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

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Politics & Security

YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Iran war puts Turkey’s inflation fight, lira under fresh pressure

A prolonged Iran war is leaving Turkey's economy management caught between maintaining painful monetary tightening and cutting rates before the economy is ready.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

moke rises from a high-rise building following a drone attack in Kuwait City on March 8, 2026.

Analysis

Can Kuwait secure a Saudi-style defense pact with Pakistan?

Kuwait and other GCC states are looking to Pakistan, among other countries, for alternate security arrangements and multilayered deterrence.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

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

Latest News

Analysis

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

Ozgur Ozel

Halil Karaveli

By Halil Karaveli

Analysis

Saudi nuclear deal adds new wrinkle if Iran talks resume

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.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

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

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

A young displaced Syrian returns from school to an overcrowded camp for the internally displaced near the village of Qah, close to the Turkish border, northwestern Idlib province, Oct. 28, 2020.

Syrian jihadi group exploits poverty in Idlib to attract new members

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which controls Idlib, is taking advantage of the difficult living conditions of the people to attract more people into its ranks by offering high salaries.

Members of the Palestinian Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades take part in a demonstration by supporters of the Hamas movement.

Hamas says it is not behind rocket attacks from Gaza

Hamas says it is committed to the truce with Israel.

Members of the Baqir Brigade are seen in the city of Aleppo in this undated photo.

Why is Iran allying itself with Syrian tribal brigade in Aleppo?

A group of Iranian clerics visited the headquarters of the Baqir Brigade, Iran's ally, in the city of Aleppo. The brigade has played a major role in curbing Russian influence in Aleppo in favor of Iran.

Iran nuclear

With US elections over, new run at Iran nuclear deal is possible

By backing the Israel-Lebanon border agreement, Iran shows it is ready to move with the right guarantees.

Afif Abu Much

UAE think tank explores fallout of Israeli elections

In a sign of strengthening relations, a first-of-its-kind symposium this week in Abu Dhabi discussed election results in Israel and the political and security climates there.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (L) hold a press conference following their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Ankara on November 8, 2022.

The Turkey Briefing: Erdogan basks in the global limelight

In this weekly newsletter, Amberin Zaman rounds up the biggest Turkey stories from the region.

Uriel Sinai/Getty Images

Far-right future Israeli lawmakers visit volatile Joseph’s Tomb in West Bank

Fanning the flames of unrest ahead of Israel’s incoming government, far-right and ultra-Orthodox future Knesset members encountered gunfire when they visited the site of Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus this week.

Jordan's Queen Rania opens the Paris Peace Forum

Israel skips Paris Peace Forum

Hosting young entrepreneurs and civil groups from across the globe, the Paris Peace Forum could have been an opportunity for Israelis to meet with counterparts from Algeria, Qatar and other countries that lack diplomatic relations with Jerusalem.

Leader of the far right 'Otzma Yehudit' (Jewish power) party Itamar Ben-Gvir waves as he marches with supporters at the Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem on September 13, 2019. (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP) (Photo credit should read MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

The Israel Briefing: US concerned over appointment of Israeli ultranationalist

In this weekly newsletter, Ben Caspit and Rina Bassist round up the biggest Israel stories from the region.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the Israeli far-right Jewish Power party, speaks during parliamentary consultations with parties elected in the 25th Knesset, at the presidential residence, Jerusalem, Nov. 10, 2022.

US concerned over appointment of Israeli ultranationalist as public security minister

With President Isaac Herzog preparing to task Benjamin Netanyahu with the composition of the next government, the Biden administration is increasingly worried over ultranationalist Itamar Ben-Gvir, ideological successor of Rabbi Meir Kahane, becoming a Cabinet minister.

B-52

The Security Briefing: deterrence returns to the Gulf

In this weekly newsletter, Pentagon Correspondent Jared Szuba rounds up the biggest defense stories from the region.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Egypt raises security implications of climate change at COP27

As Egypt hosts the UN climate conference COP27, Cairo is focusing particularly on the harm climate change could do to local and international peace and security.