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

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Politics & Security

US Vice President JD Vance speaks at the Wisconsin Air National Guard facility at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport on July 8, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Vance says Israeli intelligence had ties to Epstein: What to know

Vice President JD Vance has grown more critical of Israel, possibly in an effort to capitalize on changing views among voters with an eye on the 2028 presidential election.

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 22: U.S. President Donald Trump (C) sits in between Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan (L) and Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev during a signing ceremony for the “Board of Peace” at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on January 22, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The US-backed “Board of Peace” is intended to administer the fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip after the war between Israel and Hamas. The final makeup of the board has not been confirmed. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/G

Trump taps Russia-born investor to oversee $200M+ fund backing Armenia-Azerbaijan corridor

The appointment of Chicago-based investor Konstantin Sokolov to oversee a $200 million fund marks a new phase for Washington's proposed trade and transportation route linking Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey.

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.

Israeli PM Netanyahu 'will not travel' to US next week, his office says

On Wednesday, an Israeli official had told Al-Monitor that Netanyahu was planning to travel on Saturday and meet with President Donald Trump next week and attend the memorial service for Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

Zaid AL-OBEIDI / AFP via Getty Images

Syria seizes arms shipment on Iraq border destined for Hezbollah

The operation comes as part of the Syrian authorities' efforts to curb illicit arms smuggling through its territory, namely intended for Hezbollah.

Latest News

Turkish opposition leader Ozgur Ozel could launch new party by August

Ozgu Ozel

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

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

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

Israel has pounded northern Gaza since Hamas's deadly incursion a week ago

Day 8 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Saturday, Oct. 14

Eight 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.

This picture shows a view of the reservoir of the Mujib Dam, the main water supply to Amman, in the Madaba governorate, about 100kms north of the Jordanian capital, on April 20, 2021.

Israel-Hamas war set to impact Jordan’s water and energy security amid renewables push

The Israel-Hamas war is presenting significant implications for neighboring Jordan’s water security and energy independence, adding new significance to its growing renewable energy push.

Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

A demonstrator holds a placard during a rally in Milan on the sixth day of the war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement, October 12, 2023.

Turkey says 'intensive contacts' underway to free Israel's hostages with Hamas

The Turkish president said his government, which has channels to both Hamas and Israel, is seeking the release of hostages held in Gaza, but hinted at Western obstacles.

Issam Abdallah, CPJ

Reuters journalist killed, 6 wounded in Israeli shelling on Lebanon border

A Reuters video journalist has been killed and three others were wounded in the Israeli airstrike in the village of Alma al Shaab in southern Lebanon.

Demonstrators wave Palestinian and Jordanian flags during a demonstration in Amman in support of Palestinians amid Israeli airstrikes on Gaza in response to the surprise attack by Hamas against it, October 13, 2023.

Jordan faces mass rallies, marches toward Israel, West Bank border

Jordanian security forces prevented demonstrators from approaching the border with Israel to show their support for the Palestinians of Gaza.

An Israeli Merkava battle tank moves in a convoy along the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel, October 13, 2023.

Analysis

Israel's cruel dilemma as it embarks on ground operation in Gaza

With two former generals, leaders of the opposition, now inside the cabinet, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may soon launch a ground offensive.

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

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (L) and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant speak to the press at Israel Aerospace Industries headquarters, in Tel Aviv, March 9, 2023.

'We have your back,' US defense chief pledges on visit to Israel

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reassured Israeli leaders of continued US support in the war against Hamas.

People inspect the damage to their home after Israeli strikes in the Rafah camp in southern Gaza

Day 7 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Friday, Oct. 13

As the clock ticks down for residents to evacuate north Gaza before a ground invasion, protests are rocking the Arab world and border clashes broken out between the Israeli military and the Lebanese Armed Forces.

Smoke billows during an Israeli air strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on October 11, 2023

Egypt, wary of influx of Gaza refugees into Sinai, rallies behind Palestinians

Egyptian officials are racing against time to stop the escalating war between Israel and Hamas, while Cairo is concerned that the escalation may extend to its borders with Gaza.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Analysis

Snubbed by Russia, Israel and Ukraine draw closer after Hamas attack

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered little solidarity to Israel over the Hamas attack.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, Oct. 12, 2023.

Blinken in Israel reassures that US support remains 'ironclad'

US secretary of state commits to US remaining by Israel on his first visit there since it was attacked by Hamas.

Israeli artillery units fire towards the Gaza have pounded the heavily populated enclave since Saturday

Israel-Hamas War: Live Q&A with Ben Caspit & Daoud Kuttab

Catch up on Thursday's webinar discussing the Israel-Hamas war, featuring our Israel and Palestine columnists.