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

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Politics & Security

AFP via Getty Images

China presses Iran, US to reopen Hormuz as disruptions threaten oil supply

Conflicts in the region are disrupting two key routes for oil bound for China, with Iranian crude affected by the Strait of Hormuz and Saudi shipments facing growing risks in the Red Sea.

UN peacekeepers stand next to an armored vehicle during a patrol in southern Lebanon, Feb. 22, 2026.

Explainer

Why France is pushing to keep UNIFIL in Lebanon beyond 2026

Showing its support for Lebanon, Paris is backing Beirut’s request at the UN for a short-term extension of UNIFIL’s mandate, although French sources acknowledge that the chances of the request being approved are slim.

Sky News

Algeria pulls Sky News Arabia accreditation amid UAE rift: What to know

Algeria severed diplomatic ties with the UAE, which owns Sky News Arabia through Abu Dhabi-based International Media Investments, last Thursday.

People and pilgrims walk at the Grand Mosque Complex in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca on Sept. 16, 2026.

Saudi Arabia says attempted Mecca drone attack ‘red line’ as Houthis deny claim

The escalation between Yemen’s Houthis and Saudi Arabia comes as the Iranian-backed group reportedly met with US officials in Oman to discuss maritime security.

Latest News

Exclusive

Lacking deterrence, Israel’s security establishment opposes attacks on Houthis

Fighters loyal to the Houthi authorities, brandish their weapons during a rally to recruit more fighters, in Sanaa on September 10, 2026. The country relapsed into war in July after years of calm, drawn into the regional conflict triggered by the US-Israeli offensive against Iran that began at the end of February. (Photo by Mohammed HUWAIS / AFP via Getty Images)

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Analysis

How far will Iran push Houthis against Saudi Arabia amid raging conflict?

Houthi fighters marching

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

Why Saudi Arabia's balancing act with US, Iran, Houthis risks collapse

Fighters loyal to the Houthi authorities shout slogans during a rally to recruit more fighters, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Sept. 10, 2026.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

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

Mikdad

UN General Assembly updates: Syria's FM slams Israel, reiterates amnesty offer for rebels

Follow along for the latest updates as Middle East leaders head to New York for the annual UN General Assembly.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

Russian "Marina" shows her Russian passport as she poses for a photo in a hostel in Belgrade, on March 17, 2022.

Turkey braces for fresh influx of Russians as Putin announces mobilization

Prices of international flights from Russia to countries where Russians can visa-free travel skyrocketed within hours following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s partial mobilization announcement.

Members of Israeli security forces and emergency services inspect the site of a reported attack on an Israeli bus.

How West Bank flare-ups could impact Israeli election

Confronted with a wave of terror attacks, Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Defense Minister Benny Gantz adopt a more hawkish approach to security in the West Bank.

People hold signs and chant slogans during a protest over the death of Iranian Mahsa Amini.

Anti-hijab protests spread to Iran's universities

The death of a young woman in police custody has sparked protests across the country.

DENIS LOVROVIC/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey’s Erdogan tours world stage but misses royal funeral

The Turkish president’s foreign trips are widely seen as a way of boosting his image at home.

Avi Ohaion/GPO

Israel’s Lapid meets with Jordanian, Turkish leaders at UN General Assembly

Ahead of addressing the UN General Assembly on Thursday, Prime Minister Yair Lapid met in New York with two important allies of Israel: Jordanian King Abdullah II and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

A Syrian woman fills a container with water at the Sahlah al-Banat camp in the countryside of Raqqa, northern Syria, Sept. 19, 2022.

Concerns grow over cholera epidemic reaching northern Syria

The Syrian opposition fears that cholera will reach its areas of control in northwestern Syria, which would be catastrophic, especially since the area’s resilience to the epidemic is low with weak capabilities of the health sector and a great number of displaced persons in camps.

Protests in Tehran on Sept. 20.

Iranian government confirms three deaths in hijab protest

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, in New York for the UN General Assembly meetings, called Mahsa Amini's family in an attempt to stem the reaction to her death in police custody.

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

Why Erdogan’s Shanghai ambitions are risky business

President Erdogan’s statement that NATO-member Turkey is targeting membership in the Shanghai club is more geared toward domestic consumption than reality, particularly after a top Russian diplomat said NATO and the SCO are incompatible.

French President Emmanuel Macron (L) holds a bilateral meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

Iran nuclear talks' key players converge at UN General Assembly

The Iran deal’s negotiators are in town for the United Nations summit, but expectations are low that the diplomatic flurry will produce a breakthrough.

Knesset

Split endangers Arab Knesset representation

Balad's decision to part from its Joint List partners Hadash and Ta’al might cost it dearly.

RONEN ZVULUN/AFP via Getty Images

Lapid sticks to high ground en route to Israeli elections

The calm and unprovocative demeanor of Prime Minister Yair Lapid is earning him growing support within the Israeli electorate.