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Politics & Security

Turkey's servicemen stand at attention on a Turkish submarine as they participate in the live-fire phase of the Blue Homeland 2026 tactical military exercises in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, in Antalya on April 9, 2026.

Turkey to begin surveys for planned northern Cyprus gas pipeline

The planned 63-mile link is intended to supply gas for electricity generation but has drawn condemnation from the Republic of Cyprus amid rising rivalries in the eastern Mediterranean.

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 18: U.S. President Donald Trump (R) welcomes Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia during an arrival ceremony at the White House on November 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump is hosting the crown prince for meetings aimed at strengthening economic and defense ties, including the U.S. sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

US, Saudi Arabia sign landmark nuclear power agreement

The multibillion-dollar agreement will now undergo congressional review, with expected provisions on uranium enrichment likely to draw scrutiny from some lawmakers.

US President Donald Trump (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands as they arrive to speak to journalists during a joint press conference at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on Dec. 29, 2025.

Israel fears US deal would allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium

Israel fears the US-Saudi civilian nuclear deal could pave the way for uranium enrichment not only by the Saudis but also by other countries in the region.

Latest News

Explainer

Why US-Saudi nuclear deal could encounter hurdles in Congress

Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia (2nd L) is escorted by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) through Statuary Hall as they head to a meeting at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Analysis

Why Mamdani concluded he can’t arrest Israel’s PM Netanyahu

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during a primary-night watch party for NYC Congressional candidate Claire Valdez at 99 Scott Studio on June 23, 2026 in the East Williamsburg neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough in New York City.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

US, Saudi Arabia set to sign nuclear agreement: What to know

Chip Somodevilla/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

Chelsea's Russian owner Roman Abramovich applauds, as players celebrate their league title win at the end of the Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Sunderland, Stamford Bridge, London, United Kingdom, May 21, 2017.

US, UK target Israeli-Russian oligarch Abramovich enablers with more sanctions

The Western allies announced new sanctions against financial fixers for Roman Abramovich and fellow Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, for their financial support of and close ties to President Vladimir Putin.

Here are the biggest Middle East disclosures in the leaked intel docs

Turkey, Israel and the United Arab Emirates are among the Middle East countries named in a major leak of classified US intelligence documents.

The US Central Command Commander General Michael Kurilla speaks at the 18th IISS Manama Dialogue in Bahrain's capital on November 19, 2022. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

CENTCOM eyeing artificial intelligence to counter Iran’s drones, says Kurilla

The top commander of US forces in the Middle East expressed concerns over China's inroads the region and told Al-Monitor he wants to turn up the heat at the next Red Sands exercise in Saudi Arabia to simulate more complex drone attacks.

Washington Connection

Co-leader of the People's Democratic Party (HDP) Mithat Sancar.

Will Turkey’s top court disband pro-Kurdish party ahead of May elections?

The HDP, which might be one step closer to closure with this move, is competing in the crucial polls next month under the list of the Green Left Party.

The US Treasury Department in Washington, DC, on March 28, 2023. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

US targets firms in UAE, Turkey over Russia sanctions evasion

The latest tranche of sanctions come as the Biden administration seeks to crack down on Russia’s financial facilitators.

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad meets with his Saudi counterpart in Riyadh, on April 12, 2023.

Syrian foreign minister makes surprise visit to Saudi Arabia

Syria and Saudi Arabia said they took steps towards resuming consular services and flights between their countries following Faisal Mekdad's first visit since the start of the civil war.

Iranian and Saudi foreign ministers in China

Iranian Embassy reopens its gates in Saudi Arabia after 7 years of closure

The move comes as Saudi Arabia and Iran advance their deal to normalize full relations, while Washington scrambles to maintain its relations with the Gulf kingdom.

A handout photo released by Yemen's Houthis-run Saba News Agency shows the Omani and Saudi delegations in meeting Houthi officials, on April 09, 2023 in Sana'a, Yemen. A delegation from Saudi Arabia and Omani mediators arrived in Yemen's capital Sana'a on Sunday to negotiate a new truce with the Iran-allied Houthi group, as Riyadh seeks a way out of the war and create peace in Yemen. This important political move comes as Diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have multiplied since the Yemeni government

In Yemen, Saudi-Houthi talks signal imminent cease-fire, but no peace in sight yet

Saudi Arabia, whose unilateral cease-fire in April 2020 and initiative in March 2021 were rejected by the Houthis, is finally eyeing a negotiable exit from a war it could not win militarily, chiefly due to multiplicity of agendas, mismanagement of war and lack of strategy.

ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP via Getty Images

Syria, Tunisia to reopen embassies as Arab thaw grows with Assad

Syria continues to reconcile with countries across the Arab world.

sraeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir (C) greets Israeli settlers dressed in Purim costumes as he walks in al-Shuhada street, largely closed to Palestinians, in the city centre of the flashpoint city of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on March 7, 2023. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP) (Photo by HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel's Ben-Gvir's push for a National Guard could give him own militia

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's plans for a National Guard under his command has its origins in the 2021 communal violence between Jews and Arabs, but the security establishment is not on board.

ADEM ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey’s opposition pledges return to economic orthodoxy, faces uphill task

An opposition victory in Turkey’s upcoming elections should put the country back on the path of economic orthodoxy, but the huge cost of the February quakes dictates tough revisions to any economic plans.

This photo shows the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) firing during the Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX) as part of the annual naval exercises between the Philippine Marine Corps and US Marine Corps at Capas, Tarlac province on October 13, 2022. (Photo by JAM STA ROSA / AFP) (Photo by JAM STA ROSA/AFP via Getty Images)

US approves $524 million HIMARS artillery sale to Morocco

The proposed sale, which also includes guided air-to-ground bombs, comes as Morocco draws closer to the United States and rival Algeria pursues stronger ties with Russia.