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

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Politics & Security

Women shop from a street vendor at Enghelab Square in the capital Tehran on Nov. 11, 2025.

Analysis

From hoarding to unemployment: Iran's economy buckles under US pressure

Iran's fast-rising inflation is driving aggressive state market controls, exposing deeper structural strains from war, sanctions and declining consumer confidence.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Explosions rattled buildings in Dubai and a large cloud of smoke hung over a central area of the Middle East financial hub on March 13, 2026.

Analysis

How the Iran war is exposing a growing Saudi-UAE divide

Reports on Emirati and Saudi strikes suggest Gulf monarchies moved beyond passive defense — but followed sharply different strategies.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

An undated image released by the Justice Department shows Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi (R) speaking with Iranian Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US strike in 2020.

Iraqi militia leader in US custody after arrest: What to know

Authorities said the individual is linked to a mysterious pro-Iran group that has been claiming attacks on Jewish communities in Europe.

Latest News

Lebanon-Israel ceasefire extended 45 days as US opens security talks

talks

Analysis

‘A reckless act’: Netanyahu sparks UAE fury by claiming secret visit

US President Donald Trump talks to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as he departs the Al Bateen Executive Airport on May 15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

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

Trump’s Gaza plan stalls as Hamas resists disarmament

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.

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

Nayera Ashraf

Egyptian man executed one year after brutal killing of Nayera Ashraf

The killing sent shockwaves across the country, prompting calls to carry out the death sentence.

Israel drone

Arab states make up 24% of Israel’s 2022 arms exports including drones

Out of the record-high $12.5 billion in Israeli defense exports in 2022, almost $3 billion were export deals with Arab countries.

Xi Jinping and Mahmoud Abbas

China’s Xi hosts Abbas, vows support for Palestinian state on 1967 borders

Xi used the word 'Palestine' as he welcomed Mahmoud Abbas on a visit that follows Beijing's offer to mediate peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

A US F-18 Super Hornet lands on the flight deck of the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) during a South Korea and US combined maritime exercise as a part of Warrior Shield at sea on March 27, 2023 off the coast of South Korea.

US to sell $1.8 billion worth of F/A-18 jets support to Kuwait

The proposed sale would fulfill Kuwait’s request for an ‘extended warranty’ on its F/A-18 fleet.

Israeli soldiers console one another outside the Mount Harif military base.

Israeli army admits to operational failures in deadly Egypt incident

The investigation of the Israeli army into the deadly incident last week on the Egyptian border found several operational failures.

A US Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter takes off at sunset while transporting American troops out of a remote combat outpost known as RLZ near the Turkish border in northeastern Syria, May 25, 2021.

22 US soldiers injured in Syria helicopter accident

The MH-17 helicopter took a "hard landing" shortly after take off, but hostile fire was not involved, Pentagon officials said.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (L) receives a commemorative decoration from Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, after a joint press statement at Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas, on June 12, 2023.

Iran's Raisi hails 'new world order' in meeting with Maduro in Venezuela

Iran and Venezuela talked business as their economies continue to be battered by sanctions from abroad and skyrocketing inflation at home.

Israel-Iran cyber warfare has intensified in the last few years. Photo by NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel-Iran cyber warfare heats up, exploiting Israeli internal divide

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has used a false news campaign generated by a foreign state — probably Iran — to lambast anti-government protesters.

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

KHALIL MAZRAAWI/afp/AFP via Getty Images

Jordan shoots down drone carrying drugs from Syria

The operation is the latest effort by Jordanian authorities to curb drug smuggling from neighboring Syria.

Russia Day in Jerusalem

Senior Israeli officials attended Russian ambassador's anti-West speech

At a Russia Day reception in Jerusalem, Russia's Ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov delivered a speech defending his country's stance against Ukraine.

A screen capture of a video showing the boat fire off the coast of Marsa Alam, Egypt, June 11, 2023.

3 British tourists killed in boat fire off Egypt’s Red Sea coast

The fire comes days after a Russian tourist was killed during a shark attack in the Red Sea, a popular destination for European tourists.

Turkey pride

'LGBTQ toilet' sparks fury in Turkey amid Pride week crackdown

Pride parades have been formally banned in major cities since 2014, and police violence to disperse and prevent Pride marches is sanctioned by the Interior Ministry.