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

politics and security cover image

Politics & Security

Ozgu Ozel

Turkish opposition leader Ozgur Ozel could launch new party by August

Ozgur Ozel’s remarks on a potential new party came as the legal crackdown on the main opposition widened further this week with the arrest and suspension of the mayor of Cankaya,one of the party’s most secure and symbolically important strongholds in the heart of Ankara.

Visitors stand inside Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul on April 14, 2025.

Russian couple faces deportation from Turkey after Bible reading at Hagia Sophia

The couple were detained after reading from the Bible inside the Istanbul landmark, which remains one of Christianity’s most important historic sites despite its conversion into a mosque.

BEIRUT, LEBANON - OCTOBER 13: Lebanese people wave flags and hold portraits of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (not pictured) as he arrives in southern suberb of Beirut on October 13, 2010 in Lebanon. The controversial visit is seen as a boost for key ally Hezbollah. According to reports Mr Ahmadinejad may visit the border with Israel - the site of recent deadly clashes between Israeli and Lebanese forces. (Photo by Salah Malkawi/Getty Images)

Ahmadinejad denies alleged Mossad plot to install him as Iran leader: What to know

The former president, who was a virulent critic of Israel while in office, was reportedly part of a Mossad plan to replace the current Iranian leadership.

Latest News

Israel's Netanyahu plans US visit for Trump meeting, Graham memorial

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a cornerstone laying ceremony for the Atarot Heritage Center at an abandon airport in East Jerusalem near the separation wall with the Israeli occupied West Bank city of Ramallah on July 5, 2026.

Lebanon army enters Palestinian camp ahead of Aoun’s US visit

FATHI AL-MASRI/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

How UK's IRGC designation raises stakes for Iran and Europe

A general view of the Iranian Embassy on July 13, 2026, in London, England.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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

US copter

Day 33 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Wednesday, Nov. 8

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran on Nov. 6, 2023.

Iran's Khamenei urges Iraq PM to pressure US over Gaza

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's Tehran visit came only one day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Baghdad, amid an uptick in Iran-backed militia attacks on US bases in the region in response to Israel's war on Hamas.

MOHAMMAD ZANOUN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

One month into Israel-Hamas war, more than 10,000 killed in Gaza, almost 1.5 million displaced

The war in Gaza has killed more than 10,000 people and injured more than 25,000 since Oct. 7 as prospects of cease-fire appear remote.

A woman walks along a building whose facade is covered with Stars of David painted during the night, in the Alesia district of Paris, France, Oct. 31, 2023.

France investigates suspected Russian role in Star of David graffiti in Paris

French police are investigating whether Stars of David spray-painted on Parisian buildings in late October were directed by Russian actors.

SOUTHERN ISRAEL - NOVEMBER 01: Tanks move across a field on November 01, 2023 in Southern Israel. As Israel's response to Hamas's Oct 7 attacks entered its fourth week, the Israeli PM said the current war would be a long one and would amount to a "second war of independence." In the wake Hamas's attacks that left 1,400 dead and 230 kidnapped, Israel launched a sustained bombardment of the Gaza Strip and began a ground invasion to vanquish the militant group that governs the Palestinian territory. (Photo by

Analysis

Israel advances rapidly in Gaza, but eliminating Hamas leaders to take time

While the Israeli army advances rather rapidly toward Hamas headquarters in the heart of Gaza City, eliminating the group's leadership would require more time than what Israel can afford.

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

Yahya Sinwar.

Day 32 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Tuesday, Nov. 7

A picture taken on Jan. 13, 2020, during a press tour organized by the US-led coalition fighting the remnants of the Islamic State group, shows a view inside Ain al-Asad military air base

New attacks hit US bases in Iraq, Syria as Iran ups threats over Gaza

White House and Pentagon officials have said they will hold Iran accountable for attacks on US bases by Iranian proxies.

AT SEA - JANUARY 22: The USS Florida sails during "Giant Shadow," a Naval Sea Systems Command/Naval Submarine Forces exercise to test the capabilities of the Navy's future guided missile submarines January 22, 2003 off the coast of the Bahamas. The Florida is one of four Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines to be converted to guided missile submarines. (Photo by David Nagle/U.S. Navy/Getty Images)

US sends in submarine as Iran-backed attacks continue in Syria, Iraq

The Ohio-class submarine is the latest in the Pentagon's strike arsenal to arrive in the region amid a massive buildup of capabilities as Washington warns Iran and its proxies not to launch opportunistic attacks on Israel.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Blinken ends Middle East tour in Turkey, no Gaza 'humanitarian pause' in sight

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken completed his Middle East tour in Turkey as anti-US protests ramped up in the country.

Haniyeh meets Khamenei

Hamas leader meets Iran’s Khamenei in Tehran

Iran is the main financial backer of Hamas. Its proxies across the region have increased attacks on US and Israeli targets in recent weeks.

Pro-Palestinian supporters pray while gathering during an anti US and anti Israel demonstration in front of the US Consulate in Johannesburg, on November 04, 2023.

South Africa recalls diplomats in Israel, cites 'genocide' in Gaza

The South African government on Monday recalled its diplomats from Israel and took aim at Israel's ambassador in Pretoria, calling his position in the country "untenable."

Israeli war cabinet

Israeli minister who called to nuke Gaza votes in cabinet meeting, despite suspension

Asked on the radio if Israel should throw a nuclear bomb at Gaza, Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu responded, "that’s one option."