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

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Politics & Security

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Kuwait unveils Iran IRGC infiltration plot, arrests 4: What to know

According to Kuwaiti authorities, four suspects arrested earlier this month after attempting to enter the country illegally via the sea confessed to belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and planning attacks against Kuwait.

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.

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.

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

French Deputy Armed Forces Minister Alice Rufo

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

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.

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.

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

Rabih and Farah

Israeli strike kills two TV journalists in south Lebanon

The killing of Al-Mayadeen reporters sparked outrage in Lebanon and condemnation over a bombing campaign that's killed at least 50 journalists since Oct. 7.

Smoke billows after an Israeli strike in north Gaza on November 22, 2023

Day 46 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Tuesday, Nov. 21

A screenshot from a video released by Yemen's Houthi rebels showing the seizure of the ship.

How Houthis' hijacking of Israel-linked ship tests limits of US deterrence

The US is consulting with allies after Iran-backed Yemeni fighters fast-roped onto the deck and hijacked an Israeli-linked cargo ship amid Israel's war against Palestinian militants in Gaza.

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a meeting with the leaders of France's Freemason organisations during the 250th anniversary of the Grand Orient of France in Paris, on November 8, 2023. (Photo by Thibault Camus / POOL / AFP) (Photo by THIBAULT CAMUS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

After angering Israel, Macron recalibrates strategy in Gaza war

French President Emmanuel Macron received former Israeli President Reuven Rivlin in Paris today as Elysee grows more concerned about the Lebanon front.

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 06: Flowers and candles are placed among pictures of journalists at a vigil in lower Manhattan on November 6, 2023 in New York City. The vigil is held to remember and celebrate the lives of journalists killed in recent fighting in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon. Since Hamas launched its attack against Israel on October 7 and Israel began a prolonged attack on the militant Palestinian group, at least 37 journalists and media workers are counted among an estimated 11,000 killed. (Photo by Sp

At least 48 journalists killed in Gaza war, 43 Palestinians, deadliest since 1992

Dozens of journalists and media workers have been killed in the region since the Hamas-Israel war erupted more than a month ago.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein talks to the press during a EU-Iraq Cooperation Council, at the European Council Building in Brussels on March 19, 2023.

Iraqi FM says unless US stops Israel, conflict in Gaza will 'burn all of us'

Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein worries that the conflict in Gaza will drag on and expand beyond Israel’s borders.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey seeks to evacuate nearly 1,000 people from Gaza

As Ankara continues to evacuate its nationals from the Gaza Strip, the Turkish health minister said Turkey is seeking to establish a field hospital there.

A truck carries an Iranian Fattah hypersonic ballistic missile during the annual military parade marking the anniversary of the outbreak of the devastating 1980-1988 war with Saddam Hussein's Iraq, in Tehran, Iran, Sept. 22, 2023.

How significant is Iran's unveiling of latest hypersonic cruising missile?

Iran continues to voice support for Hamas in its war against Israel while boosting its own military capabilities.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) shakes hands with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud before a family photo for the attendees of a meeting of foreign ministers from Arab and Muslim-majority nations at the Diaoyutai State Guest House, Beijing, China, Nov. 20, 2023.

China hosts Arab FMs, pushes ‘justice and fairness’ in Israeli-Palestinian conflict

The Arab-Muslim delegation stopped in China on the first leg of a tour aimed at shoring up support for an immediate end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip.

Webinar with Amb. David Satterfield

Israel-Hamas War: Live Q&A webinar with Amb. David Satterfield

RSVP now to join the discussion on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 12:15 pm ET.

A woman minds a child as they play near the fountain.

Day 45 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Monday, Nov. 20

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - NOVEMBER 18: Thousands of people and the families of kidnapped Israelis hold up their mobile phones with the torch light to sing the national anthem during a rally demanding that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secures the release of the hostages, outside The Museum of Modern Art known as the 'The Hostages and Missing Square' on November 18, 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Families and supporters of the hostages taken by Hamas in its Oct 7 attack commenced a multi-day march from Tel A

Day 44 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Sunday, Nov. 19