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

politics and security cover image

Politics & Security

A photograph shows a damaged building in the aftermath of a drone strike in the Seef district of Manama on March 10, 2026.

Bahrain sentences 3 to life in prison over ties to Iran's IRGC: What to know

The sentencing comes as Bahrain continues to crack down on individuals allegedly spying for Iran, at a time when the IRGC has resumed its strikes against US assets in the Gulf.

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.

Latest News

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

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.

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

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

Members of Iranian paramilitary's Basij forces march next to the fourth generation Khorramshahr ballistic missile Khaibar displayed during an anti-Israeli rally to show their solidarity with Palestinians, in Tehran on November 24, 2023. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Are Tehran’s internal politics at play in Iran-Pakistan flare-up?

Although internal political considerations may have led Tehran to conduct airstrikes in Pakistan, ties between the two are likely to suffer lasting damage.

NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP via Getty Images

Hamas delegation in Russia, talks Gaza cease-fire, Israeli hostages

The trip was the second by senior Hamas officials to Russia since the Oct. 7 attack and Gaza war began with Israel, and comes amid continued fighting and captivity of hostages, including Russian citizens.

RODRIGO OROPEZA/AFP via Getty Images

Mexico, Chile call on ICC to investigate Israel over Gaza war

As the International Court of Justice investigates South Africa's complaint, Mexico and Chile are also calling on the International Criminal Court to investigate crimes against Palestinians.

Rafael Grossi

Davos 2024: IAEA chief says monitoring of Iran nuclear sites 'not at a good place'

Asked by Al-Monitor if Iran was close to enriching weapons-grade uranium, Grossi responded, “They are already there.”

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

IRGC holds drills as Iran dispatches naval mission to international seas

The move coincides with large-scale drills held by Iran’s military and IRGC days after Pakistan struck areas in Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyhu attends the funeral for First Sergeant Major Gal Meir Eisenkot in Herzliya, Dec. 8, 2023.

Analysis

'Hallucination' or realpolitik? Netanyahu's long shot at Israel-Saudi normalization

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu still hopes to normalize ties with Saudi Arabia after rejecting US proposals for Palestinian control of Gaza and the West Bank.

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

Photo of the European Parliament

EU Parliament calls for conditional Gaza cease-fire if hostages released, Hamas dismantled

For the first time since Oct. 7, the European Parliament called on Israel to stop fighting in Gaza, but also said that a cease-fire should be accompanied by the release of all abductees and the dismantling of Hamas.

A Baloch militant (L) hands over his gun and surrenders to Baluchistan province Chief Minister Sardar Sanaullah Khan Zehri (R) in Quetta on April 21, 2017. Around 500 Baloch rebel militants on April 21 surrendered to Pakistan's government as Islamabad pursues its development agenda linked to the ambitious China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the southwest province. / AFP PHOTO / BANARAS KHAN (Photo credit should read BANARAS KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Across Baluchistan, who are the groups targeted by Iran, Pakistan?

The cross-border strikes have raised questions about the separatist groups operating in the border area between Iran and Pakistan.

Turkey’s first astronaut heads to space

Turks tune in to live national TV to watch Turkey’s first astronaut travel to space.

Ezgi Akin

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

Pakistani soldiers wearing facemasks patrol near the closed Pakistan-Iran border in Taftan, as fears over the spread of the coronavirus escalate following an outbreak in neighboring Iran, Feb. 25, 2020.

What is behind Iran-Pakistan border escalation, the worst in decades?

Iran’s Sistan and Baluchistan province, located on the border with Pakistan, has long been plagued by poverty, protests and militant activity.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog speaks next to a photograph showing 10-month-old baby Kfir Bibas held by Hamas during a session of the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos on January 18, 2024. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

Davos 2024: Israel’s Herzog says 'coalition of nations' should take charge in post-war Gaza

The Israeli president admitted that a plan hadn’t been finalized, but insisted that plenty of talks were going on.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) greets US President Joe Biden upon his arrival at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport on Oct. 18, 2023, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas.

Israel's Netanyahu tells US he opposes Palestinian state after Gaza war

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that he will not succumb to American pressure to end the war, and that he intends to continue until all of Israel's goals are fulfilled.