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

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Politics & Security

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Analysis

As US-Iran fighting resumes, Israel weighs 3 options with restraint winning, for now

Despite Israel's military readiness to resume strikes on Iran, officials say looming elections make Netanyahu more likely to stay out unless Tehran forces his hand.

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

Lebanese PM Salam in Turkey as Erdogan seeks wider regional role

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s visit to Turkey comes after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently warned that Israeli attacks against Lebanon and Syria threaten Turkey’s security.

US President Donald Trump walks to board Air Force One as he departs Bismarck Municipal Airport on July 01, 2026 in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Israel warns US of new Iran plot to assassinate Trump: What to know

US officials are reportedly still assessing the Israeli intelligence.

Latest News

In first, Russia confirms S-400 talks with Turkey amid transfer reports to acquire F-35

AFP via Getty Images

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

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.

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

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.

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 Secretary of State Antony Blinken holds a news conference at the State Department Harry S. Truman headquarters on March 13, 2024, in Washington, DC.

Israel should ease 'unnecessary restrictions' on key Gaza goods, Blinken says

The top US diplomat acknowledged Israeli concerns about "dual-use" items ending up the hands of Hamas, but said "greater clarity" is needed for humanitarian groups whose work is hindered by "unnecessary restrictions."

Local dignitaries including Hackney MP Diane Abbott and Rabbi Herschel Gluck pose for a photograph in front of a Menorah that has been lit outside Hackney Town Hall to mark the arrival of Hanukkah on Dec. 7, 2023 in London, England.

Record wave of antisemitic attacks leaves Britain’s Jews on edge

In the wake of Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault on Israel, there has been a record number of anti-Semitic attacks targeting Britain’s estimated 271,000 Jews.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman , Jack Dutton

A Palestinian man walks through the rubble of a destroyed building due to Israeli bombardment in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on the second day of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan on March 12, 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the militant group Hamas.

Will Biden offer Netanyahu off-ramp to Rafah invasion?

While President Joe Biden said an Israeli military push into Rafah without a plan to protect civilians is a "red line," he implied he would not restrict military aid to Israel if its leaders launch such an operation.

Turkey’s Defense Minister Yasar Guler, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Ibrahim Kalin, head of the Turkish National Intelligence Agency, met in Ankara on March 11, 2024.

Three top Turkey officials to visit Iraq as Erdogan threatens Kurdish militants

The officials’ visit signals a fresh drive to dial up pressure on the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, which Ankara accuses of collaborating with Kurdish militants.

Firefighters douse a burning car after it was hit in an Israeli strike in Lebanon's southern area of Tyre on March 13, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border tensions as fighting continues between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli strike kills Hamas official in south Lebanon

As the border escalation between Hezbollah and Israel flares, another Hamas figure has been killed in an Israeli drone strike in south Lebanon.

Mother and son boarding to the plane before their Egypt flight.

Uproar in Turkey as mother, son flee to US after fatal hit-and-run

Turkey seeks the pair’s extradition from the United States amid public fury.

Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard boats attack a naval vessel during a three-day military drill in the Gulf on April 22, 2010.

Iran, Russia, China conduct new military drills, defying Western pressure

The exercise brought together the three countries' lead warships for the stated purpose of bolstering maritime security, while Tehran-backed Yemeni rebels continued to target international navigation in the wake of the Gaza war.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, (D-MD) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) participate in a press conference on Capitol Hill presenting the No War Against Iran Act on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020 in Washington, DC.

Senators to Biden: Curtail arms to Israel unless Gaza aid expanded

A group of Democratic senators said Israel's restrictions on humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip could violate foreign assistance law.

Tripoli

Switzerland charges Rifaat Assad with war crimes in Syria’s Hama massacre

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's brother, Rifaat al-Assad, has also been convicted of financial crimes in France.

AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon on edge: Hezbollah fires 100 rockets as Israel hits Baalbek

Israeli airstrikes pounded Lebanon’s northeast city of Baalbek after Hezbollah fired 100 rockets in Israel in the heaviest exchange of fire since October.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (back L) greets US President Joe Biden upon his arrival at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport on October 18, 2023, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. Biden landed in Israel on October 18, on a solidarity visit following Hamas attacks that have led to major Israeli reprisals. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

As rift grows, can Biden ditch Netanyahu and keep Israel's support?

As the rift between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deepens, White House advisers are considering a speech by the American leader at the Knesset, addressing Israelis directly.

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

The Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Laramie (T-AO 203) and the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) conduct a replenishment-at-sea.

US Navy plans for smaller fleet amid spending caps despite Middle East crisis

Facing budget caps and new procurement delays, the Navy is poised to reduce the overall size of its fleet even as attacks by Iran and its proxies in Yemen have led to unprecedented disruptions of commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

Washington Pulse