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Politics & Security

Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud speaks during the launch of an offshore energy exploration at the port in Mogadishu on April 10, 2026.

Turkish jets strike al-Shabab targets in Somalia: What to know

A Somali Defense Ministry statement initially said Turkish F-16s carried out strikes on Al-Shabab targets before a later version referred only to “international partners.”

Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

Who is Melat Kiros, the pro-Palestinian who unseated a longtime Democrat?

Kiros has taken a hard stance against Israel and opposes all aid to the country as pro-Palestinian candidates make further inroads in the party.

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Explainer

Turkey eases job rules for 1M+ Syrians under temporary protection: What to know

Syrian textile employees work in a textile workshop in Gaziantep, Turkey, on Jan. 30, 2025.

Syria announces Sharaa's parliamentary appointees, SDF Kurds sidelined

Al Sharaa

Analysis

Why Iran's Pezeshkian is facing an uphill battle in postwar diplomacy

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian listens during a joint press conference alongside Armenia's Prime Minister in Yerevan on August 19, 2025.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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

US President Donald Trump arrives for a social dinner at the 'Huis ten Bosch' Royal Palace during a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Heads of State and Government summit in The Hague, on June 24, 2025. NATO leaders hold a two-day summit on June 24 and 25 in The Hague. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP) (Photo by JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Trump’s Iran gambit leaves door open for nuclear talks

With a ceasefire in place, can the United States and Iran finally come to terms on the Iranian nuclear program?

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

An Iranian man holds a portrait of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as people celebrate a ceasefire between Iran and Israel at Enghlab Square in the capital Tehran on June 24, 2025.

Analysis

Iran celebrates 'victory' over Israel, but what comes next for regime?

Though claiming triumph over Israel, Iran is emerging from a war that has left its nuclear program damaged, its air defenses exposed and its leadership facing deep uncertainties about the future of its decades-long hostilities against Israel.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Iraqi Air Force helicopters perform during Army Day celebrations, marking the 104th anniversary of the founding of the Iraqi army, at the Camp Taji military base north Baghdad, on January 6, 2025. The Iraqi armed forces were established by the United Kingdom during their mandate over Iraq after World War I. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP) (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images)

Iraq orders investigation after attacks on Taji, Imam Ali bases: What to know

The attacks were carried out with "several small suicide drones" and began hours after Iran targeted a US military base in Qatar.

https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/06/global-airlines-suspend-middle-east-flights-iran-israel-truce-frays

WHO condemns Sudan hospital attack that killed 40 people: What to know

The World Health Organization's chief denounced this weekend's attack on a hospital in Sudan’s West Kordofan state.

AFP via Getty Images

Turkey's Fidan holds call with China FM as Iran-Israel ceasefire reached

The two top diplomats also discussed bilateral ties as well as the situation in Gaza.

TIRANA, ALBANIA - MAY 16: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrive at the 6th European Political Community summit on May 16, 2025 at Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, Albania. The EPC brings together heads of state and government from the 27 European Union countries and 20 others. The items on today's agenda are security and democratic resilience, competitiveness and economic security, and mobility challenges and youth empowerment. (Photo by Armando Babani/Getty Images)

Analysis

How Turkey's Erdogan navigated Trump ties and instability risks from Israel-Iran war

Turkey walked a fine line between mediator and militarizer as the Iran-Israel conflict exposes both regional threats and strategic openings.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Smoke rises as Israel targets the notorious Evin Prison in north of Tehran, Iran, on June 23, 2025.

Iran empties Evin prison, reports fatalities after Israeli strike

Iran says it relocated inmates after the strike, while Trump blames both sides for breaking the truce.

US President Donald Trump speaks to the press before boarding Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC on June 24, 2025, to attend the NATO's Heads of State and Government summit in The Hague. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump 'not happy' with Israel, Iran as ceasefire violated

Following an angry reaction from Trump, Israel scaled back planned strikes in Iran in retaliation for what it said were Iranian missile launches after a ceasefire began last night.

In this frame grab taken from a video, missiles and air-defense interceptors illuminate the night sky over Doha after Iran launched an attack on US forces at Al Udeid Air Base on June 23, 2025, in Doha, Qatar.

Trump announces Iran-Israel ceasefire as IRGC targets Qatar's Al-Udeid

The US president announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israe would start Tuesday 6:02 p.m. EST (1:02 a.m. Tel Aviv; 1:32 a.m. Tehran Wednesday) after 11 days of fighting.

Members of the Petroleum Oils and Lubricants squadron at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing take a break from replacing a 50,000-gallon fuel bladder in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, on Dec. 30, 2002, in Al Udeid, Qatar.

No initial US casualties in Iran’s strike on US base in Qatar: Pentagon

Limited Iranian retaliation at the partially evacuated air base could leave off-ramp for political leaders on both sides.

People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dweila area on June 22, 2025.

Syria church bombing raises fears ISIS will exploit Iran-Israel war to gain ground

As the Iran-Israel war draws in global powers, security vacuums in Syria may be allowing ISIS to reemerge.

Smoke rises as fire burns, in an alleged site of IRGC's missile launch targeted by Israel on the mountains of Shiraz, Iran, June 21, 2025.

From Qom to Gilan, over 500 arrested in Iran as war with Israel continues

Iranian authorities have launched a wave of arrests against individuals suspected of working for Israeli intelligence, with dozens detained across Iran since the Iran-Israel war broke out on June 13.