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

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Politics & Security

Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos Hessebon meets with Marco Rubio in Washington on May 11, 2026.

Rubio hosts Ethiopia’s FM amid push to boost security ties: What to know

In response to heightening regional volatility, Ethiopia is prioritizing a strategic partnership with the Washington to secure its geopolitical standing.

A picture taken on March 12, 2017, shows an Panamanian tanker docking at the platform of the oil facility in the Khark Island, on the shore of the Gulf.

US hits China-linked Iran oil trade with sanctions ahead of Trump trip

The sanctions come after the United States rejected Iran's latest proposal to end the war.

French Deputy Armed Forces Minister Alice Rufo

After year away, France returns ambassador to Algeria: What to know

France and Algeria have made efforts to improve ties recently, with the strain resulting from disagreements over Western Sahara and their shared colonial past.

Latest News

Turkey's border reopening unlocks new sphere of influence in Syria

Turkish Red Crescent's cars and trucks cross the Turkish border as they leave the Syrian city of Tel Abyad on Oct. 19, 2019, in Akcakale, Turkey.

Trump calls Iran response 'piece of garbage,' set to meet military advisers

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MAY 2: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to journalists before boarding Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport on May 2, 2026 in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump is spending the weekend at his Mar-A-Lago resort. (Photo by Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)

EU ministers agree to sanction violent West Bank settlers: What to know

Two men stand next to the burned remains of a Palestinian vehicle in the Wadi al-Rakhim area of Susya village in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on May 1, 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

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad makes a statement to the press on March 19, 2013 before a signing ceremony at EU headquarters in Brussels ahead of the opening of the annual coordination meeting of Palestinian aid donors.

Interview

Salam Fayyad says he is not part of Gaza ‘day after’ talks

The former Palestinian prime minister told Al-Monitor that any discussion of post-war rule in Gaza "must be based on national consensus."

Salam Fayyad

Salam Fayyad

Former Palestine Prime Minister

Arouri blast site

Analysis

Israel braces for retaliation by Hamas, Hezbollah for Arouri's death

After the killing of Hamas senior Saleh al-Arouri on Lebanese soil, all eyes in Israel are on Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah for his reaction.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

soldiers at Arouri strike site

Israel-Lebanon border heats up in aftermath of Arouri’s killing

The cross-border fire between Hezbollah and Israel and the killing of Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut have stoked concerns of a new front in Lebanon.

People watch the televised speech of Lebanon's Hezbollah chief Hasan Nasrallah, in southern Beirut on January 3, 2024

Day 89 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Wednesday, Jan. 3

Footage shows crowds gathered the moment the first explosion occurred in Kerman, Iran, Jan. 3, 2023.

Explosions in Iran near Qasem Soleimani‘s burial site, 84 killed

The explosion comes amid concerns that the Gaza war will expand across the region.

SOUTHERN ISRAEL - JANUARY 02: An Israeli soldier directs a tank to be loaded on a truck on January 02, 2024 in Southern Israel, near the border to Gaza. Prior to annnouncing the withdrawal of some troops from Gaza, Israel extended its ground offensive into densely populated neighborhoods in the central part of the territory, forcing a fresh wave of displacement to south. Meanwhile, its aerial campaign continued apace across the territory as it seeks to destroy Hamas following the militant group's Oct. 7 att

What does Israeli military drawdown mean for Gaza war?

The Israeli military is preparing for what could be seen as the third phase of the war in Gaza, with less troops on the ground and more precisely targeted operations.

Right-wing Knesset members Itamar Ben-Gvir (L) and Bezalel Smotrich, attend a special session at the Knesset Israel's parliament to approve and swear in a new right-wing government in Jerusalem on Dec. 29, 2022.

US slams Israeli ministers’ ‘inflammatory’ calls for Palestinians to leave Gaza

The State Department said the rhetoric from far-right Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir was "inflammatory and irresponsible."

American aircraft carrier anchored in a harbor after offshore training exercises.

US pulls aircraft carrier from Mediterranean as Israel escalates in Lebanon

Israeli leaders test Hezbollah's restraint as the US Navy's largest aircraft carrier heads home following an extended deployment to deter Iran and its proxies.

Senior Fatah official Jibril Rajoub, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, attends by video conference a meeting with deputy Hamas chief Saleh Arouri (on screen from Beirut) discussing Israel's plan to annex parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on July 2, 2020. (Photo by ABBAS MOMANI / AFP) (Photo by ABBAS MOMANI/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Who is Saleh al-Arouri, top Hamas official killed in Beirut?

Saleh al-Arouri played a large political and military role in Hamas, and his death may elicit a strong response from Hezbollah.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

David Degner/Getty Images

On Africa tour, Sudan's Hemedti takes victory lap, touts himself as future leader

Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo is on a regional tour after his forces seized Sudan’s bread basket, Wad Madani.

An Iranian navy missile is displayed during the army day military parade, outside the mausoleum of the late founder of Islamic republic, Ayatollah Khomeini (poster) in Tehran, April 18, 2007.

Iran hails Houthi rebels, deploys warship as Red Sea simmers

As the Houthi spokesman visited Tehran, the Iranian army dispatched a leading destroyer to the Red Sea, where the United States has been mobilizing an international coalition to end disruptions by the Tehran-backed militant group.

sea mind explodes

Turkey to block UK minesweeper ships intended for Ukraine

Turkey appears determined to strictly adhere to a treaty under which Ankara also closed off its straits to Russian warships.