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Politics & Security

Analysis

As Trump prioritizes Hormuz, Israel fears Iran rebuilding nuclear program while preserving ballistic missile threat

Israel is worried that the United States is centering the Strait of Hormuz, deprioritizing the threat of a nuclear Iran.

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

This photograph taken from the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh shows smoke as it rises from the site of an Israeli-controlled explosion in the village of Kfar Tibnit, with the Beaufort citadel seen in the distance, July 13, 2026.

Lebanon-Israel framework deal faces first major test in Rome: What to know

Lebanon and Israel began a sixth round of talks in Rome to discuss the US-brokered framework agreement, amid delays and disputes over the implementation of the pilot zone arrangement in southern Lebanon.

US President Donald Trump gestures as he steps off Air Force One to board the new Qatari-gifted Boeing plane, en route to the United States following his participation in the NATO Summit at Royal Air Force Mildenhall on July 8, 2026, in Mildenhall, England.

Trump says US to strike Iran's Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site

Satellite imagery has detected recent construction at the underground facility.

Latest News

Explainer

Israel's next election: Who's leading in polls and what's at stake?

Israelis turn out to cast their ballots on election day for the 20th Knesset on March 17, 2015 in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Turkey, Egypt expand military ties with cooperation frameworks: What to know

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and his Egyptian counterpart, Lt. Gen. Ashraf Salem Zaher, met at the Turkey’s Defense Ministry in Ankara, July 13, 2026.

Yemen’s Houthis accuse Saudi Arabia of striking Sanaa airport: What to know

Mohammed HUWAIS / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

On first foreign trip, Iraqi PM Zaidi woos Trump but Iran casts long shadow

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at a Council of Ministers meeting in Baghdad on July 11, 2026.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

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 pro Palestinian activist waves Palestinian and South African flags as she demonstrates following the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling of the case against Israel brought by South Africa in The Hague at the U.S. Consulate in Johannesburg on January 26, 2024. South African lawyers presented their case at the UN's top court in The Hague, where South Africa lodged an urgent appeal to force Israel to "immediately suspend" its military operations in Gaza. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled

Arab world, Iran, Turkey welcome ICJ ruling in Israel's genocide case

The region welcomed the ICJ’s ruling demanding Israel act to prevent acts of genocide against Gazans.

Luke Dray/Getty Images

Yemen’s Houthis fire missile at US warship as Biden seeks China's aid

The Houthis targeted a US Navy destroyer with an anti-ship ballistic missile as Biden's top adviser was due to meet China's top diplomat in Thailand on Friday to discuss reining in the Yemeni faction's attacks.

President Joan Donoghue (C), and other judges in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) take their seats prior to the hearing on the genocide case against Israel, brought by South Africa, in The Hague on Jan. 11, 2024.

ICJ rules Israel must 'take all measures' to prevent genocide, stops short of ordering Gaza cease-fire

South Africa had filed a case with the court earlier this month arguing that Israel’s military operation in Gaza amounted to a state-led genocide.

Citizens inspect the effects of the destruction of the Omar bin Abdul Aziz Mosque, and the houses adjacent to it, due to Israeli air strikes on Jan. 25, 2024 in Rafah.

US pressures Israel on military targeting as Khan Younis fighting intensifies

In a webinar with Al-Monitor, the US special envoy for Middle East humanitarian issues David Satterfield said the Israeli military should be doing more to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza.

Palestinians stand amidst the rubble of a mosque and buildings which collapsed during Israeli bombardment around the town city of Rafah southern Gaza Strip on January 24, 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel’s war cabinet considers Gaza cease-fire, hostage deal as ICJ ruling looms

Reports on Friday revealed that CIA Chief William Burns will meet in a European capital this weekend with Qatari, Israeli and Egyptian officials to try to unblock a deal for a cease-fire and the release of all the hostages held in Gaza.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi (R) and Niger's Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine meet in Tehran on January 25, 2024. (Photo by president.ir)

How significant is Niger's PM visit to Iran post-coup and amid Africa push?

Iran wants better economic and political relations with sub-Saharan African states, including the sanctioned military junta in Niger.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey welcomes Biden’s F-16 letter to Congress, expects 'positive' conclusion

Following its ratification of Sweden’s membership in NATO, Ankara has turned to the Biden administration for progress on the F-16 sale.

A soldier loads up onto an American plane near Mosul, Iraq.

US, Iraq to begin talks over potential end to coalition presence

There have been no decisions to withdraw US troops from either Iraq or Syria, US officials say, but the Biden administration is open to weighing future options.

While hosting Iran’s Raisi, Turkey’s Erdogan avoids harsh criticism of Israel

Erdogan's measured tone on Israel comes in midst of US-Turkey rapprochement following Ankara's ratification of Sweden's entry into NATO this week.

Khan Younis

As Gaza bombardment continues, are Hamas, Israel close to cease-fire deal?

The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate as the United States, Egypt and Qatar work to bridge the differences between Israel and Hamas and reach a deal on a cease-fire and the release of hostages.

A member of Iraq's Special Operations Forces stands guard during the funeral of Hassan Hammadi al-Amiri, a fallen member of the group Kataib Hezbollah.

Iraq slams latest US airstrikes on Kataib Hezbollah sites

Latest strikes put new pressure on Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani over the US troop presence in Iraq.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian listens to a question during a press conference with his Saudi counterpart (not pictured) in Tehran, on June 17, 2023.

Interview

Iran sent US back-channel messages on risk of wider regional war, FM says

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Tehran is not seeking a wider regional conflict, even as his country's network of militias across the Middle East are stepping up attacks on US bases and ships.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian

Foreign Minister of Iran