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

politics and security cover image

Politics & Security

Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images

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

In this image grab from an AFPTV video, people watch as a US aircraft carrying food parcels flies above a beach in the Gaza Strip before dropping the humanitarian aid attached to parachutes, on March 2, 2024. Israel's top ally the United States said it began air-dropping aid into war-ravaged Gaza on March 2, as the Hamas-ruled territory's health ministry reported more than a dozen child malnutrition deaths. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Cyprus-Gaza maritime aid corridor to open before Ramadan on Sunday

The EU push to open the corridor in Cyprus coincides with the US announcement that it will build a temporary port off Gaza’s coast to deliver aid.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the site where dozens were killed in crush at a religious festival, Mount Meron, April 30, 2021.

Analysis

Inquiry finds Netanyahu responsible for 2021 festival stampede

The commission said the 45 deaths in Mount Meron could have been avoided.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Palestinians transport bags of flour as humanitarian aid arrives in Gaza City on March 6, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Hamas militant group.

Biden to order military to set up Gaza port via Cyprus for humanitarian aid

The effort will take "a number of weeks to plan and execute," a senior administration official said, as health authorities in Gaza have begun reporting cases of death by starvation.

HASSAN ALI ELMI/AFP via Getty Images

After defense deal, Turkey and Somalia ink energy accord amid Somaliland tensions

Turkey is hailing its new agreement with Somalia as it works to enhance its presence in the Horn of Africa.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh stands next to a portrait of the Palestinian Authority's President Mahmud Abbas during a cabinet meeting in which he announced his government's resignation and called for "new political measures" in Ramallah on Feb. 26, 2024, amid the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.

Internal Palestinian discussions heat up in wake of Moscow meeting

Internal Palestinian discussions are heating up as pressure mounts on Israel and Hamas to produce some sort of truce before the beginning of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Iran refinery

Mystery blast hits oil refinery in Iran’s Bandar Abbas

Iran's latest infrastructure explosion follows others at gas pipelines reportedly caused by Israel, but officials did not immediately specify the cause of the most recent blast.

Amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, a Palestinian journalist uses the mobile phone to broadcast live in Rafah, on the southern Gaza Strip, Dec. 27, 2023.

At least 103 journalists killed in Gaza war, 22 while on the job: RSF

The Israeli offensive in Gaza has left more than 100 Palestinian media workers dead since the war began five months ago.

The container ship, A Daisen, with the destination 'DJJIB ARMED GUARD' seen at sea on Jan. 17, 2024 in Djibouti, Djibouti.

Houthi attack on commercial ship off Yemen kills three sailors

US and coalition naval vessels responded to the scene after the Barbados-flagged True Confidence reported crew members killed in a Houthi missile strike.

Palestinians walk past the Dome of the Rock at the compound of the Al-Aqsa mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem on Feb. 20, 2024.

What to expect at Al-Aqsa during upcoming Ramadan

Despite calls by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to limit the entry of Muslim worshipers, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to allow a similar number of Palestinian worshippers as in previous years to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during the month of Ramadan.

Children are pictured at the Kalma camp for the displaced just outside Nyala, the provincial capital of South Darfur state, on November 20, 2022. - Sudan is one of the world's poorest countries, with one third of the population, at least 15 million people, facing a growing hunger crisis, according to United Nations figures. (Photo by Abdelmonim MADIBU / AFP) (Photo by ABDELMONIM MADIBU/AFP via Getty Images)

Sudan war could trigger 'world’s largest hunger crisis,' says UN

The war in Sudan has left millions in need of immediate relief as humanitarian conditions deteriorate.

Supporters hold a poster depicting Malis interim leader and head of Junta, Colonel Assimi Goïta (L) and Guinea Interim leader and head of Junta, Mamady Doumbouya (R), in Bamako, Mali, on September 22, 2022 during Mali's Independence Day military parade. (Photo by OUSMANE MAKAVELI / AFP) (Photo by OUSMANE MAKAVELI/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

As Mali’s junta pokes at Algeria, what’s at stake for North Africa and Sahel?

Three years after severing its ties with Morocco, Algeria faces challenges in its relations with Mali and other Sahel countries.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

A picture shows the new Iranian drone "Mohajer 10" during Iran's defence industry achievements exhibition in Tehran on August 23, 2023. Iran unveiled on August 22 its latest domestically built drone that can fly at a higher altitude and for a longer duration with enhanced weapons capabilities, state media reported. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran showcases Shahed drones, missiles at Qatar's defense exhibition

This year’s Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference features Iranian drones, Russian warships and delegations from across Asia and Africa.