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

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Politics & Security

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Turkey bars MP’s wife from travel after his fund scandal criticism: What to know

Opposition politicians and rights advocates described Yonca Verdioglu Sik’s brief detention as an attempt to intimidate her husband, opposition lawmaker Ahmet Sik, over his criticism of the government.

ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images

GCC to build military command center in Kuwait as region simmers: What to know

GCC countries have stepped up their joint defense efforts with the announcement of a new forward command center to be headquartered in Kuwait, as tensions between Iran and the US continue to escalate.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Hegseth strikes defiant tone, calls House impeachment process 'farce'

Pentagon's top official called Rep. Thomas Massie's charges a 'farce,' arguing other defense secretaries trespassed on the War Powers Act without being impeached.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

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.

Latest News

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

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. (

Massie introduces impeachment articles against Hegseth over Iran war

SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images

France blames Iran for supermarket fridge hack, seeks EU sanctions

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.

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)

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

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.

Israeli Charge d'Affaires Irit Lillian is seen with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglo (C), Israel, May 2022.

Israel nominates first ambassador to Turkey since 2018

The nomination of senior diplomat Irit Lillian as Israel's new ambassador to Ankara clearly signals Jerusalem's commitment to rehabilitating bilateral ties.

The flags of (L to R) Turkey, Israel, and the Israeli army armoured corps fly at the Yad La-Shiryon Tank Museum in Latrun, about 30 kilometres west of Jerusalem, on August 18, 2022. - Israel and Turkey on August 16 announced the resumption of full diplomatic ties following years of strained relations between the Mediterranean nations. Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid hailed the step as an "important asset for regional stability and very important economic news for the citizens" of the Jewish state. Lapid h

Israeli, Turkish leaders to meet at UN amid East Mediterranean tensions

Protesters hold placards and flags during an anti-LGBT rally organized by pro-Islamic organizations in Istanbul on Sept. 18, 2022.

Thousands gather in Istanbul for anti-LGBTQ rally

Organizers say they are rallying for family values, while rights groups protest the rally as a hate crime.

United Nations

Spokesman says nuclear talks not on agenda for Iran at UN summit

The inclusion of Iran's top nuclear negotiator in the delegation, however, could provide opportunities for Iran and other countries to exchange ideas

Jewish pilgrims are stuck between Belarusian and Ukrainian border crossings after Kyiv refused their entry citing coronavirus concerns, Sept. 16, 2020.

Russia, Ukraine exchange barbs over Israeli pilgrimage to Uman

Moscow and Kyiv are exchanging accusations of endangering Israeli Jews wishing traveling to the Ukrainian town of Uman for the annual Jewish New Year pilgrimage.

EDUARDO MUNOZ/AFP via Getty Images

Ahead of UN address, Iran’s Raisi says ‘no trust’ in US on nuclear talks

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi has said he would not meet with US President Joe Biden in New York this week.