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

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Politics & Security

An Iranian woman holds up an image of Iran's new supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

Iran president says he held official meeting with Mojtaba Khamenei: What to know

The president’s announcement marks the first public confirmation of a meeting between a senior official and Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen publicly since the start of the war.

People look at a drone on display at the Baykar exhibit at the SAHA International Defence and Aerospace Expo on May 06, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Turkey, Japan launch defense industry partnership with eye on drones

The initiative could eventually lead to joint UAV development and production as Japan looks to expand drone capabilities amid regional tensions.

People gather at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted Beirut's southern suburbs neighborhood of Haret Hreik on May 6, 2026.

Israel strikes Beirut in breach of Lebanon ceasefire

Israel has continued to carry out strikes in southern Lebanon but had not targeted Beirut since the ceasefire took effect.

Latest News

Saudi FM in Turkey as Ankara, Riyadh step up coordination amid Iran war

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara, May 6, 2026.

Iran, China discuss Hormuz reopening amid potential US-Iran talks

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, second right, talks to his Iranian Counterpart Abbas Araghchi, left, during the bilateral meeting in Beijing, Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

Lebanon, Israel eye third round of talks, but no Netanyahu-Aoun meeting in sight

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

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

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greets Syrian President Bashar Assad during the Arab summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday. Saudi Press Agency / Saudi Press Agency via AP

Saudi Arabia and Syria resume regular flights as thaw with Assad advances

The move signals a new step toward further developing the relations between the two countries.

An internal security patrol escorts women, reportedly wives of Islamic State fighters, in the al-Hol camp in al-Hasakah governorate in northeastern Syria, on July 23, 2019.

Widow of ISIS leader sentenced to death in Iraq: What we know

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's wife held Yazidi women captured by the Islamic State in her home, according to Iraqi authorities.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Egypt, Qatar, US, Israel officials convene in Doha for Gaza cease-fire talks

The talks began in Cairo, days after Hamas said it would drop its initial demand for a permanent cease-fire.

Newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks during a visit to the shrine of the Islamic Republic's founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Tehran on July 6, 2024.

Iran's Pezeshkian assures Russia’s Putin, Hezbollah chief of continued support

Masoud Pezeshkian's messages indicate that Iran's strategic ties with Russia and militia allies are unlikely to change under his presidency, as the agenda largely rests with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Joe Biden take part in a working session on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Energy, Africa-Mediterranean at the Borgo Egnazia resort during the G7 Summit in Savelletri near Bari, Italy, on June 14, 2024.

Turkey’s Erdogan arrives in US for NATO summit: Defense sales, PKK ties in focus

The Turkish president said cooperation against terrorism and removing defense sale obstacles against his country will top his agenda during his trip.

A flag bearing portraits of (L-R) slain Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Hezbollah military leader Imad Moghniyeh, and Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani, flutters after a raising ceremony by Lebanon's Hezbollah supporters and members on a hill facing the Israeli northern town of Metula by the border with Lebanon, on January 3, 2021, to mark the first anniversary of the killing of Soleimani and al-Muhandis in a US drone strike. (Photo by Ali DIA / AFP) (Photo by ALI DIA/AFP via Get

Hezbollah airs drone footage of Israeli military sites in Golan Heights

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated in recent weeks, including with the Israeli killing of one of the Iran-backed group’s commanders.

An undated image of Amin Abed.

Palestinians in war-torn Gaza outraged over assault of anti-Hamas activist

A prominent activist known for his anti-Hamas positions was attacked by unknown armed men in Gaza amid the ongoing Israeli war, with many blaming Hamas for the attack.

EYAD BABA/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Egypt enraged by Netanyahu's demands as talks stall, Israel-Cairo ties tumble

The list of non-negotiable demands Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued ahead of talks for a hostage release deal are likely to not only sabotage negotiations, but also harm Israel’s relations with Egypt.

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

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 30: CIA Director William Burns and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines depart from the U.S. Capitol Building on January 30, 2024 in Washington, DC. Burns and Haines attended a briefing on Ukraine, Israel and the Middle East for the House Intelligence Committee and House Leadership. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

US officials Burns, McGurk in Cairo to close gaps in Gaza cease-fire talks

A White House spokesperson said there are differences that remain between the two sides, even after Hamas softened its demands in its latest counterproposal.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 1: U.S. President Joe Biden arrives for a news conference following the Supreme Court's ruling on charges against former President Donald Trump that he sought to subvert the 2020 election, at the White House on July 1, 2024 in Washington, DC. The highest court ruled 6-3 that presidents have some level of immunity from prosecution when operating within their "constitutional authority," but do not have absolute immunity. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Middle East crises loom in background as NATO leaders gather in Washington

While this year's summit is expected to focus largely on the ongoing war in Ukraine, Iran's military support for Russia and Turkey's strategic balancing act with Moscow are expected to weigh on NATO leaders gathered in Washington.

Washington Pulse

Fighters of PKK inside Matin mountain north of Dohuk in a temporary base after leaving Turkish territory, on June 22, 2013.

Analysis

Baghdad silent as Turkey moves deeper against PKK militants in northern Iraq

A drone attack on Monday comes amid widening Turkish operations against PKK targets inside Iraqi Kurdistan.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Officers of the Directorate of Narcotics Control of Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry sort through tablets of Captagon.

Saudi's latest drug bust: thousands of narcotics tablets, 760 pounds of qat

Saudi Arabia is a major destination for the amphetamine Captagon, though seizures have decreased recently due to more enforcement in transit countries like Jordan, according to a recent report.