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

politics and security cover image

Politics & Security

Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos Hessebon meets with Marco Rubio in Washington on May 11, 2026.

Rubio hosts Ethiopia’s FM amid push to boost security ties: What to know

In response to heightening regional volatility, Ethiopia is prioritizing a strategic partnership with the Washington to secure its geopolitical standing.

A picture taken on March 12, 2017, shows an Panamanian tanker docking at the platform of the oil facility in the Khark Island, on the shore of the Gulf.

Breaking | Last Updated: May 11, 2026, 4:31 pm

US hits China-linked Iran oil trade with sanctions ahead of Trump trip

The sanctions come after the United States rejected Iran's latest proposal to end the war.

French Deputy Armed Forces Minister Alice Rufo

After year away, France returns ambassador to Algeria: What to know

France and Algeria have made efforts to improve ties recently, with the strain resulting from disagreements over Western Sahara and their shared colonial past.

Turkish Red Crescent's cars and trucks cross the Turkish border as they leave the Syrian city of Tel Abyad on Oct. 19, 2019, in Akcakale, Turkey.

Turkey's border reopening unlocks new sphere of influence in Syria

Turkey reopened the Akcakale-Tell Abyad crossing on Monday, ending an 11-year closure along the Syria border.

Latest News

Trump calls Iran response 'piece of garbage,' set to meet military advisers

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MAY 2: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to journalists before boarding Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport on May 2, 2026 in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump is spending the weekend at his Mar-A-Lago resort. (Photo by Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)

EU ministers agree to sanction violent West Bank settlers: What to know

Two men stand next to the burned remains of a Palestinian vehicle in the Wadi al-Rakhim area of Susya village in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on May 1, 2026.

Upcoming Lebanon-Israel talks will see higher-level participation, discuss security ‘framework’

Anwar AMRO / AFP via 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

Palestinians inspect the destruction caused by Israeli strikes on their homes in the village of Khuzaa, near Abasan east of Khan Yunis near the border fence between Israel and the southern Gaza Strip on Nov. 27, 2023.

Day 70 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Friday, Dec. 15

Policemen stand guard outside Sweden's embassy in Tehran on June 30 2023, during a demonstration denouncing the burning of Islam's holy book.

Iran Sunni province awaits crackdown after militant attack

Iran's past pledges to give a "decisive" response to similar militant attacks in Sistan-Baluchistan have effectively meant widespread local raids, a rise in executions and stricter security controls in the already restive region.

French President Emmanuel Macron attends a video conference at the presidential Elysee Palace on Oct. 20, 2023.

How France is targeting Hamas financing

Representatives of 20 countries gathered in Paris to formulate a plan against the financing of Hamas and expand sanctions against its members.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads the weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem on December 10, 2023

Day 69 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Thursday, Dec. 14

KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP via Getty Images

Iran slams US' planned maritime force in Red Sea

The Iranian threats come amid repeated attacks against vessels in the area, mostly claimed by the Iran-backed Houthi group.

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Does Hamas have a future after Gaza war?

Also: Qatar’s outsized diplomacy and we need to talk about Iran.

Week in Review

Andrew Parasiliti

By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and US President Joe Biden.

Breaking | Last Updated: December 15, 2023, 2:18 am

Erdogan says US has ‘historic responsibility’ to ensure Gaza cease-fire in call with Biden

The phone call comes amid increasingly frayed ties between Ankara and Washington.

Saadet (Felicity) Party deputy Hasan Bitmez delivers a speech shortly before collapsing at the podium in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Ankara, Dec. 12, 2023.

Turkey: Lawmaker dies after heart attack in parliament

The lawmaker’s cardiac arrest followed a speech critical of Turkish-Israeli relations and provoked strong reactions on the Turkish Twittersphere.

Mousa Abu Marzouk is seen during a Nov. 7 interview with the BBC.

Interview

In shift, a top Hamas official floats Israel recognition

In an interview with Al-Monitor, senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk suggested the militant group would adhere to the Palestine Liberation Organization’s stance on Israel.

Mousa Abu Marzouk

Mousa Abu Marzouk

Senior Hamas official

Family members of American hostages held by Hamas speak to the press outside the White House in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 13, 2023, after a meeting with US President Joe Biden.

Biden meets with families of Americans held hostage by Hamas

As President Joe Biden meets at the White house with families of those kidnapped by Hamas, his administration keeps its efforts to jump-start negotiations for a new release deal.

Signs criticizing the Iranian Islamic Regime's use of the death penalty are seen in Trafalgar Square on Sept. 16, 2023, in London, England.

Iran executions rise as world busy with Israel-Hamas war

A man accused of killing a powerful senior cleric was executed in Iran, as rights groups warn of a rising number of executions.

The Marco Polo, the largest cargo ship to call at an East Coast port, arrives into New York Harbor on May 20, 2021 in New York City. The 1,300 foot ship is owned and operated by the French transport company CMA CGM Group. The Marco Polo, which is only slightly smaller than the container ship that got stuck in Egypt's Suez Canal in March, will arrive into the Elizabeth-Port Authority Marine Terminal and spend two days there before leaving for Norfolk, Virginia. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Houthi Red Sea attacks pose challenge to global trade

David Rosenberg

David Rosenberg

In Tel Aviv, reporting on business and tech