Politics & Security - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

politics and security cover image

Politics & Security

Former Israeli army chief of staff Gadi Eizenkot speaks during the launch of the Yashar party's election campaign in Hod Aharon, in central Israel, on June 30, 2026.

New Israeli election poll puts Eisenkot ahead of Netanyahu: What to know

Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party has now bypassed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud in the polls, cementing his status as Netanyahu’s main opponent.

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey Alparslan Bayraktar speaks during the launch of an offshore energy exploration at the port in Mogadishu on April 10, 2026.

Turkey brokers intra-Somalia talks as federal rifts test Ankara’s influence

Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland and Jubaland states reportedly declined to join the talks, as Ankara is ramping up efforts to shore up support for Somalia’s federal institutions.

Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

Why US strikes on Iran rail bridge signal shift in Hormuz conflict

A US missile strike on the railway bridge linking Iran to Central and East Asia suggests the White House is once again flirting with politically coercive tactics after the June agreement failed to halt Iran's attacks on Hormuz shipping.

Latest News

'Obliterated entire families': Amnesty calls for investigating Israeli strikes in Lebanon as war crimes

FADEL itani / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

As Trump declares deal 'over,' IRGC takes lead in shaping Iran's response

Iranian NOPO special police officers stand guard in front of a large portrait of Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, at Valiasr square on July 3, 2026, in Tehran, Iran.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Trump 'undecided' on Turkey's F-35s as Congress seeks answers on S-400

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

Pascal Sleiman, a Lebanese Forces official, kidnapped in Lebanon on April 7, 2024.

After kidnapping, senior Lebanese Forces official found dead in Syria

The abduction of a local official of the Christian Lebanese Forces party risked causing sectarian strife in Lebanon, which is already reeling under the consequences of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in the south.

An undated image of the Kaan.

The long road ahead for Kaan, Turkey’s nascent fifth-generation fighter jet

Turkey’s aspiring ruler of the skies will need to overcome various challenges before it can truly become a fifth-generation fighter, analysts say.

Iranians attend the funeral of seven Revolutionary Guard Corps members killed in a strike on the country's consular annex in Damascus.

Iran buries officers killed in suspected Israeli strike but seems in no rush to retaliate

Despite the harsh slogans in the state-organized funerals for the slain officers, Iran appeared to be exercising "patience" and calibrating any potential reprisal against Israel.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Abul Gheit, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir attend the 8th Ministerial Meeting of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 10, 2018.

Will China-Arab States Cooperation Forum summit help boost Beijing’s ties with Mideast?

The 10th session of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum is due to be held on May 30 in Beijing — will it result in even stronger China-Arab relations?

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem on Sept. 27, 2023.

Analysis

Despite rift over Gaza, Biden and Netanyahu find common ground on Iran

US president has his "come to Jesus" moment with Bibi, but the threat from Iran may temper United States' conditioning arms assistance.

Week in Review

Andrew Parasiliti

By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti

US President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the collapse of Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on March 26, 2024 in Washington, DC.

Biden vows to defend Israel from Iran's retaliation over Damascus strike

At a funeral in Tehran for IRGC officers killed earlier this week in an Israeli airstrike, IRGC top commander Gen. Hossein Salami reaffirmed Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei’s threat to “punish” Israel.

YASSER QUDIHE/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Israel sacks 2 top IDF officials, citing 'serious failure' in strike on Gaza aid workers

After investigating the incident in which seven workers of the aid organization World Central Kitchen were killed, the Israeli military dismissed two senior officers and sanctioned two others.

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Biden threatens US policy shift on Gaza war as Israel braces for Iranian reprisal

In their conversation over the phone Thursday, President Joe Biden made it clear to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel must do more to protect aid workers and civilians in Gaza or risk a major shift in US policy.

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

A man hands out bags of flour during the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza City on March 17, 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the militant group Hamas.

Israel to reopen Erez crossing for Gaza aid after US pressure

The Israeli measure came after President Joe Biden warned that the US could revise its support if Israel did not protect civilians in Gaza.

A view from a hotel roof top of downtown Mogadishu close to the site of a double truck bombs in early November in Mogadishu on November 10, 2022.

At least two staff of Turkey-based aid group killed in explosion in Somalia

Turkey-based humanitarian organization says it was targeted deliberately.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

IDF scrambles GPS systems in central Israel against potential Iranian reprisal

The Israeli military is apparently behind disturbances to location-based applications in central Israel in an effort to thwart potential airstrikes from Iran and its proxy forces.

BANARAS KHAN/AFP via Getty Images

Separatist group claims attacks killing 11 security forces in southeast Iran

A province in southeast Iran bordering Pakistan is the scene of frequent attacks by Sunni militants seeking independence.