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Politics & Security

US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, speaks during a press conference

Explainer

Who will lead Congress? Democrats weigh Schumer alternatives, Jeffries bid

A number of contenders have emerged as challengers to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, including strong critics of the Iran war and US support to Israel.

Tump

Can Trump turn midterm defeat into Iran breakthrough?

Although Iran may have contributed to Republican losses in midterms, the Trump administration still has a historic opportunity in the Middle East.

Manon Roca / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon files charges against 2 Hezbollah members as UNIFIL prepares to withdraw

The move comes amid growing security concerns in the south less than two months before the UNIFIL mandate expires.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses Turkish members of parliament during the opening of the parliamentary session at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in Ankara, on Oct. 1, 2026.

Turkey’s parliament ratifies Mecca pact in boost to Saudi Arabia

Turkey will now decide the scope of military support for Saudi Arabia amid ongoing Iran-backed Houthi attacks on the kingdom.

Latest News

Explainer

Arab parties' backing gives Eisenkot edge over Netanyahu for PM: What to know

Tomer Neuberg / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Massie renews Hegseth impeachment push as GOP blames Iran war for midterm losses

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testifies during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, on July 21, 2026, in Washington.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Can Erdogan’s Baku visit fix Turkey-Azerbaijan rift?

TOFIK BABAYEV/AFP via Getty Images

Russia to provide Iran with 90 missile launchers as military ties grow: Reports

Russian Mil Mi-8 military helicopters fly over a joint Russian and Turkish convoy, northeastern Hasakeh province, Syria, Feb. 4, 2021.

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

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - NOVEMBER 18: Thousands of people and the families of kidnapped Israelis hold up their mobile phones with the torch light to sing the national anthem during a rally demanding that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secures the release of the hostages, outside The Museum of Modern Art known as the 'The Hostages and Missing Square' on November 18, 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Families and supporters of the hostages taken by Hamas in its Oct 7 attack commenced a multi-day march from Tel A

Day 44 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Sunday, Nov. 19

Israel's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid (2nd L) and U. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (2nd R) chat with Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani (R) and United Arab Emirates' Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (L), in Sde Boker, Israel on March 28, 2022. - Blinken and the top diplomats of Israel and four Arab states held a landmark meeting to discuss issues from the Iran nuclear negotiations to the global shockwaves of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Jacquelyn Mar

Gaza war tests Arab Gulf influence as GCC tries to avert regional escalation

Although the UAE and Bahrain have formal diplomatic relations with Israel, and Saudi Arabia was considering such a move, Arab states in the region have their own reasons to be cautious.

Iran Qaani

How far will Iran go to support Hamas in war with Israel?

Forty days into the Israel-Hamas war, the commander of Iran's Quds Force promised the militant group that Iran "will do anything required." Yet questions linger over Iran's willingness to risk direct involvement.

TOPSHOT - A Palestinian girl and her brother sit amidst the debris of a house following an Israeli strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on November 18, 2023, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED / AFP) (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images)

Day 43 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Saturday, Nov. 18

Lipstadt

US envoy reports 'tidal wave of antisemitism' worldwide amid Gaza war

Biden administration antisemitism envoy Deborah Lipstadt said there is a difference between protesting in support of Palestine and attacking Jews, and praised European governments for their efforts to fight bigotry.

Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek (C) addresses a statement to the journalists at the party's group meeting at the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) on June 21, 2023. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)

What awaits Turkey's economy as its foreign exchange woes ease?

After the March local polls, Ankara will be free of major domestic political concerns and is expected to enact a stern program to cool the economy and make real progress in fighting inflation.

Erdogan Scholz

Tensions erupt at Turkey's Erdogan presser in Germany over Gaza war

The joint press conference between the leaders of the two nations further exposed their differences over the Israel-Hamas war.

Layal al-Ekhtiar appears on Al-Arabiya, Nov. 17, 2023.

Why did Lebanon issue warrant for journalist over interview with Israeli official?

Journalists reporting on the prospects of Lebanon being dragged into a war have faced growing pressure and harassment.

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

US senate votes unanimously to suspend Azerbaijan's military assistance

The Biden administration has balked at authorizing additional military assistance to Baku in the wake of the September Nagorno-Karabakh war, and lawmakers are pushing for a two-year moratorium.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

Palestinians amid the destruction following an Israeli strike in the Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza Strip, Nov. 1, 2023.

Analysis

Inside Israel’s three ‘day after’ options for Gaza amid government split

Israel had three main options for administering Gaza after its war against Hamas, all with notable obstacles.

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

Israeli armored vehicles are pictured during a raid by the Israeli army in the Jenin refugee camp, the occupied West Bank, Nov. 16, 2023.

Israel's raid in West Bank leaves several dead following US warning of escalation

Israel is increasing military raids in the West Bank concurrent with the war in Gaza.

Trucks carrying fuel enter the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, Oct. 22, 2023.

Israel approves daily fuel transfer to Gaza for water, sewage treatment after US request

Israeli national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi cites fear of disease affecting Gaza residents, Israeli soldiers, the military campaign and hostages for the move.