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

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.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz (L) with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) and Defense Minister Hulusi Akar (R), Presidential Palace, Ankara, Turkey, Oct. 27 2022.

Turkey, Israel relaunch security ties during historic visit

On a historic official visit to Ankara, and after meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz announced the official resumption of bilateral security relations.

Police experts inspect a crater caused by a shell explosion following a Russian airstrike outside the National University of Urban Economy, Kharkiv, Ukraine, July 23, 2022.

Thousands of Egyptian students in Ukraine, Russia stuck in limbo amid war

The Egyptian government held a virtual meeting to address students’ challenges as those in Ukraine cope with the ongoing war and others in Russia are unable to pay tuition due to sanctions.

Iran protest

Iran police attack mourners at teenage protester’s grave

The protesters had gathered to mark 40 days since the 16-year-old girl died under disputed circumstances.

Muhammad Shia al-Sudani addresses parliament on Oct. 27, 2022.

Iraq's parliament votes to approve new PM, government

The Iraqi parliament gave a vote of confidence to incoming PM Muhammad Shia al-Sudani, approving his government program and his cabinet with 21 ministers. Sudani pledged to hold early elections within one year.

Israel's Defense Minister Benny Gantz attends a laying wreath ceremony at Anitkabir.

Turkey, Israel agree to strengthen defense ties

Israeli defense chief stressed stability in the Eastern Mediterranean during his landmark visit to Ankara amid lingering tensions between Turkey and Greece.

A participant faces riot policemen wearing a rainbow flag during a pride march in Istanbul, on June 26, 2022.

Turkey’s LGBTQ community alarmed over Erdogan’s ‘family’ vision

Rights activists in Turkey fear a rise in homophobic discrimination and hate crimes as Erdogan vocally stigmatizes the LGBTQ community.

at the United Nations Interim Force to Lebanon headquarters in Naqoura, Lebanon

Israel, Lebanon ink maritime border deal

Delegations from Israel, Lebanon, the United States, the United Nations and France gathered in Naqoura, Lebanon, to make the agreement on the Israeli-Lebanese maritime border official.

YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey’s Central Bank raises inflation forecast yet again

Turkey's central bank governor has raised the inflation estimate for the fourth time in a year as prices hit a 24-year high.

Israeli Foreign Minister and alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid meets with Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry at Tahrir Palace, Cairo, Egypt, Dec. 9, 2021.

In rare visit to Egypt, Israel’s Lapid to attend COP27 climate summit

The COP27 in Egypt will be launched a week after the general elections in Israel, but Prime Minister Yair Lapid intends to participate in the conference whatever the outcome of the vote.

An Iranian arrives for the opening day of the Tehran International Short Film Festival (TISFF) in the Iranian capital on Oct. 19, 2021.

Iran film festival faces membership suspension and withdrawals amid unrest

The Tehran International Short Film Festival’s credibility hangs in the balance after the international Short Film Conference found its board supportive of “disgraceful government actions” during the Iran uprisings and suspended its membership in response.

Mourners attend the funeral of Palestinians killed in an overnight Israeli raid, in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus on Oct. 25, 2022.

Israel expands military operations in West Bank ahead of elections

Israeli forces kill five Palestinians in attack on Lion's Den complex in Nablus.