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Politics & Security

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese area of al-Hosh, near the coastal city of Tyre on May 16, 2026.

Lebanon-Israel talks at Pentagon undercut by escalation: What to know

The Lebanese army is expected to press for the full implementation of the ceasefire with Israel during military-level talks at the Pentagon, to allow it to carry out its plan to disarm Hezbollah.

Ibrahim AMRO / AFP via Getty Images

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.

Latest News

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

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.

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

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

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.

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Russian war delays major industrial zone in Egypt

A Russian industrial zone in Egypt faces setbacks due to Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Demonstrators gather to protest outside the Israeli Knesset.

Israeli citizenship law blocks Palestinian family reunification

Israel’s Knesset approved a controversial law barring Palestinians' family reunification, furthering the suffering of many Palestinians married to Arabs in Israel.

This picture taken during a government-guided tour shows police officers standing at the gate of Al-Qanatir women's prison, Qalyoubiya province, Egypt, Dec. 27, 2020.

Egyptian council holds first ever meeting with human rights, civil society leaders

For the first time, Egypt’s state National Council for Human Rights met with independent human rights organizations, which have long been accused by the government of colluding with Western parties.

captagon

Saudi authorities find Captagon in Jeddah, hash in Mecca

Saudi authorities have seized Captagon shipments on numerous occasions in recent months.

WOJTEK RADWANSKI/AFP via Getty Images

African Union demands protection for Africans fleeing Ukraine war

The African Union has expressed concern for the "shocking racist treatment" of Africans fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Michael White Iran

Analysis

US Navy veteran detained by Iran sues over alleged torture

Michael White, who was imprisoned by Iran for nearly two years, spoke to Al-Monitor about his newly filed federal lawsuit against Tehran.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Erdogan

Analysis

Russia-Ukraine war recasts Turkish policies and priorities

Erdogan sees opportunity in Ukraine crisis, including enhanced global role and dramatic reset in ties with Israel, as he weighs next steps in Libya and elections next year.

Week in Review

By Week in Review

TSAFRIR ABAYOV/AFP via Getty Images

Israel calls on US not to delist IRGC as terror group

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid appealed directly to Washington in a statement, listing the connections between Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and terrorism.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

How Turkey’s election bill could backfire on Erdogan’s ruling party

An upcoming change to Turkey's election law could boomerang and hurt Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling party.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) welcomes Israel's President Isaac Herzog (R).

Israel-Turkey rapprochement complicates Ukraine mediation efforts

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seem to be competing for a mediator role between Russia and Ukraine, but are they?

Matan Kahana

Israel’s minister of religious affairs appoints women as latest reform

Minister of Religious Affairs Matan Kahana's appointment of women, as well as changes to kosher supervision and to conversion law, have drawn the enmity of the ultra-Orthodox community.