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

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Politics & Security

U.S. President Donald Trump makes an announcement on American nuclear innovation in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 24, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

US halts strikes on Iran, sees opening for talks: What to know

A four-day lull in Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the strait of Hormuz was seen as an opportunity to resume diplomatic talks and dial down the war, Al-Monitor’s source said.

Jared Szuba

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

Muntions near a B1 Bomber are seen at RAF Fairford on July 24, 2026, in Fairford, England.

Analysis

What Iran's warning to Britain reveals about broader escalation strategy

Iran's latest warning to Britain reflects more than wartime rhetoric, exposing how Tehran is widening its deterrence as the conflict increasingly draws in US allies.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Ozgur Ozel

Analysis

What challenges await Erdogan’s new rival and Turkey’s new opposition party?

Ousted main opposition leader Ozgur Ozel's bid to challenge Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan depends on surviving a widening legal crackdown and reconciling deep ideological, nationalist and Kurdish divisions within his own coalition.

Halil Karaveli

By Halil Karaveli

US President Donald Trump (L) and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia pause for photographs along the West Wing Colonnade at the White House on Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington.

Analysis

Saudi nuclear deal adds new wrinkle if Iran talks resume

Should the United States and Iran return to the negotiating table, the newly reached US-Saudi nuclear deal could give Tehran fresh leverage.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Latest News

Iran signs 25 deals at SCO meeting: What to know

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Ahead of Trump meeting, Netanyahu lays groundwork for Israel to rejoin Iran war

GIL COHEN-MAGEN / AFP via Getty Images

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

Kuwait hands citizen life sentence for spying for Iran, Hezbollah: What to know

YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images

Jordan intercepts 7 missiles, 6 drones as Iran warns civilians near US bases

Iranians ride their motorcycles past a deactivated Kheibar Shekan ballistic missile in front of a picture of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran's Bahrestan Square on September 27, 2025, as part of an exhibit to mark the "Sacred Defense Week" commemorating the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via 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

People pose for a photo as artist JR, in partnership with For Freedoms, Vital Voices, and the Woman, Life, Freedom global coalition of Iranian women leaders.

TIME magazine names Iranian women ‘heroes of the year’

Iranian women are leading the protests in Iran that began after an Iranian Kurdish woman was allegedly beaten to death over her head covering.

People in Iran take part in a demonstration in support of Iranian protesters, on Sept. 25, 2022.

Iran's government reaches out to Reformist party as protests continue

Iranian officials have reached out to Reformists in hopes of quelling the protests.

basketball

More basketball teams from West Bank settlements enter Israel’s national league

The Israeli Basketball Association and the International Basketball Federation would rather avoid the delicate issue of settlement teams hosting games and playing in the Israel professional national league.

South Korean Defense Ministry via Getty Images

Turkey cautiously optimistic as US drops conditions for F-16 sales

Turkey's foreign minister has urged the swift finalization of the much-awaited sale, while Greek news outlets maintain the final text carried a warning to Turkey against violating Greek airspace.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Russian delegation heads to Turkey amid potential Syria offensive

The top Turkish diplomat aired a rare complaint over the Russian stalling of constitutional talks between the warring Syrian actors, calling on Moscow to allow the process to resume.

Salah Hamouri in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on Nov. 8, 2021.

France criticizes Israel for prolonging detention of French-Palestinian detainee

Instead of being expelled to France last Sunday, French-Palestinian Salah Hamouri is being kept in prison pending a Jan. 1 court hearing of his case.

People demonstrate outside the Iranian Embassy in Ukraine on Oct. 17, 2022, in Kyiv.

Iran sent more drones to Russia for use in Ukraine, US suggests

Tehran sent additional UAVs, but no ballistic missiles thus far, the White House said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for three days of meetings: in this photo from Sept. 4, 2016, he greets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Hangzhou, China.

China’s Saudi visit reveals GCC goals for economic alternatives

China’s presidential visit to Saudi Arabia is expected to yield a host of deals as the GCC increasingly looks eastward on trade.

AKP party supporters attend the "Unity, Will, Victory" rally at the Galatasaray's Nef Stadium in Istanbul on Nov. 27, 2022, six months ahead of Turkey's next presidential elections.

Al-Monitor/Premise poll finds tight race for Erdogan in Turkey's elections

As the battle for Turkey’s upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections intensifies, an Al-Monitor poll predicts a tight race between the country’s leading opposition bloc and the ruling alliance.

Israel's President Isaac Herzog (R) and Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands after the former tasked the latter with forming a new government, in Jerusalem, on Nov. 13, 2022.

President Herzog presents Israel’s liberal face

President Isaac Herzog, and his brother, Israel’s envoy to the US Michael Herzog, could help Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu reassure the concerned Biden administration.

Iranian women shop at the Tajrish traditional bazaar in the capital Tehran on Oct. 2, 2022. This week many Iranian business owners across the country have closed their doors as part of a widespread strike.

Iran businesses on strike despite legal threats

Business owners appeared to have defied the judiciary chief's threats of prosecution as a fresh wave of strikes gathered steam amid Iran's months-long anti-government unrest.

A handout picture provided by the Iranian Army official website on Sept. 12, 2020, shows Iranian naval ships parading during the last day of a military exercise in the Gulf, near the strategic strait of Hormuz in southern Iran.

Iran’s IRGC navy harassed US ships in Strait of Hormuz, US says

An IRGC patrol boat harassed two US Navy ships just days after one of them was involved in the seizure of 50 tons of smuggled ammunition bound for Yemen.