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Politics & Security

Tump

Can Trump turn midterm defeat into Iran breakthrough?

Although Iran may have contributed to Republican losses in midterms, the Trump administration still has a historic opportunity in the Middle East.

Manon Roca / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon files charges against 2 Hezbollah members as UNIFIL prepares to withdraw

The move comes amid growing security concerns in the south less than two months before the UNIFIL mandate expires.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses Turkish members of parliament during the opening of the parliamentary session at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in Ankara, on Oct. 1, 2026.

Turkey’s parliament ratifies Mecca pact in boost to Saudi Arabia

Turkey will now decide the scope of military support for Saudi Arabia amid ongoing Iran-backed Houthi attacks on the kingdom.

Tomer Neuberg / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Explainer

Arab parties' backing gives Eisenkot edge over Netanyahu for PM: What to know

With 67 Knesset members backing his candidacy, Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot could win the mandate to form the next government.

Latest News

Massie renews Hegseth impeachment push as GOP blames Iran war for midterm losses

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testifies during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, on July 21, 2026, in Washington.

Jared Szuba

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

Can Erdogan’s Baku visit fix Turkey-Azerbaijan rift?

TOFIK BABAYEV/AFP via Getty Images

Russia to provide Iran with 90 missile launchers as military ties grow: Reports

Russian Mil Mi-8 military helicopters fly over a joint Russian and Turkish convoy, northeastern Hasakeh province, Syria, Feb. 4, 2021.

Turkey says soldier killed by gunfire from Iran at border: What to know

A sign marking the border of Turkey in Van, Turkey, on March 14, 2026.

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

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.

Smoke rises after a reported Israeli strike on a building used by Islamic Republic of Iran News Network, part of Iran's state TV broadcaster, Tehran, Iran, June 16, 2025.

Israel expands Iran strikes, hits Fordow nuclear site, Evin prison: What to know

Israel said Monday it targeted the entrance of Evin Prison in Tehran, where many opponents of the Iranian government are held.

Fatih Altayli

Turkey jails journalist Fatih Altayli for allegedly threatening Erdogan

Fatih Altayli, one of Turkey’s most popular journalists, was arrested over allegedly threatening Erdogan, sparking outrage from media groups.