Politics & Security - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

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Politics & Security

Nawaf Salam and Asaad al-Shibani shake hands in Beirut on July 2, 2026.

Syria, Lebanon stress noninterference as Damascus mulls Hezbollah talks

When asked whether Damascus would be willing to meet with Hezbollah in the future, Syria’s foreign minister indicated that it would not rule out such a meeting.

Nathan Howard / AFP via Getty Images

As Trump touts nuclear progress, US-Iran talks show little momentum

With a final nuclear agreement far from reach, the US-Iran conflict risks settling into a new status quo.

Syrian security forces and people gather at the site of an explosion at a cafe in the capital, Damascus, on July 2, 2026.

At least 6 killed, 22 wounded in Damascus cafe explosion: What to know

Syrian authorities have yet to identify a perpetrator in relation to the incident, and armed groups opposing the transitional government did not immediately take credit.

Latest News

Turkish jets strike al-Shabab targets in Somalia: What to know

Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud speaks during the launch of an offshore energy exploration at the port in Mogadishu on April 10, 2026.

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

A billboard by the Coalition for Regional Security, with the Hebrew slogan which reads "A time for war, a time for settlement; now is the time for the 'Abrahamic Covenant,'" is displayed in Tel Aviv on June 26, 2025.

US envoy in Saudi Arabia to coordinate Syria support amid Abraham Accords push

Tom Barrack, who has been vocal about the need to engage the new Syrian government, said the Trump administration’s goal is to protect the country from Iran-backed groups.

Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani, Permanent Representative of Iran to the UN, speaks during a press conference at the United Nations headquarters on June 16, 2025 in New York City.

Interview

Iran open to regional consortium, enriched uranium transfer in US nuclear talks

Iran’s UN ambassador says his country would consider transfer of enriched uranium stockpiles and outside investment in energy sector if there is an agreement with the US, but that the country is unwilling to accept restrictions on its missile program or domestic enrichment.

Amir Saeid Iravani

Amir Saeid Iravani

Permanent Representative of Iran to the UN

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday held a phone call with billionaire businessman and former senior figure in the Trump administration Elon Musk, during which the two discussed the potential of Musk entering Lebanon’s telecom and internet sectors. What happened: A statement from the Lebanese presidency said that in their phone call, Musk “expressed his deep interest in Lebanon and its telecommunications and internet sectors.” Musk also expressed his desire for his companies to “have a presence

Elon Musk calls Lebanon’s Aoun, signals plans to bring Starlink to Beirut

A senior Starlink official met with Joseph Aoun last month for ongoing talks on bringing the technology to Lebanon.

A military parade held by Iraq's army, Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation Forces), and the Police force drives on a highway during a ceremony marking the anniversary of the defeat of the Islamic State (IS) group, in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on December 10, 2024. Iraq declared victory over fighters from the IS group at the end of 2017 after a three-year battle in which the jihadists had seized large swathes of the country. But jihadist cells still launch sporadic attacks against the army and poli

Pentagon slashes budget request for Iraq counter-ISIS funds: What to know

A more than 40% reduction in funding for Iraqi security forces comes as the Defense Department continues to pivot to bilateral ties with Baghdad's institutions.

Pope Leo XIV exchanges skullcap (zucchetto) during an audience to the participants in the Meeting of Priests promoted by the Dicastery for the Clergy at the auditorium Conciliazione in Rome on June 26, 2025. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Pope Leo decries 'special interests' and MidEast wars, calls Gaza 'inhumane'

The pontiff described the situation in Gaza as “tragic and inhumane,” saying that international law is being cast aside in favor of force.

ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images

In first speech after war, Khamenei strikes defiant tone against US, Israel

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed Iran would not "surrender" to the US and made a number of claims about the damage inflicted on Israel and the US base in Qatar.

A poster of the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant.

Pentagon reveals new details about strike on Iran’s Fordow: What to know

Top defense official says "no one" is on the ground at Fordow to assess the damage, as the Trump administration tries to dispel doubts about the effectiveness of the US bombing raid designed to knock out Iran’s main enrichment facility.

Jared Szuba

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

KEMAL ASLAN/AFP via Getty Images

As it presses for F-35 jets, Turkey prioritizes air defense for NATO’s 5% spending target

As Turkey prioritizes boosting its air defense system to meet NATO’s new spending target, the president has revived Ankara’s push to buy fighter jets.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is briefed.

Why Netanyahu accepted Trump’s ceasefire deal with Iran

In accepting the US-brokered ceasefire with Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu likely weighed operational factors and American pressure alongside significant domestic political considerations.

Aziz Nasirzadeh

Iran defense chief visits China, first trip after war with Israel: What to know

While Iran and China maintain a deepening military and economic partnership, Beijing offered only rhetorical support during Iran’s 12-day war with Israel.