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Politics & Security

Patriot

Exclusive

US nears full withdrawal from Iraq as bases in Kurdistan Region face attacks from Iran, proxies

Patriot air-defense systems that detect and shoot down incoming missiles and drones have already been removed, sources told Al-Monitor.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

A demonstrator carries a CHP flag during a protest in Izmir, Turkey, on May 24, 2026.

Explainer

What’s behind Turkey’s latest wave of arrests against opposition mayors?

The operations come as Ozgur Ozel’s newly formed party gains momentum.

A woman stands next to Iranian-made Zolfaghar missiles displayed at Azadi Square in Tehran on July 24, 2026.

Iran’s new calculus: Strike first, talk later

An increasingly emboldened Tehran has put President Donald Trump in a bind.

Latest News

Turkey, Pakistan among 14 countries backing Saudi Arabia's anti-Houthi Red Sea alliance

A Saudi navy ship is pictured docked at King Faisal navy base in Jeddah before the departure of a team to Port Sudan to help with the evacuation efforts of people fleeing Sudan, on April 29, 2023.

Turkey ready to participate in post-UNIFIL force in Lebanon, Erdogan tells Aoun

Erdogan and Aoun

Houthis deny responsibility for drone attack hitting Egypt's Damietta Port

A ship transits the Suez Canal towards the Red Sea on Jan. 10, 2024 in Ismailia, Egypt.

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 says nuclear talks not suspended

Though progress has been halted for weeks, Iran says the talks with the United States have not been suspended.

Opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) MPs Ali Seker (CR), Ozgulr Ozel (C) and Sezgin Tanrikulu (CL) speak to the press.

Turkish court jails philanthropist Osman Kavala for life in widely condemned trial

After more than four years behind bars, Osman Kavala was sentenced in a case that rights groups and the opposition call a travesty of justice.

SAID KHATIB/AFP via Getty Images

Rockets launched at Israel from Lebanon, Gaza

One rocket was fired from Lebanon yesterday and two rockets were fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip Friday night.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Arab-Israelis call for calm at Al-Aqsa Mosque

As tensions persist in Jerusalem, Israeli Arabs feel that Israeli Jews do not fully grasp the importance of Al-Aqsa to them — both religiously and identity-wise.

JAVED TANVEER/AFP via Getty Images

US watchdog says Afghanistan belongs on religious freedom blacklist

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom also recommended the State Department designate Syria as a "country of particular concern" and place Egypt, Iraq and Turkey on a special watchlist for religious freedom offenders.

Afghanistan mosque

Islamic State announces 'revenge' attacks during Ramadan

Iraq has stepped up security amid an IS campaign called 'Battle of Revenge for the Two Sheikhs' that killed dozens in several countries in the first few days.

MOHAMED EL-SHAHED/AFP via Getty Images

Egyptian Christians alarmed by murder of Alexandria priest

The recent stabbing death of a priest in the northern coastal city of Alexandria has spread fear among Christians.

Syrians coming from Turkey go through the Bab al-Salame crossing in the border town of Azaz in the rebel-held north of Aleppo province, to spend the last days of Ramadan and the Eid al-Fitr holiday early next month with family, Syria, April 18, 2022.

Smuggling across Syrian-Turkish border grows despite risks

Illegal border entries lead to arrests, deportations and even death.

Tunisians raise national flags as they take to the streets of the capital to protest against their president, Tunis, Tunisia, April 10, 2022.

Political crisis in Tunisia reflected in the streets

The battle for power between Tunisian President Kais Saied and the parliament headed by Rashid Ghannouchi is escalating and has moved to the street.

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images

Anti-Iran fever heats up as Iraq's political deadlock continues

As Iran-backed groups block the formation of Iraq's next government, frustrated voices are getting louder about Iran's meddling.

Jordan protest

Analysis

Hamas mulls opportunities, risks in Jerusalem violence

Egyptian mediation again in spotlight to prevent a repeat of Israel-Hamas war.

Week in Review

By Week in Review

A picture taken on April 19, 2022 shows smoke billowing from behind the mountains of Matin (Jabal Matin) in the town of Chiladze following a Turkish offensive targeting rebels in the northern Iraqi Kurdish autonomous region.

Turkey steps up attacks on Syria’s Kurds amid Iraq operation

Ankara is using the cover of Ukraine’s war to weaken the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and associated groups in the region.