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

politics and security cover image

Politics & Security

Vyacheslav PROKOFYEV / AFP via Getty Images

Turkey's Erdogan to run for 'final' third term in 2028, adviser says

If Turkey's parliament votes to move the next election up during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s second term, he could constitutionally run for third.

Royal Air Maroc Boeing 787-9 'Dreamliner' aircraft

Israel, Morocco agree to exchange ambassadors, open embassies

The move will mark the first time Morocco and Israel have exchanged ambassadors.

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.

Latest News

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

Sky News

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

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

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

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

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran vows response to US sanctions, ramps up enrichment

In response to new US sanctions, Iran has announced its capability to develop atomic weapons.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli army on alert after arrest of Islamic Jihad senior official

The IDF has reopened some of the roads blocked off near Gaza, but soldiers remain ready for trouble.

Annabelle Chih/Getty Images

Syria, Iran condemn Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan

China is a close ally of both countries but has also made economic inroads recently with US partners in the Middle East.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a protest against the Israeli government, Jerusalem, April 6, 2022.

Netanyahu shapes next Likud Knesset list to his liking

Opposition head Benjamin Netanyahu uses all sorts of means to control the composition of the next Likud Knesset list, so that it does not reflect bad on him and that it does not promote his rivals.

The sign at the entrance to the Russian branch of the Jewish Agency for Israel office is seen in this photo, Moscow, Russia, July 28, 2022.

Is Russia escalating Jewish Agency crisis because of Israel's stance on Ukraine?

Some Israeli security and diplomatic experts believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin instigated the Jewish Agency crisis to pressure Israel against selling natural gas to Europe.

Two Israeli warplanes fly over the southern Lebanese village of al-Tiri.

Israeli warplanes become every day reality for Lebanese

Research based on complaints to the UN Security Council reveals an intrusive and constant Israeli presence over Lebanese airspace, with consequences for public health.

A grab taken from a video produced by al-Qaeda-linked media group as-Sahab and broadcast by the Qatar-based satellite channel Al-Jazeera 11 September 2006 shows the number two in al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri, speaking in an undisclosed date and place.

US kills al-Qaeda leader al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan

The Biden administration sees Zawahiri's presence in Kabul as "a clear violation" of the 2020 Doha agreement with the Taliban, a senior US official said.

Jared Szuba

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

Bulk carrier M/V Razoni, carrying a cargo of 26,000 tonnes of corn, leaves the Ukraine port of Odesa en route to Tripoli.

Turkey reaps rewards in international standing as first grain ship leaves Ukraine

Turkey's diplomatic mediation between Ukraine and Russia could mitigate impact of global food crisis.

Yemeni demonstrators protest demanding the end of a yearslong blockade of the area imposed by the Houthi rebels on the country's third-largest city of Taez, Yemen, July 26, 2022.

Yemeni citizens anxious as truce set to expire

The cease-fire has bestowed a massive relief on millions of Yemeni citizens, who fear a return to conflict.

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (R) attends a press conference with Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (L), at the foreign ministry headquarters in Iran's capital Tehran on June 25, 2022.

Iran nuclear talks in Vienna could resume in days

The EU's policy chief says Iran will receive significant economic and financial dividends from a nuclear deal.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran's oil trade hit with new round of US sanctions

Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned the United States will continue targeting Iran's petroleum exports unless the nuclear agreement is revived.

WAKIL KOHSAR/AFP via Getty Images

Iran-Afghanistan border tensions continue

The Islamic Republic and the Taliban have formed a committee to address violence on the border.