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

politics and security cover image

Politics & Security

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands as they arrive for talks at the Gimhae Air Base in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30, 2025.

Analysis

Ahead of Trump-Xi summit, Iran looks to China as guarantor — but with reservations

Tehran is closely watching the Trump-Xi meeting to determine whether China will continue acting primarily as a protector or if it will gradually emerge as the power capable of pressuring Iran into a narrower strategic corner.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Khaled Hablas

Lebanon authorities release Salafist cleric Khaled Hablas: What to know

Hablas was imprisoned for his role in the deadly 2014 clashes with the military and Hezbollah and his release follows Syria lobbying for the return of militants detained in Lebanon.

The helicopter of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lands on Abdulhamid Han drill ship, the fourth built by Turkey, in Mersin on Aug. 9, 2022, before being sent for gas exploration to an undisputed area in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Gazipasa.

New Turkey maritime draft bill fuels EastMed tensions with Greece, Cyprus

Turkey’s draft maritime bill seeks to formalize Ankara’s claims in the Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean and Black seas, raising tensions with Greece and Cyprus over contested maritime boundaries and offshore energy rights.

Artillery units are positioned near the Lebanese border in northern Israel, May 4, 2026.

Analysis

Israel’s drone dilemma: Hezbollah’s low-cost threat reshapes Lebanon front

While Israeli and Lebanese delegations are set to meet in Washington for the third time, the Israeli military faces a growing threat from Hezbollah’s cheap yet highly lethal drones.

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

Latest News

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

TTA KENARE/AFP/GettyImages

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

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

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

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.

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

Shiite Muslim clerics chant slogans during an anti-Israel rally in solidarity with the Palestinian people organised by supporters of the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah in Lebanon's southern city of Nabatieh on October 13, 2023. Thousands of people, both Israeli and Palestinians have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants entered Israel in a surprise attack leading Israel to declare war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip on October 8. (Photo by MAHMOUD ZAYYAT / AFP) (Photo by MAHMOUD ZAYYA

Hezbollah calls for 'day of anger' as Biden heads to Israel, Gaza war rages

Cross-border fire has been ongoing between Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement and Israel in southern Lebanon since Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel last weekend.

MICHAEL KAPPELER/AFP via Getty Images

Europe’s leaders express solidarity in Israel as EU searches for consensus

On a solidarity visit, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said it is his country's duty to protect the state and the people of Israel.

1584538361

Turkey extends mandate for military operations in Syria, Iraq

The Turkish parliament’s extension of the mandate for another two years comes amid rising tensions between Turkey and the United States.

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during the official dinner at the Palace of Brigades, as part of the Western Balkans summit on European Union integration, Tirana, Albania, Oct. 16, 2023.

France’s Macron denounces first Hamas video of French-Israeli Gaza hostage

Hamas published a first video showing one of the hostages currently held in Gaza — French-Israeli Mia Shem.

Two MV-22B Ospreys of the USMC take part in training during the joint Israeli-US military "Juniper Cobra" exercise at the Tze'elim urban warfare training centre (UWTC) base in southern Israel on March 12, 2018.

Iran’s Khamenei threatens US as Pentagon readies 2,000 troops for region

The Pentagon has ordered some 2,000 US military personnel readied to respond to the fallout of Israel’s war in Gaza and extended the deployment of the USS Ford carrier strike group.

Israeli soldiers deploy near the border with Gaza on October 17, 2023. US President Joe Biden will visit Israel on October 18 in a show of "ironclad" support as Washington tries to prevent the escalating war against Hamas in Gaza from spilling into a wider Middle East conflict. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Distrusting Netanyahu, US takes oversight role in Israel's Hamas war

The two visits to Israel by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, another by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and the expected arrival on Wednesday of President Joe Biden reflect American concerns over the outbreak of a regional war.

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

children in hospital

Day 11 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Tuesday, Oct. 17

Eleven days into the fighting between Israel and Hamas, nearly 1 million are now displaced in Gaza as rocket barrages continue in the direction of Israel and the Israeli bombardment intensifies on the enclave.

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at Tioga Marine Terminal on October 13, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Biden discussed how his Bidenomics agenda is creating good-paying union jobs, investing in infrastructure, accelerating the transition to a clean energy future, and combatting the climate crisis.(Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)

Biden to visit Israel as US pushes humanitarian corridor for Gaza

Washington appears to have bought more time for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, but US officials say they are not placing conditions on weapons delivered to Israel nor dictating to the IDF on its operational plans.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken walks into a building with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu speaks with UAE president in first call with Arab leader since Hamas attack

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the first Arab leader with whom Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.

A Palestinian van carrying a family and their belongings arrives at the Rafah refugee camp, in the southern Gaza Strip on Oct. 15, 2023.

European Union launches humanitarian air bridge for Gazans via Egypt

The European Union will start sending humanitarian aid for displaced Gaza residents, including shelters, medicines and hygiene kits.

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (R) and Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan shake hands after a joint press conference in Cairo on October 14, 2023. (Photo by Ahmed HASAN / AFP) (Photo by AHMED HASAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey’s Fidan calls Hamas leader, Israeli hostages in Gaza discussed

The phone call comes after the Turkish president said last week that his government was working intensively with all parties for the release of the hostages.

DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images

Funeral held for Palestinian-American boy killed in Illinois hate crime

Hatred and violence toward Muslims and Jews is rising in the West as the Israel-Hamas war reverberates around the world.