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Politics & Security

Palestinian Hamas militants arrive to secure the area as Egyptian workers accompanied by members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), search for the last two remaining bodies of hostages -an Israeli soldier and a Thai national- from under the rubble of the Jabalia refugee camp, in the northern of Gaza Strip on Dec. 1, 2025.

Analysis

How Hamas disarmament deal may test Iran's regional strategy

A possible Hamas decision to disarm would represent more than a Gaza development, testing Iran's decades-old strategy of projecting power through regional allies.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Mourners carry one of the bodies of members of Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi, or Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) who were killed earlier in Diyala in central Iraq by US-Saudi strikes, during the funeral in Baghdad on July 29, 2026. The US-Saudi strikes killed at least 20 militants, including Iranians, according to the Hashed al-Shaabi. The US and Saudi Arabia said the strikes were in response to attacks on US forces and Saudi oil facilities. (Photo by murtadha ridha / AFP via Getty Images) /

Analysis

Renewed Iraq attacks test Zaidi’s push to disarm Iran-backed militias

An attempt by Iraqi government forces to seize weapons belonging to an Iranian-backed faction encountered resistance, raising questions about Prime Minister Ali Zaidi’s pledge to disarm militias by Sept. 30.

Mustafa Salim

By Mustafa Salim

Fighters lift flags of Iraq and paramilitary groups, including al-Nujaba and Kataib Hezbollah, during a funeral in Baghdad for five militants killed a day earlier in a US strike in northern Iraq, on Dec. 4, 2023.

Analysis

Iran-linked militias seek to draw Iraq into regional war

“Iran’s logic is the logic of war,” a Gulf regional official tells Al-Monitor.

Week in Review

By Week in Review

Latest News

Explainer

Estimated 60,000 migrants cross from Morocco into Spanish territory: What we know

Ceuta

Analysis

No Iran commitment, no Trump endorsement: Netanyahu leaves US empty-handed

US President Donald Trump walks to board Marine One on the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, DC, on July 31, 2026. President Trump is traveling to Camp David in Maryland to hold a cabinet meeting and later to Bedminster, New Jersey to spend the weekend at his golf club. (Photo by Oliver Contreras / 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

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.

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.