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

politics and security cover image

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

US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby.

Saudi Arabia's defense of OPEC+ cuts draws sharp US rebuke

The United States and Saudi Arabia are offering differing accounts of OPEC+'s decision to cut oil production.

A demonstrator with an Iranian flag and red hands painted on her face attends a rally.

Iran chief judge says no mercy for protest organizers

The directive came after a green light from Iran's supreme leader and following another day of deadly unrest nationwide.

Fatih Ardıç - Maskot Ettin Beni

Turkish imam loses his job over lyrics criticizing government

Demotion of an imam over a protest song comes as another sign of the expanding intolerant climate in Turkey ahead of June elections.

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez.

Turkey bullish about F-16 deal with Washington, despite Menendez's vow to block it

The New Jersey senator has vowed to block any deal until the Turkish president "halts his campaign of aggression against the region."

An undated image of Rashid.

Iraqi lawmakers elect Abdul Latif Rashid as new president

The often-deadlocked parliament chose a veteran Kurdish politician as president, who in turn designated Muhammad Shia al-Sudani for the prime minister position.

A member of the Israeli security forces is pictured in the Shuafat refugee camp during confrontations with Palestinian protesters, east Jerusalem, Oct. 12, 2022.

Israel on high alert over clashes in east Jerusalem

Tensions in the West Bank and in the east Jerusalem Shuafat refugee camp are quickly spreading to many other locations, with violent clashes between Palestinians and Israeli troops.

Flag

Rockets hit Baghdad's Green Zone as lawmakers gather to select Iraq's president

As lawmakers were preparing to select the country's president, several rockets hit the area around the parliament building.

Hamas

Hamas leaders head to Damascus amid rapprochement

A large Palestinian delegation, including Hamas leaders, is expected to meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus in late October, seeking to mend ties after a decade-long rupture.

Saudi OPEC

Analysis

The Takeaway: Congress weighs action against Saudi Arabia after OPEC+ cut

Plus, behind the scenes of the Israel-Lebanon maritime deal; Gaza’s female students reject the veil; Egyptian students protest dress codes; Egypt shelves Russian MIR payment system; West Bank violence escalates.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Andrew Parasiliti

By Elizabeth Hagedorn , Andrew Parasiliti

Israeli security forces stand behind a makeshift barricade of flaming tires separating them from Palestinian youths during clashes at the northern entrance of Ramallah, West Bank, Oct. 3, 2022.

Palestinian security forces become more involved in resistance in West Bank

The involvement of Palestinian security service members in attacks against Israeli forces in the West Bank is on the increase, amid the growing concerns of the Israeli army.

An Iranian pro-government protester wears a pin displaying a portrait of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran's Khamenei tells officials to 'act on their duties' amid ongoing protests

Hours after Iran's supreme leader renewed his order for measures against protesters, Iranians took to the streets in several cities once again, calling for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

EU warns Turkey on ties with Russia ahead of Erdogan-Putin meeting

The European Commission’s annual report on Turkey criticizes Ankara for increasing trade and financial relations with Russia, inviting Russian oligarchs to the country and undermining EU sanctions against Russia.