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Politics & Security

The Ateela 2 oil tanker boat navigates the sea on April 28, 2026, on Qeshm Island, Iran, in the Strait of Hormuz.

Analysis

How long can Iran's economy withstand Trump's naval blockade?

Iranian authorities are denouncing US seizures of the country's oil tankers as piracy, but mounting disruptions to maritime trade are exposing economic fragility beneath Tehran's claims of control and resilience.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Prime Minister Mohammed S. al-Sudani met with Prime Minister-designate Ali Faleh al-Zaidi on April 28, 2026.

Meet Ali al-Zaidi, businessman and Iraq's new prime minister-designate

Legal sources familiar with the nominee told Al-Monitor that there are no US sanctions on Zaidi or financial institutions affiliated with him.

Cadets of the Saiqa Force (Special Forces) of the self-styled Libyan National Army affiliated with eastern strongman Khalifa Hifter take part in a graduation ceremony in tribute to the force's late commander, Wanis Bukhamada, in the eastern city of Benghazi, on Jan. 20, 2022.

In first, Libya’s rival armies to join drill in Turkey: What to know

The move follows the first joint exercise inside Libya amid renewed international efforts to unify the country.

Latest News

Israel rejects Ukraine's claim that Russian shadow fleet vessel docked in Haifa

DENIS LOVROVIC/AFP via Getty Images

US seeks to train Lebanon army units to disarm Hezbollah: What to know

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C), alongside US State Department Counselor Michael Needham (2L) and US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa (2R), speaks during a meeting.

Analysis

Despite Trump pressure to limit Israel's Lebanon attacks, Aoun-Netanyahu meeting still unlikely

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

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

UAE to leave OPEC on May 1

Thomas Kronsteiner/Getty Images)

United Arab Emirates

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Diplomatic Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Ezgi Akin

Associate Editor (Turkey)

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

Ben Caspit

Israel Columnist

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

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Egypt's prime minister, Mostafa Madbouly (R), meets with his counterpart from Sudan, Kamil Idris, upon his arrival in Egypt's capital, Cairo, on Aug. 7, 2025.

Sudan PM visits Egypt as Khartoum claims downing UAE plane: What to know

Just a day before the visit, Sudan’s military said it shot down an Emirati plane carrying Colombian mercenaries for the RSF, prompting outrage from Colombia.

A grafitti on a wall in Tadamon that depicts the flag of the ISIS. Tadamon, Syria, on Feb. 7, 2025.

Syrian forces dismantle ISIS cell near Turkish border: What to know

Syria says it has thwarted a number of ISIS plots in 2025 as the group seeks to exploit sectarian tensions in the country.

AMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey-France rivalry disrupts US-led mediation between Damascus, Syrian Kurds

Ankara is pressuring Damascus to cancel talks in Paris, fearing French support will tilt negotiations in favor of the Kurds, regional officials told Al-Monitor.

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Trump response muted as Israel's Netanyahu threatens full Gaza takeover

President Donald Trump appears ambivalent to an expansion of Israel’s military campaign that experts warn could endanger the hostages and wreak further havoc on the war-torn Palestinian territory.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends his first press conference, after taking office. on September 16, 2024 in Tehran, Iran.

Iran’s president to visit Armenia, China: What to know

Tehran is looking to strengthen ties with regional and Asian powers as Western sanctions continue to squeeze its economy.

Turkish Foreign Ministry

Turkey’s Fidan visits Syria as Ankara pushes SDF to disarm: What to know

The top Turkish diplomat’s visit to Damascus comes as Ankara ramps up pressure for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to lay down arms.

Muhammad Ahmad Hussein (L), the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, walks in front of the Dome of the Rock mosque following Friday prayers in Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque complex, on September 10, 2021.

Israel bans Jerusalem grand mufti from Al-Aqsa: What to know

The decision follows a controversial visit to the holy site by far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

A fighter of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) aims a machine gun while lying prone during a joint military exercise with forces of the US-led "Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve" coalition against the Islamic State (IS) group in the countryside of the town of al-Malikiya (Derik in Kurdish) in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province on Sept. 7, 2022.

Turkey turns up heat on SDF to disarm as US Syria envoy returns to Damascus

While Turkey demands that the SDF disarms, Washington is trying to revive stalled talks between Kurdish forces and the new Syrian government in Damascus.

A picture taken on Jan. 13, 2020, shows US Army drones at the Ain al-Asad air base in the western Iraqi province of Anbar.

Analysis

How lessons from Iran, Ukraine are shaping US Army’s new missile defense plan

The Army's 2040 air and missile defense strategy aims to overcome gaps exploited by adversaries like Iran while heading off higher-tech advances from China and Russia.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

An undated image of Enes Hocaogullari.

Turkey arrests youth delegate over Council of Europe address: What to know

The youth activist’s arrest adds to Ankara’s growing isolation as Turkey faces suspension from Europe’s top human rights body.

Syria thwarts church attack in Tartous, blames Assad 'remnants': What to know

Syrian officials blamed the attack on a group affiliated with the government of former President Bashar al-Assad.

Zamir

Israel's Netanyahu, army chief face off over possible Gaza City offensive

Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir opposes plans to take control of Gaza City, where some 800,000 Palestinians reside.