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

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Politics & Security

OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

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

Palestinians participate in a rally at the Gaza City seaport to demand their right to receive gas from maritime fields in the eastern Mediterranean and the lifting of the Israeli blockade, Gaza Strip, Sept. 13, 2022.

Hamas claims Palestinian right to offshore Mediterranean gas

Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip may be coordinating with Hezbollah, which could complicate Israel-Lebanon gas talks.

Khuzestan

Iranian oil province suffers from pollution, water scarcity

Oil wealth flows out of Khuzestan, but many observers say the government has held back water and sewer service to the province whose population is nearly 40% Arab.

protests in Iran

Iran cracks down on protesters after death of woman arrested over hijab

Mahsa Amini's death ignited a wave of protests against the government.

khamenei

Iran's supreme leader in public appearance following reports of ill health

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appeared in public today, refuting rumors that he was on his death bed following recent surgery.

Syrians shop in a market in the northern city of Manbij, located near the border with Turkey, Syria, July 21, 2022.

Are Iranian products banned into Syrian opposition-held areas?

The Syrian Islamic Council close to the Syrian opposition issued a fatwa prohibiting the entry of Iranian goods into opposition areas, claiming Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is allowing the spread of the goods in its areas in northwest Syria.

(from L) French President Emmanuel Macron (L), France's ambassador to the USA Philippe Etienne, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire arrive at the French Embassy to the Vatican in Rome on October 29, 2021 ahead of a meeting with US President. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP) (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Exclusive: Iran ‘must cooperate’ on nuclear probe, French envoy says

French Ambassador to the US Philippe Etienne tells Al-Monitor that France has spared no effort to reach an agreement in the nuclear talks.

Week in Review

By Week in Review

ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images

Iran to join Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Iran took a step toward joining in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization at a summit in Uzbekistan this week.

GIL COHEN-MAGEN/AFP via Getty Images

Lapid’s coalition crumbles ahead of Israeli elections

Unlike opposition head Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister Yair Lapid has failed to unite his camp ahead of the November elections.

Shiite Muslim pilgrims march toward Iraq's holy city of Karbala to attend the Arbaeen religious commemoration.

Iran-linked militias claim arrest linked to threats to disrupt religious holiday

Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units have conducted numerous arrests of alleged 'Bathists' in recent days that raise questions about the legitimacy of the arrests and the political reasons behind them.

A torched observation post is seen outside a religious Jewish school following night clashes between Israeli Arabs and Israeli Jews, Lod, Israel, May 11, 2021.

Arab Israelis deplore growing violence, political indifference

The recent killing of an Arab Israeli journalist highlights the depth of the problem of violence and crime within the Israeli Arab community.

Mother (C) of slain Israeli Maj. Bar Falah, killed overnight during operational activity adjacent to the Gilboa crossing, mourns during his funeral, Netanya, Israel, Sept. 14, 2022.

Israel continues West Bank raids

Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Defense Minister Benny Gantz face a tough choice: How to avoid the collapse of the Palestinian Authority, and at the same time prevent terrorist attacks on Israelis.

Lobby of the al-Masa hotel, during an African Ministers of Finance Economy and Environment Meeting for the COP27 climate summit, Cairo.

Egypt to focus on water crises at COP27

Egypt plans to discuss during the COP27 the need to include the water issue in the international action related to climate change.