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

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Politics & Security

President Donald Trump speaks in front of the American flag to the press as he departs the White House on May 12, 2026, in Washington, DC.

Trump’s Gaza plan stalls as Hamas resists disarmament

The militant group appears to be stalling as the mediators push it to accept a US-backed disarmament proposal.

An ADNOC Gas subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company facility in Abu Dhabi, March 3, 2026.

UAE to fast-track construction of second oil pipeline, bypassing Hormuz: What to know

ADNOC, the UAE's state-owned oil company, has been ordered to prioritize completion of the pipeline to double oil exports through the Gulf Oman.

United Arab Emirates

Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi attends a meeting of the Coordination Framework political bloc in Baghdad on April 27, 2026.

Iraq parliament approves government of Prime Minister Zaidi

Ali al-Zaidi, a prominent businessman with limited political experience, has backing from both the US and Iran.

Latest News

Interview

Syrian Kurdish commander Kobane says Turkey visit ‘in the making,’ Ocalan meeting possible

Mazloum Kobane, commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), speaks during the pan-Kurdish "Unity and Consensus" conference in Qamishli in northeastern Syria on April 26, 2025.

Mazloum Kobane

Mazloum Kobane

SDF commander in chief

Iran's IRGC holds anti-helicopter drills in Tehran: What to know

ATTA KENARE / 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

Former Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves le Drian arrives at a state dinner upon the visit of United Arab Emirates President at the Grand Trianon estate near the Palace of Versailles, south west of Paris, on July 18, 2022. - French President welcomes the United Arab Emirates President on July 18, 2022, whose state visit "will confirm the strong ties" between France and the rich Gulf oil country, the Elysee Palace announced on July 14, 2022. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP) (Photo by LUDO

France's Le Drian visits Lebanon in bid to break presidential deadlock

French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian’s visit to Beirut comes as parliament failed for the 12th time to elect a president.

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Morocco cancels Negev summit with Israel over settlement expansion

The Israeli government's decision to place settlement construction authorization in the hands of Finance Minister and Deputy Defense Minister Bezalel Smotrich left Morocco with little choice but to cancel the Negev Forum meeting.

Rukban aid

In a first, US military delivers NGO aid to Syria’s Rukban camp

A US-based nonprofit obtained permission to have the US military deliver humanitarian aid from Iraq to a displaced persons camp in Syria.

Astana talks

Few signs of progress at Turkey-Syria normalization talks in Astana

Syrian president sees no need to compromise, while UN representative admits 'comprehensive solution is not doable.'

Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi (R) meets with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Muscat, on April, 25, 2023. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran’s FM visits Qatar, Oman as indirect talks with US see momentum

Qatar and Oman have maintained communications with Iran and Saudi Arabia, also playing a mediating role between Washington and Tehran.

Iraqi Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani (L) meets with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) in Ankara, June 20, 2023.

Erdogan, Barzani meet in Ankara as Iraqi oil exports via Turkey remain frozen

Prime Minister Masrour Barzani of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara as the deadlock continues over the exportation of Iraqi and KRG crude.

Almog Cohen (R) of the far-right Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) and right wing activists demonstrate in support of the Israeli army operation in the West Bank city of Jenin, at the Tel Aviv University campus on Jan. 30, 2023.

Knesset member threatens to 'blow up' Palestinian, Israeli orphans' summer camp

A debate at the Knesset Education Committee meeting grew heated over a summer camp for Israeli and Palestinian orphans, threatening the funding of a venerable Israeli children's institution.

An Israeli soldier gestures at the scene of an attack near the Jewish settlement of Eli.

Four Israelis killed in West Bank shooting attack

Only one day after the deadly clashes in Jenin between IDF forces and Palestinians, four Israelis were killed and four wounded in a shooting attack near the Eli West Bank settlement.

A Palestinian youth flashes the victory sign as tyre smoke billows during a protest by the border fence with Israel east of Gaza city on June 19, 2023 following an Israeli raid in the West Bank. Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank killed five Palestinians including a militant on June 19, in a raid that saw eight Israeli security personnel wounded and rare helicopter fire. (Photo by Mohammed ABED / AFP) (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel increasingly fears West Bank chaos, rise of Hamas

According to Israel’s strategic assessment, the era after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has already started, although the Palestinian leader is still alive and still at the head of the government.

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

Turkey's newly appointed Foreign Affairs Minister Hakan Fidan delivers a speech during a handover ceremony in Ankara on June 5, 2023.

US top diplomat Blinken to meet Turkey's FM Fidan in London

The top agenda item would be Turkey’s continued objections to Sweden’s bid to join NATO, diplomatic sources told Al-Monitor.

Jenin, West Bank

Five Palestinians killed in Israel's West Bank raid as Hamas leader visits Iran

The latest violence left five Palestinians dead and wounded at least 91 more, while the Israeli army said seven of its troops were injured in the fighting.

A picture shows the beach in the town of Beit Lahia with a view of the towers of an Israeli power plant in the city of Askelon, northern Gaza Strip, Dec. 15, 2021.

Israel to work with Egypt, Palestine to develop Gaza gas field

After years of objection, Israel finally agrees to the development of the Marine undersea natural gas field, off the Gaza coast.