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

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Politics & Security

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testifies during a House Select Intelligence Committee hearing on March 19, 2026, in Washington, DC.

Tulsi Gabbard resigns as top US intelligence official: What to know

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard cites her husband’s bone cancer diagnosis as reason for stepping down.

Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel, speaks to the media at CHP headquarters on May 22, 2026, in Ankara, Turkey.

Analysis

Erdogan’s CHP move raises early poll prospects as Iran war bleeds Turkey’s economy

A court move targeting Turkey’s main opposition party, combined with mounting economic pressure linked to the Iran conflict, is raising expectations of an early vote that could extend President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s rule.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

As Pakistan military chief holds Iran talks, Israel's Netanyahu fears being left out

US President Donald Trump's comment that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would do "whatever I want” is troubling the premier's inner circle ahead of the elections in October.

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

This photograph taken during a press tour organised by the Lebanese army shows Lebanese soldiers standing atop military vehicles in Alma Al-Shaab, near the border with Israel in southern Lebanon, on Nov. 28, 2025.

Lebanon’s military hits back at US sanctions, says loyalty 'solely to the nation'

Lebanon’s army and General Security stressed that their members remain loyal state institutions, responding to US sanctions that for the first time targeted security officers for alleged ties to Hezbollah.

Latest News

Ireland joins EU push to ban trade with Israeli settlements amid flotilla backlash

Burak Kara/Getty Images

Live Updates

Iran talks see momentum as Pakistani officials visit Tehran

This handout photo released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry on April 25, 2026 shows Pakistan's Army Chief and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir (R) meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi upon his arrival in Islamabad. US envoys headed to the Pakistani capital on April 25 in a bid to kickstart a new round of peace negotiations with Iran amid a fragile ceasefire, though the prospect of direct talks remained uncertain. (Photo by Iranian Foreign Ministry / AFP via Getty Images) / XGTY / RESTRICTED TO E

In first, US sanctions Lebanon military, intel officials for aiding Hezbollah

Israeli soldiers react after taking cover near the Israel-Lebanon border following a Hezbollah drone attack that hit the northern border on May 19, 2026. The Israeli military on May 19 warned residents of 12 towns and villages in southern Lebanon to immediately evacuate ahead of expected attacks against Hezbollah, the latest despite a ceasefire. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP via Getty Images)

US, Iran trade mixed signals on enriched uranium as Tehran weighs response

Iranians drive next to a billboard displaying pictures of nuclear scientists, centrifuges and a sentence reading in Farsi " Science is the power," at the Enqelab Square in Tehran, on Aug. 29, 2025.

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

President Ebrahim Raisi (R) kisses the Koran in the presence of Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejeie.

Iran judiciary calls for end to protests

Iran’s judiciary chief is the latest official to call for an end to protests.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Military assistance to Ukraine becomes Israeli electoral issue

Human rights activist and former Israeli minister Nathan Sharansky met last week in Kyiv with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and apologized for being the first Israeli official to come.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men and children perform the "Tashlich" ritual, during which "sins are cast into the water to the fish," ahead of the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), Netanya, Israel, Oct. 3, 2022.

Israel's ultra-Orthodox parties make final push ahead of election

With the young ultra-Orthodox sick of their veteran politicians and expressing support for ultranationalist Itamar Ben-Gvir, the ultra-Orthodox parties fear losing votes.

Former Israeli Prime Minister and Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to supporters inside a modified truck with a side bulletproof glass during a campaign event, Bnei Brak, Israel, Oct. 29, 2022.

Netanyahu within reach of comeback in Israeli election

Last polls before tomorrow’s elections predict that opposition head Benjamin Netanyahu is very close to achieving the 61-seat majority he needs in the Knesset to come back to power.

People hold up placards during a rally in support of the demonstrations in Iran, at The Place de la Republique in Paris, on Oct. 29, 2022.

IRGC warns Iran protesters as unrest enters seventh week

Despite the warning, the protests swelled, and faced an escalation in violent police raids on funerals, campuses and dormitories.

Turkey drone

Turkey looks to sell armed drones to Libya

Ankara’s new deals with one of Libya’s rival premiers have inflamed the country’s internal rows, bringing the north African nation closer to acquiring armed drones.

Iraqi Prime Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with his cabinet on Oct. 28, 2022 in Baghdad.

Iraq's new premier meets with cabinet

Iraq's new government has held its first cabinet meeting in Baghdad.

JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images

Qatar summons German ambassador over World Cup criticism

Qatar, which will be the first Middle East country to host the World Cup, has been criticized by Germany for its human rights record.

Maja Hitij/Getty Images

Analysis

Are Iran’s protests different this time?

Protesters hope to bring change, maybe even to the regime, but it's not yet visible.

Week in Review

By Week in Review

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Breaking | Last Updated: October 28, 2022, 2:50 pm

US sanctions Iranian foundation over Rushdie attack

The United States designated the 15 Khordad Foundation for financially backing the call for Salman Rushdie’s death.

Israeli campaign posters

As countdown begins, Israeli vote defies prediction

None of the many possible outcomes of next week's vote offer real hope for a stable, majority-supported new government in Israel.

Arab Israeli

Arab groups cooperate to raise turnout in Israeli election

A coalition of groups refuses to accept surveys predicting an especially low turnout of Israeli Arab voters at election booths next week.