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Politics & Security

Fighters supporting the Aden-based, internationally recognized Yemeni government gather during a vigil along the Red Sea shore in Khokha, in Yemen's western Hodeidah province, on July 20, 2026.

Analysis

How Saudi Arabia seeks to contain Yemen's Houthis without provoking Iran

Riyadh is balancing pressure on the Houthis with efforts to keep Iran from widening the conflict, as attacks threaten Saudi energy exports through the Red Sea.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

El Alamein International Airshow

Turkey’s defense giants court Egypt at Alamein Airshow: What to know

Three leading Turkish defense companies are participating in the El Alamein Airshow as Ankara seeks new sales and closer military-industrial cooperation with Egypt.

Chaim Goldberg / AFP via Getty Images

Netanyahu threatens to sue Haaretz for reporting UAE warned Israel of Oct. 7 attack

The Emirati president reportedly warned that a planned attack could cause bloodshed, destabilize the region and threaten the Abraham Accords.

Two women stand before graffiti on the cemetery wall for victims of the chemical massacre, on Aug. 21, 2025 in Zamalka, Syria.

UN watchdog formally ends probe into Assad-era nuclear sites

The vote follows last month's visit by international inspectors to two suspected former nuclear sites in Syria.

Latest News

Iran's IRGC set to declare new ‘sanctions zone’ beyond Hormuz: What to know

Elke Scholiers/Getty Images

Majority of Palestinians lose trust in Hamas and Fatah, new poll finds

Palestinians hold up the green Hamas flag during a protest by supporters of both the Fatah and Hamas movements, as they rally in support of the Palestinian people following Friday noon prayers in Hebron, occupied West Bank, Nov. 3, 2023.

US strikes Iranian tankers after attempted attack on Navy ship

Vessels transit the Hormuz Strait off the coast of Iran's southern port city of Bandar Abbas on September 7, 2026. Iran's top negotiator threatened on September 6 of a more forceful response to any further US attacks after Tehran targeted American warships in their latest round of clashes. The exchanges of fire, which began with US raids last week, come amid a deadlock in the six-month war between the two foes. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images) /

Analysis

What Houthi setbacks in Yemen mean for Iran's regional influence

Forces loyal to Yemen's Saudi-backed government

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

Abrams tank

US approves $500 million sale of spare parts to Saudi military

The announcement comes a day after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said that Saudi normalization with Israel is getting closer.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan returns to Turkey after securing thaw with Israel on US trip

Erdogan met with Netanyahu for the first time in New York, and is readying to visit Jerusalem as soon as next month.

The new US embassy under construction on land adjacent to the current compound, Metn, Beirut, May 5, 2023.

Lebanon investigates shooting incident near US Embassy

In a rare incident, an unknown assailant reportedly fired shots near entrance to the US embassy outside Beirut.

Assads arrive in China

Red carpet, honor guard and flowers: Syria’s Assad receives lavish welcome in China

Assad will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping during his first visit to China since 2004, potentially turning a page in Syria-China relations as Damascus seeks reconstruction help.

MBS

Saudi Arabia's MBS warns if Iran gets nuclear weapons, 'we have to get one'

Saudi leader Mohammed bin Salman said that a normalization deal with Israel is getting "closer" as the negotiations continue on a Saudi civilian nuclear program.

Resilient Africa

First Ukraine grain ship since Russia left deal reaches Turkey’s Bosporus

Turkey remains reluctant to be a part of an alternative grain deal for Ukraine’s grain shipments despite Kyiv and Washington's efforts to form one.

Jordanian King Abdullah II at the Middle East Global Summit on Sept. 20, 2023. (Al-Monitor/Yvonne Tnt)

Al-Monitor/Semafor summit: Jordan’s King Abdullah II laments Syrian drug crisis, Iran’s regional role

The monarch also addressed the refugee crisis, the importance of Israeli-Palestinian peace and other regional issues at the Al-Monitor/Semafor Middle East Global Summit.

Erdogan, Mitsotakis

Turkey, Greece to resume confidence-building talks in November

It marks the latest of a series of steps taken by Ankara and Athens to solve their multiple disagreements through dialogue.

Anwar Gargash

Al-Monitor/Semafor summit: UAE seeks ‘ironclad’ defense agreement from the US, Anwar Gargash says

UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said growing ties with countries like China will not replace its reliance on the United States for security.

King of Jordan

Highlights: Al-Monitor/Semafor Middle East Global Summit

The Al-Monitor & Semafor inaugural Middle East Global Summit on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings on Wednesday brought together the region’s leaders, newsmakers and business heads.

HOSSEIN BERIS/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Iran's new hijab bill promises severe penalties for women

Iran's latest hijab legislation comes amid an intensifying crackdown on women a year after the death in custody of Mahsa Amini.

Avi Ohaion/GPO

Israel, Turkey leaders discuss Saudi normalization in first New York meeting

Meeting for the first time on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sought to deepen bilateral ties and advance an Israel-Saudi normalization deal.