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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

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

Israelis' Russian families allowed into country after deportation backlash

After disastrous deportation incidents, Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked has agreed to grant tourist visas to the spouses of Russian Israelis fleeing Russia.

United Nations peacekeeping vehicle drives to Naqura, the southernmost Lebanese town by the border with Israel.

Israeli PM acknowledges role of Biden, Macron in Lebanon maritime deal

Israel's Prime Minister Yair Lapid confirmed this evening publications in France over the significant role played by French President Emmanuel Macron in reaching the maritime agreement with Lebanon.

Amos ben Gershom/GPO

Israel moves ahead on maritime agreement with Lebanon

A maritime boundary agreement with Lebanon is finally headed for a likely approval vote in Israel.

A fighter from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) walks past shops with their fronts painted with the Arabic phrases "beware a sniper" and "caliphate state," after the Kurdish-led and US-backed SDF retook the city from Islamic State fighters, Hajin, Deir ez-Zor province, Syria, Jan. 27, 2019.

Islamic State terrorizes business owners in northeast Syria

Islamic State cells have been active in the areas controlled by the Kurdish forces in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor, forcing business owners to pay taxes under the pretext of zakat.

Leaders of nations of the European Political Community (EPC), including Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev (L) and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (R).

Turkey's stance complicates potential peace between Armenia, Azerbaijan

By linking Turkey’s normalization with Armenia to a peace settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Erdogan could encourage intransigence on Baku’s part.

Windsurfers surf by an Israeli navy boat in the Mediterranean Sea at the Israeli side of the border with Lebanon.

US touts 'historic breakthrough' on Israel-Lebanon maritime border

President Joe Biden called on Lebanon and Israel to now implement the agreement over their long-disputed maritime border.

AFP via Getty Images

Security forces reportedly fire on crowds as protests rock Kurdish city

Iranian security forces have been seen firing indiscriminately into residential neighborhoods in the Kurdish city of Sanandaj, which has hot spot of anti-government protests.

MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

US to 'reevaluate' relationship with Saudi Arabia after OPEC move

The White House has nodded to calls among Democrats in Congress for a reappraisal of Washington's seven decades of support to the kingdom.

Washington Connection

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Turkish lawmakers to vote on bill critics say will strangle media

Despite international warnings and the opposition’s efforts to kill the controversial bill, the parliament is set to consider Turkey's latest restrictive press law.

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images

Iraqi parliament sets date to pick president

The Iraqi parliament is set to meet Thursday to select the president and from there, form a new government.

ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli right pleased with Italy's next prime minister

Italy's next Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is being fawned over by the Israeli right while the rest of the political spectrum treads carefully.

People look at the crater left by a missile strike on a playground in Taras Shevchenko Park the day before, Kyiv, Ukraine, Oct. 11, 2022.

Israel’s Lapid condemns Russian attack on Kyiv

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid has joined condemnation from across the globe against the Russian attack on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.