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Politics & Security

A flare fired by the Israeli military lands over the highlands of the area of Ali al-Taher as seen from nearby Marjayoun (Marjeyoun) in southern Lebanon on June 14, 2026.

Why Ali al-Taher ridge is emerging as an Israel-Hezbollah flashpoint

Israel has intensified its strikes and ground operations around the strategic hill in a bid to force Hezbollah out.

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."

Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

After gun found in lake, French police probe link to 2012 Iraqi family murder

A recently discovered Luger pistol may have been used in the mysterious 2012 killing of the al-Hilli family near the Alpine town of Chevaline in eastern France.

A women stands overlooking the water as ships are seen anchored in the Strait of Hormuz on Aug. 10, 2026, off the coast of Bandar Abbas, Iran.

US expands Iran campaign with strikes on oil tankers

Airstrikes on Iranian oil tankers mark a subtle tactical pivot after months of periodic bombardment targeting IRGC military infrastructure failed to shut down the IRGC’s attacks in Hormuz.

Latest News

Iran vows continued military action amid renewed hostilities with US

In this picture obtained by AFP from the Iranian news agency Tasnim on September 2, 2026 a destroyed vehicle is pictured at the site of an overnight strike in Kuhestak, Sirik County, in Iran's southern Hormozgan province on September 2, 2026. Iranian forces said on September 2 that they launched attacks on US military targets in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and other countries in the region, vowing "severe" consequences for renewed American attacks on the Islamic republic. (Photo by Masoud Moha

Xi makes first Egypt visit in decade as Cairo gets caught in US-China AI row

Vehicles drive beneath a large screen displaying portraits of Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (R) and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Cairo on Aug. 31, 2026.

Fresh fighting in Syria's Suwayda leaves one dead: What to know

Tribal and Bedouin fighters deploy in the western neighborhood of southern Syria's predominantly Druze city of Suwayda amid clashes with Druze gunmen on July 19, 2025.

US airstrikes target Iran's Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island

ISNA / 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

Pashinyan and Erdogan

Analysis

Why peace with Turkey has come to mean survival for Armenia’s Pashinyan

As Yerevan edges closer to the West, regional power struggles and domestic unrest threaten to derail the Armenian leader’s strategy.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Infographic with satellite image from Planet Labs PBC from June 22, 2025, showing visible damages from US strike on the Natanz uranium enrichment plant in Iran.

Pentagon: B-2 strikes set back Iran's nuclear program 1-2 years

Operation Midnight Hammer led to the "total obliteration of Iran's nuclear ambitions," a Pentagon spokesperson said. Iranian officials have told Al-Monitor they intend to continue to enrich uranium domestically.

Jared Szuba

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

Islamist protesters clash with Turkish anti-riot police officers as they gather to protests LeMan cartoon magazine in Istanbul on June 30, 2025.

Turkey jails satirical magazine staff over alleged Prophet Muhammad cartoon

Four staff members of the satirical weekly LeMan were arrested and charged with “publicly insulting religious values” amid protests against the image and government crackdown on the magazine’s social media accounts.

Iran's ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Reza Najafi arrives to an extraordinary IAEA's Board of Governors meeting at the agency's headquarters in Vienna, Austria on June 23, 2025. (Photo by Joe Klamar / AFP) (Photo by JOE KLAMAR/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Limiting inspectors or bargaining chip: Why Iran suspended IAEA cooperation

Iran’s latest move raises doubts about the oversight of its nuclear program and could mean a shift away from the nonproliferation framework it has long been bound to.

By Rosaleen Carroll

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

An Iraqi boy catches fish in the Tigris River in central Baghdad as the sun sets, on April 15, 2025.

Turkey gives drought-stricken Iraq more water in boost to PM Sudani

The agreement is expected to ease tensions and advance a joint infrastructure project linking Iraq’s Faw port to Turkey.

IDF Military Drone Unit seen training with drones near Kibbutz Merom Golan, on the Syrian border in northern Golan Heights, Israel on June 26, 2025.

Israel announces capture of 'Iranian cell' in Syria: What to know

The operation comes amid potential progress in Israel-Syria normalization talks.

Cautious optimism around Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal but hurdles remain

The latest Qatari outline is based on a previous US proposal and has Israel somewhat hopeful for a deal with Hamas.

President Donald Trump answers questions during a press conference on recent Supreme Court rulings in the briefing room at the White House on June 27, 2025, in Washington.

Trump eyes Gaza ceasefire 'next week' as pressure on Netanyahu builds

President Donald Trump said he would be “very firm” with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the need for a ceasefire.