in sea of Russia-backed rivals

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Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Why Trump’s push for Syria to confront Hezbollah is an unlikely bid

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Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

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Iraqi Christian man in dark blue sweater sitting in an office

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Amberin Zaman, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Danny Makki, Joyce Karam in a virtual discussion on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to Washington

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Al-Monitor chief correspondent Amberin Zaman interviews H.E. Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

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Plestia Alaqad on Gaza and South Lebanon

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The Israel-Hamas War: Live Q&A with Amb. David Satterfield (Part 2)

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Past

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

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

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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