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

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Politics & Security

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CENTCOM chief meets Saudi Arabia's MBS amid Houthi gains in Yemen

The low-profile meeting between the Pentagon's commander in the Middle East and Saudi crown prince comes as Yemen's Houthis seized the high ground overlooking a vital economic waterway.

People swim next to the Russian-flagged cargo ship OMSKIY-107, which was attacked off the Black Sea coast and eventually ran aground off the shore of the Sile district, Istanbul, Sept. 3, 2026.

Why Turkey has few options to protect Black Sea shipping

The Russia-Ukraine drone war is hitting Turkish commercial interests, exposing the limits of Ankara’s ability to protect shipping while remaining outside the conflict.

Erik Marmor

Analysis

Once Netanyahu’s top challenger, Bennett loses ground to Eisenkot: What to know

Facing the popular Gadi Eisenkot, the Together party of former premiers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid is sinking in Israeli opinion polls.

Mazal Mualem

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

Yemeni separatists

Analysis

What does Houthi advance mean for Yemen’s southern separatists?

The Southern Transitional Council remains somewhat active in southern Yemen after its territorial defeat by the Saudi-backed government, and the Houthis are not interested in fighting the group at present.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

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

Latest News

Analysis

Houthi gains in Yemen are testing Saudi Arabia’s security strategy

boats and a container ship near the Strait of Bab al-Mandeb

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

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

Iran, misreading Trump’s resolve, escalates conflict in Yemen ahead of US midterms

Supporters of the Iran-backed Houthi movement, arrive with their weapons to rally in solidarity with Iran and Lebanon, in Sanaa on April 8, 2026, following the announcement of a ceasefire in the Middle East war.

Analysis

As Houthis seize Bab el-Mandeb, Iran appraises value of new Red Sea card

Fighters loyal to the Houthi authorities gather in Sanaa on Sept. 10, 2026.

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

Alex Wong/Getty Images

US to designate Russia’s Wagner Group as transnational criminal organization

The Russian mercenary group has been accused of war crimes from Syria to Libya, the Central African Republic and Ukraine.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

ESSAM AL-SUDANI/AFP via Getty Images

In restive Iran-Iraq border area, support for firebrand cleric Muqtada al-Sadr holds strong

Al-Monitor traveled to Iraq’s impoverished southeast, known for drug smuggling and militia violence, to explore the continued support there for the Sadr movement.

A protester holds a portrait depicting the slain top commander of the Iranian revolutionary guard corps (IRGC) Qasem Soleimani while praying, during an anti-German demonstration condemning Germany's support of Berlin-based Iranian opposition TV stations and anti-government protests in Iran, outside the German embassy headquarters in Iran's capital Tehran on November 1, 2022. (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran top official threatens EU militaries as IRGC terror designation looms

Europe’s ties with the Islamic Republic have been worsening since the anti-government protests began in Iran last year.

Mounted Police patrol in front of Sacré Cœur Basilica in Montmartre, Paris.

Is 'Jihadi terror' in Europe coming back with a vengeance?

Despite initial fears, terror attacks have been limited in scope since the beginning of the decade, when compared to IS days.

Gilles Kepel

By Gilles Kepel

Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with Knesset member Aryeh Deri of the Shas party during a session to elect the new speaker of the assembly at its Plenum Hall, Jerusalem, Dec. 13, 2022.

Top Israeli court ruling forces Netanyahu to sack ally

The Supreme Court left Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu little choice but to fire his longtime ally Interior Minister Aryeh Deri.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud attends a session at the World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 17, 2023.

Saudi FM says no normalizing ties with Israel before Palestinian issue resolved

Following the normalization deal between Israel, the UAE, Bahrain and Morocco, talks have increased about more Arab countries joining the initiative; Saudi Arabia is on hold for now.

DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Drone attack hits Tanf US base in Syria

The normally quiet al-Tanf base occupies a remote stretch of the Baghdad-Damascus highway on Syria's southern border with Jordan and Iraq.

Jared Szuba

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

Turkish riot police

'We are in a very dangerous situation,' Kuwait's five sisters plead for help to stay in Turkey

Five Kuwaiti sisters, including two minors, say they escaped domestic violence and sexual abuse, and are now beseeching Turkish authorities and civic groups for a safe life.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey insists on separation between F16 sales, NATO enlargement

Sweden’s Defense Minister Pal Jonson is headed to Turkey next week in the first visit by a Swedish official since tensions ramped up over Swedish protesters hanging an effigy of Turkey's president.

Palestinian residents and gunmen inspect the damage following the accidental explosion of an improvised explosive device in Jenin refugee camp, near the city of Jenin, West Bank, Dec. 12, 2022.

Israeli raid kills Palestinian teacher, militant

The West Bank is becoming a daily battleground, witnessing night raids and clashes between Israeli authorities and Palestinians.

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol speaks during a press conference, Seoul, South Korea, March 20, 2022.

South Korea, Iran summon ambassadors after 'enemy' comments

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol described Iran as the “enemy” of the UAE during a visit to the Gulf state, but the East Asian country insists the remarks are being taken out of context.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan, Jerusalem, Jan. 19, 2023.

Iran, expanding Abraham Accords top Netanyahu's meeting with Jake Sullivan

Netanyahu met in Jerusalem with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan, in a bid to coordinate positions on Iran and prepare for a trip by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.