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

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Politics & Security

Ahmed al-Alwani in an undated photo

Ex-Iraqi MP Ahmed Alwani found dead in Lebanon: What to know

Ahmed al-Alwani was a prominent leader of anti-government protests by Iraqi Sunnis in 2013, and was released from prison last year.

Iranian-made Zolfaghar missiles

Iran unveils new underground 'missile city': What to know

Iran has moved much of its missile stockpile underground as the threat of a new war looms.

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.

Latest News

Hegseth strikes defiant tone, calls House impeachment process 'farce'

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Jared Szuba

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

Explainer

From Oct. 7 inquiry to blocking Netanyahu: Eisenkot's bloc maps out Knesset agenda

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) casts his ballot, next to his wife Sara

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

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

ABDULAZIZ KETAZ/AFP via Getty Images

US drone strike kills al-Qaeda affiliate in northwest Syria

The rare drone strike in Idlib province was aimed to disrupt Huras al-Din's ability to stage terror attacks outside Syria, according to the Pentagon.

PAUL WHITE/AFP via Getty Images

Israel awaits Biden message on Iran deal amidst political uncertainty

Israel's political landscape will shift dramatically over the next few weeks, as the US president is set to visit.

Israel's Defense Minister Benny Gantz looks on while Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid converses with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett as they are seated in the Knesset chamber after a special session to vote on a new government at the Knesset, Jerusalem, June 13, 2021.

Winners, losers emerge as Israel’s parliament dissolves

Opposition head Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid are the big winners of the decision to dissolve the Knesset, while Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and his ally Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked are the big losers.

AMANUEL SILESHI/AFP via Getty Images

Arab League weighs in on Nile dam dispute

Ahmed Aboul Gheit, secretary general of the Cairo-based League of Arab States, criticized the way the international community has dealt with the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam crisis.

Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa attends the opening ceremony of the International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria at Bayan palace, Kuwait City, Kuwait, Jan. 30, 2013.

Syria-Bahrain ties continue to develop with bilateral talks, arrival of ambassador

Bahrain, like its ally the United Arab Emirates, is working to reestablish good ties with Syria.

High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell gives a press conference in Tehran.

Analysis

Cautious optimism as US, Iran set to resume indirect talks in Qatar

A State Department spokesperson confirmed US Special Envoy Robert Malley will travel to Doha, which will serve as the venue for "indirect discussions."

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Ali Hashem

By Elizabeth Hagedorn , Ali Hashem

AFP via Getty Images

Iran's foreign minister checks in with Ankara as Turkey courts Tehran's foes

Iran's foreign minister is meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara today.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Ultranationalist lawmaker's popularity soars among Israeli ultra-Orthodox

The ultra-Orthodox parties are more concerned about ultranationalist lawmaker Itamar Ben Gvir, who appears to enjoy growing popularity among their voters, than anti-clerical politicians like Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran says nuclear talks to resume within days

On the heels of EU foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell’s visit to Iran, the spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry said that Iran expects the negotiations to resume shortly.

ALI NAJAFI/AFP via Getty Images

Iraqi premier advances regional dialogue in Riyadh, Baghdad

Iran and Saudi Arabia appear ready to resume diplomatic talks following Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi's shuttle diplomacy.

Israeli Foreign Ministry

Negev Summit steering committee hatches plans in Bahrain

After Israel’s Foreign Minister Yair Lapid brought together counterparts from Israel, the United States, the Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Egypt last March, senior officials meet in Bahrain to lay more concrete plans.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Arab political party unprepared for new elections in Israel

If new elections are called this week, the opposition Joint List will be hard pressed to convince its electorate it has its own agenda worth supporting.