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

politics and security cover image

Politics & Security

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) casts his ballot, next to his wife Sara

Explainer

From Oct. 7 inquiry to blocking Netanyahu: Eisenkot's bloc maps out Knesset agenda

Israel's opposition to advance anti-Netanyahu government measures as soon as Knesset convenes Tuesday, without waiting for a new cabinet to take shape.

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 23: U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) speaks at a press conference on China AI export controls at the U.S. Capitol on September 23, 2026 in Washington, DC. Slotkin, joined by fellow Senate Democrats, urged Senate Republican's and the Trump administration to enact stronger export controls on AI technology and computer chips to China. The Democrats also call for a vote on bipartisan export control legislation, including the AI OVERWATCH Act, the MATCH Act, and the Chip Security Act. (

Slotkin, Van Hollen emerge as potential challengers to Schumer’s Senate leadership

A growing number of Democrats are calling for new leadership in the Senate to replace Schumer, arguing that the party needs a leader who better reflects its generational and ideological shift to the left.

SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images

Massie introduces impeachment articles against Hegseth over Iran war

House Democrats are on board with voting to impeach the Pentagon chief, but it's not clear how many Republicans will break with the White House's public messaging.

This photograph shows empty fresh-food refrigerators at an Intermarche supermarket in Nevez, France, on Oct. 12, 2026, following a cyberattack that caused its refrigerators to defrost.

France blames Iran for supermarket fridge hack, seeks EU sanctions

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Monday blamed Iran for the October cyberattack that disabled refrigeration at supermarkets across France.

Latest News

Explainer

Iraqi PM cancels Mosul airport contracts, citing Iran militia links: What to know

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi speaks during a joint press conference with Germans chachellor at the Chancellery on September 15, 2026 in Berlin, Germany. High on the meeting's agenda is the expansion of economic cooperation between Germany and Iraq. (Photo by Michele Tantussi/Getty Images)

Trump meets Qatar PM as mediators push Iran deal

President Donald Trump (R) attends a bilateral meeting with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during the G7 summit, in Evian, France, on June 16, 2026.

Lebanon replaces Detroit consul expelled over 1983 Marines attack posts

Marines barracks

Iran claims IAEA held 'recent' inspection at Bushehr plant: What to know

A picture taken on Nov. 10, 2019, shows an Iranian flag at Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant.

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

Israelis who were allowed to enter an arena after showing proof of being fully vaccinated against the coronavirus attend a "Green Pass" concert for vaccinated seniors, organized by the municipality of Tel Aviv, Israel, Feb. 24, 2021.

Israel uneasy with deal granting UAE control over pensions

Israeli experts warn against the deal, which will have Abu Dhabi government-backed ADQ Developmental Holding Company purchasing a 25% controlling part of Israel’s Phoenix insurance company.

Lebanon's Middle East Airlines planes are parked on the tarmac of Beirut International Airport amid restrictions to combat the coronavirus across the country, Lebanon, March 19, 2020.

Israel could strike in Lebanon if Iran renews weapons smuggling

Iran’s suspected intention to launch an aerial smuggling route from Tehran to Beirut, using civilian flights of an airline operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has prompted concern in Israel.

FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images

French foreign minister in Morocco ahead of Macron visit

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna is in Rabat to prepare for next month's visit by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Jordanian protesters wave national flags and shout slogans during an anti-austerity rally, in front of the Labor Union offices, Amman, Jordan, June 6, 2018.

Jordanian officer killed as protests over fuel prices spread

The killing of the officer comes after governmental measures failed to stop a strike staged by lorry and public transport drivers in different Jordanian regions following the protesters’ insistence on a reduction in fuel prices

A participant holds a banner bearing an image of recently executed Iranian protester Mohsen Shekari.

As Iran's protests enter fourth month, ruthless judiciary dials up executions

As notorious judges lead kangaroo trials and "mock executions", activists are sounding the alarm that the Islamic Republic is using capital punishment as a fear-mongering tool to crush the protest movement.

(L-R) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani pose before they participate in the signing of the Abraham Accords, on the South Lawn of the White House, Washington, Sept. 15, 2020.

Netanyahu says peace with Saudis could lead to Israel-Palestine resolution

Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu in a rare interview with Saudi-owned outlet, called on US to reaffirm alliance with Riyadh, and for Riyadh to enter talks with Jerusalem for normalizing ties.

People gather near the site of an explosion that hit the police headquarters the day before in the Kurdish majority city of Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey, April 12, 2017.

Turkey blames Kurdish militants over car bomb attack wounding nine

Turkey's interior minister has blamed the outlawed Kurdish militants over the roadside bomb attack in the Kurdish-majority southeast.

A protester wearing a face mask holds her fist in the air as demonstrators gather in front of the Brandenburg Gate to march in solidarity with protesters in Iran on October 15, 2022 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Omer Messinger/Getty Images)

Iran top Central Bank official removed as unrest triggers currency crash

The dismissal of Iran's foreign exchange head follows the unprecedented depreciation of rial, following three months of anti-government protests.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) leaders' summit in Samarkand on September 16, 2022. (Photo by ALEXANDR DEMYANCHUK/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey's Erdogan seeking a meeting with Assad and Putin

In a reversal, Erdogan wants Russia to set-up a three-way meeting with Bashar Al-Assad, ten years after Ankara calling for his removal from power

YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images

Turkish mayor's conviction unites opposition, but challenger to Erdogan unclear

Turkey's opposition leaders are rallying around the case of Ekrem Imamoglu, whose conviction seems to have kicked off the campaign for next year’s elections.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin greets Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi (R) as he arrives for meetings at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, December 14, 2022. (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

Egypt’s Sisi gets warm welcome at Pentagon as Cairo assumes naval role

Egypt took charge of Combined Task Force 153 on Monday as the Pentagon seeks to economize its footprint in the Middle East.

This picture shows an official yellow taxi and a van vehicle driven on the Galata Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, March 30, 2018.

US Embassy in Turkey clarifies car crash involving mission community member

The embassy has clarified reports over an individual who crashed his car in Istanbul while he was reportedly driving under influence of alcohol.