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

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Politics & Security

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Israel strikes Lebanon's capital Beirut for first time in 3 weeks: What to know

According to Israeli media, Ali al-Husseini, the commander of the missile unit in the Imam Hussein Division, a brigade affiliated with Iran’s Quds Force that operates alongside Hezbollah, was the target of the attack.

Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi (L) and US President Donald Trump pose during a summit on Gaza in Sharm el-Sheikh on October 13, 2025.

Trump threatens to 'blow up' Oman as US-Iran talks stall

“Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we will have to blow them up,” Trump said in surprising comments on Wednesday.

Latest News

With Hungary’s ICC U-turn, Israel loses a key European ally

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, (R) shakes hands with Viktor Orban, Hungary's prime minister, during a news conference on April 3, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.

Iraq’s Sadr moves to place his militia under state control: What to know

Iraqis walk past portraits of Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, including one on a banner calling for a boycott of the upcoming parliamentary elections in Sadr City, east of Baghdad on October 29, 2025. Parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held in Iraq on 11 November 2025, which will determine the 329 members of Iraq's Council of Representatives, who are responsible for electing the country's president and approving the appointment of the prime minister. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP) (Photo by

Who was Mohammed Odeh, Hamas military commander killed by Israel in Gaza?

Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP via Getty Images

White House calls Iranian report on Hormuz, MOU 'complete fabrication'

Vessels are seen anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, off the port city of Khasab on Oman's northern Musandam Peninsula on May 17, 2026.

Jared Szuba

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

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

Workers are seen at the site of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in Guba, Ethiopia, Feb. 19, 2022.

Egypt deepens military ties with Sudan as Ethiopia moves forward with Nile dam

Egypt and Sudan continue to build on their military relations amid rising tensions with Ethiopia with the approaching third filling phase of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam despite the negotiations halt.

Walid Khweilid, surrounded by bodyguards.

Syrians outraged by luxurious lifestyle of Turkish-backed rebel leaders

Videos of Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army leaders and members showing off their luxurious lifestyle have sparked controversy in the opposition-held areas in northwestern Syria, where inhabitants live in poverty.

Palestinians walk along a demolished road leading to the Palestinian village of al-Walaja south of Jerusalem, Jan. 11, 2004.

Democratic lawmakers urge Blinken to press Israel on demolition plans

Fifty members of Congress called attention to the looming displacement of 38 families and the potential demolition of their homes in the Palestinian village of al-Walaja.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on March 20, 2013.

In Nowruz address, Khamenei says production ‘key’ to solving Iran's economic problems

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that domestic production would resolve the country’s economic problems.

People walk past the Caglayan Justice Palace courthouse in Istanbul on March 21, 2022.

Turkish court keeps philanthropist in prison ahead of final verdict in April

Renowned philanthropist and peace advocate Osman Kavala's detention is extended after his case was adjourned.

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Death of influential rabbi marks turning point for Israeli ultra-Orthodox

Both ultra-Orthodox and secular Israelis were drawn to Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, whose Torah scholarship brought him influence he never sought.

Demonstrators gather to watch Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's speech to the Knesset during a live broadcast at Habima Square, Tel Aviv, Israel, March 20, 2022.

Israelis taken aback by Zelenskyy’s use of Holocaust-victim rhetoric

Israeli politicians criticize ongoing use by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and by other Ukrainian leaders of Holocaust terminology, and of them comparing the war to the persecution of Jews by the Nazi regime.

Palestine elections

Palestinian female candidates struggle to change political, social attitudes

Despite efforts to encourage women to both vote and run in local elections in the West Bank, candidates say much work remains to be done.

Demonstrators gather to watch Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's speech to the Knesset, broadcast at Habima Square, Tel Aviv, Israel, March 20, 2022.

Zelenskyy evokes Holocaust, asks Knesset for weapons, sanctions

In a scathing video-screened speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy likened the war in his country to World War II and to the Nazi persecution, asking Israel to help Ukraine with weapons and with immediate economic sanctions against Russia.

Commander of US Central Command Gen. Kenneth McKenzie arrives to testify during a Senate Armed Services hearing on Capitol Hill, Washington, March 15, 2022.

Russia not sending Syrians to Ukraine just yet, top US general says

US CENTCOM has seen no sign of widespread recruitment of Syrians to fight in Ukraine.

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir (2nd R) walks with Sudan's Sovereign Council Chief Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (2nd L).

Sudan’s military leader turns to UAE to shore up authority

Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan made his first official visit to Abu Dhabi mainly a search for economic assistance, but the dubious outcome of his trip has sparked controversy at home.

Routes to Palmyra-Deir ez-Zor and Damascus-Iraq.

Islamic State takes advantage of Ukraine war to increase attacks

The Islamic State has recently intensified its activity against the Syrian government forces and its allies, setting up a number of ambushes in the Syrian desert and killing dozens.