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

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Politics & Security

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is welcomed to the Saadabad Palace in Tehran by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, July 23, 2026.

Analysis

Zaidi’s test in Tehran

Week in Review

By Week in Review

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

Latest News

Analysis

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

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

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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

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

Sudanese gather amid renewed ethnic clashes in al-Roseires, despite a cease-fire agreement between rival groups following deadly violence weeks ago, Blue Nile state, Sudan, Sept. 2, 2022.

New wave of violence in Sudan puts coup generals in spotlight

Renewed fierce clashes in the Blue Nile state have again shown the generals’ inability to ensure security and revealed the weaknesses of the peace agreement in place, causing new rifts.

Toomaj Salehi

Iran arrests dissident rapper amid anti-government protests

Toomaj Salehi was active on social media regarding the protests in Iran that began in the wake of Mahsa Amini’s death in the custody of the morality police on Sept. 16.

People wave flags of Libya (R) and Turkey (L) during a demonstration in Martyrs' Square, Tripoli, Libya, June 21, 2020.

Libya derails Egypt-Turkey rapprochement

Egypt-Turkey talks to normalize their relations were halted in the wake of Ankara’s recent oil deal with Libya's Tripoli-based government.

Members of the Hamas security forces show their skills in a drill held during a graduation ceremony, Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Oct. 31, 2022.

Gaza factions brace for Israeli assassinations

Palestinian factions are on high alert in the Gaza Strip amid concerns that Israel will carry out assassination operations against figures it accuses of inciting attacks in the West Bank.

Israel election

Analysis

Netanyahu unlikely to upset US ties over Iran, Lebanon

Lion's Den fighters shift attacks from Nablus to Hebron; Palestinian startups get warm welcome in Dubai.

Week in Review

By Week in Review

Ben-Gvir

Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition could upend Israeli democracy

Incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a dangerous deal with far-right and religious radical partners who are sure to undercut Israeli's democratic institutions.

Former Israeli Prime Minister and Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu speak to the press after casting their vote in the Israeli general election, Jerusalem, Nov. 1, 2022.

Netanyahu back with Israel's furthest-right government ever

About to establish his sixth government, Benjamin Netanyahu must partner exclusively with religious and far-right partners.

Iranian refugees and Iranians living in Greece hold up placards during a demonstration to commemorate 40 days from the death of Iranian Mahsa Amini while in police custody in Iran, in central Athens on Oct. 29, 2022.

Iran rocked by more violence as protesters mourn victims

The clashes saw angry protesters taking on government forces, who had opened fire and blocked ways to the victims’ graves.

Palestinians gather to demonstrate at the Hawara checkpoint, demanding the reopening of roads around the closed-off city of Nablus, West Bank, Nov. 1, 2022.

Israel lifts siege on Nablus as Lion’s Den group gains more popularity

Israel has partially lifted the siege it had imposed on the West Bank city of Nablus after killing the leader of the Lion’s Den group.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar (L) speaks with Sweden's Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist ahead of the second day of a meeting of the alliance's Defense Ministers at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Oct. 13, 2022.

NATO chief urges Turkey to stop stalling Sweden, Finland accession

Both Turkey's president and foreign minister tell the NATO secretary-general that steps from Sweden and Finland will determine the pace of Ankara’s ratification of the Nordic accession.

Netanyahu

India’s Modi, Italy’s Meloni congratulate Netanyahu

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also congratulated Israel's current opposition leader, who is slated to return as prime minister with a right-wing coalition.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and wife, Sara.

Lapid concedes defeat, congratulates Netanyahu on winning Israeli election

Prime Minister Yair Lapid broke his two-day silence and called opposition head Benjamin Netanyahu to congratulate him for winning the elections.