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September 5, 2026

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Amir Yaryab

Who is Amir Yaryab, IRGC’s cyber commander in US crosshairs?

The US State Department has offered up to $10 million for information on Amir Yaryab, who oversees a key part of Iran’s cyber operations.

Ammar Ammar / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Playing for time: Despite US pressure, Israel stalls Lebanon talks until after election

Ahead of the eighth round of talks in Rome, the Israeli military reported clearing Hezbollah's underground stronghold at Ali al-Taher after besieging the ridge for months.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Anwar AMRO / AFP via Getty Images

Israel to release 5 Lebanese prisoners ahead of next talks: What to know

Israel said the detainees are "civilians who are not members of a terrorist organization" and "were not involved in terrorism," concluding, "There is no reason to continue holding them in Israel."

ISNA / AFP via Getty Images

US airstrikes target Iran's Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island

American military forces launched their first strikes on the Iranian mainland in more than a month just days after the top US commander for the region said Iranian mines have been cleared from Hormuz shipping lanes.

Latest News

Analysis

Israel favors status quo as tensions in Iran's leadership fuel escalation risk

missile

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Pentagon inks 7-year missile-production deal amid Iran war shortage

CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel’s Lebanon dilemma: Confront Hezbollah without angering Trump, triggering Iran

Ammar Ammar / AFP via Getty Images

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Analysis

How Iran is readying for economic protests as Trump escalates pressure

Demonstrations in Tehran, Iran

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

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

Joyce Karam

Editor-in-Chief

Rosaleen Carroll

News Reporter and Supporting Editor

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Paul J. Saunders

In Washington, DC, reporting on Russia in the Middle East

Iraqi demonstrators are seen near Iraqi security forces during ongoing anti-government protests, in Baghdad, Iraq November 25, 2019. REUTERS/Khalid al-Mousily - RC2GID9PZRKP

Iraqi government responds to protests by digging in

After nearly two months of protests in Iraq, the government is using excessive force on demonstrators and not giving in to their demands.

People walk near a burnt bank, after protests against increased fuel prices, in Tehran, Iran November 20, 2019. Picture taken November 20, 2019. Nazanin Tabatabaee/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY - RC2GGD9E7BEK

How Iran's protests could impact foreign policy

Critical comments from France and Germany about the Iranian protests could further accelerate the dismantling of the Iran nuclear deal.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo shake hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during their visit at Netanyahu's official residence in Jerusalem March 21, 2019. REUTERS/Jim Young/Pool - RC1CDE43DCA0

Pompeo’s gift to Netanyahu might bring about new Israeli annexation

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s legitimization of Israeli settlements is seen as giving a green light to Israel’s prime minister to annex the Jordan Valley if a government is formed.

Pompeo reinforces Netanyahu’s occupation policies

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's recent statement on the West Bank settlements reinforces the occupation policy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and distances any chance for peace.

Russian and Syrian national flags are pictured near the northern Syrian village of Zor Magar, as seen from the Turkish border town of Karkamis in Gaziantep province, Turkey, October 23, 2019. REUTERS/Huseyin Aldemir - RC15D8F01E00

Russia faces dilemmas in northeastern Syria

While it has added some fortifications, Moscow is challenged with new political and military uncertainty over Syria's northeast.

Saudi and Israeli tourism campaigns offer stark contrast in transparency

Public relations firms working to promote travel to foreign countries are all over the map when it comes to lobbying and PR disclosures.

Members of the media work as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walks after holding a weekly cabinet meeting in the Jordan Valley, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank September 15, 2019. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC1DC97D0610

Is Jordan Valley's annexation already on the way?

As Israel gears up for what could be the third round of elections in less than a year, a bill presented earlier in the month to annex the Jordan Valley has taken on a new urgency in light of the US announcement that it no longer views the settlements as illegal.

Iraq on display

Iraqis are rising up against their corrupt government, but how can these revolutionary protests lead to lasting change?

A missile made by Revolutionary Guard is mounted on a Chinese helicopter during the 6th exhibition of aviation industry in Tehran, Iran, November 25, 2015. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/TIMA ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. - GF20000073553

Report: Iran likely to buy Russian and Chinese arms

Tehran will likely look to Russia and China to purchase advanced weapons when a UN arms embargo against the country expires next year, a senior defense intelligence official said Nov. 19.

U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) speaks flanked by Rep Eliot Engel (L) (D-NY) and other Democratic members of Congress as they call on Senate Republicans to take up gun violence legislation already passed by the House requiring background checks on all firearm sales at an event on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. August 13, 2019. REUTERS/Leah Millis - RC1CE886F320

Democrats plan legislative response to Trump’s new Israeli settlement policy

House Democratic leaders vow to vote on a resolution backing a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict after the Donald Trump administration’s new settlement policy.

Workers unload artillery, part of a military donation from the U.S. government to the Lebanese army, during a ceremony at Beirut's port February 8, 2015. More than 70 M198 Howitzers, as well as 26 million rounds of ammunition including small, medium, and heavy artillery rounds, were delivered on Sunday from the United States as military aid to the Lebanese army. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) - GM1EB281REZ01

Trump blows off Congress inquiry on Lebanon aid freeze

The White House has missed a deadline to justify freezing $105 million in military aid to Lebanon, two congressional aides told Al-Monitor.

Rep. Elissa Slotkin praises Iraq protests, warns against Iran missiles at Al-Monitor breakfast

Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., discussed Iraq and Syria at Al-Monitor’s Middle East Mornings breakfast.