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

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Politics & Security

Israeli soldiers take positions during a military operation in the town of Qalqiya, in the occupied West Bank, Dec. 4, 2025.

Katz warns PA against 'Oct. 7-style' attack as West Bank violence rises

After a West Bank stabbing of an Israeli settler, Defense Minister Israel Katz warns the Palestinian Authority against launching an “Oct. 7-style” assault.

Forces loyal to Yemen's Saudi-backed government ride in a pick-up truck in the Hays district, south of Hodeidah, Yemen, Sept. 5, 2026.

Yemen army ups strikes on Houthis, retakes Red Sea coast positions

The Iranian-backed Houthis launched an offensive to take areas bordering the Red Sea, prompting heavy clashes and exchanges of fire with Saudi-backed government forces.

An excavator digs as rescuers search for survivors amid the rubble following an overnight Israeli airstrike on the village of Kfar Roummane, southern Lebanon, Sept. 7, 2026.

Lebanon says at least 12 killed in Israeli strikes as tensions rise in south

The escalation in southern Lebanon casts a shadow over upcoming Israel-Lebanon talks in Rome.

A woman walks past a model of a Lora missile, Israel's long range artillery missile at the Israel defence stall at the international DefExpo 2008 defence fair, in New Delhi on February 16, 2008. India kicked off South Asia's largest defence fair, with hundreds of global weapons firms offering their latest hardware to the country's technology-hungry military. About 450 weapons companies from 30 countries are present at the four-day "DefExpo" in New Delhi, with several big-ticket announcements expected. AFP P

Analysis

LORA missile test reveals limits of Germany’s Gaza criticism of Israel

The German navy tested Israel’s LORA ballistic missile as Berlin considers acquiring the system, deepening defense ties with Israel despite criticism of the Gaza war.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Latest News

Analysis

With Hurjet test, Turkey seeks defense dominance beyond drones

TAI Hurjet

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

How Jewish politician joining Arab party could reshape Israeli politics

Raam

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

Playing for time: Despite US pressure, Israel stalls Lebanon talks until after election

Ammar Ammar / AFP via Getty Images

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

US sanctions Turkey-based bank over Iran ties

Chip Somodevilla/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

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) meets with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv on Jan. 9, 2024, during his week-long trip aimed at calming tensions across the Middle East, amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.

Day 95 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Tuesday, Jan. 9

A picture taken on July 3, 2022 from the Israeli Kibutz of Baram, shows the flags of (L to R) Lebanon, Hezbollah and Palestine swaying in the wind on the Lebanese side of the border with Israel.

Israeli drone strike in Lebanon leaves three Hezbollah fighters dead

The latest strike comes as the cross-border fighting between Hezbollah and Israel intensifies.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken gestures as he arrives in Tel Aviv on Jan. 8, 2024.

Blinken to Israel: Reducing Gaza casualties an 'absolute imperative'

The top US diplomat's meetings with Israeli officials come after President Joe Biden said he was “quietly working” to get Israel out of Gaza.

Hatira, a Saluki who runs “like a bullet,” in Aliyaa, Syria on Nov. 22, 2023.

Syrian Kurdish village breeds ancient Saluki dogs amid ravages of war

Wealthy Arabs from the Gulf — sheikhs, emirs and princes included — are some of the top customers of Syria's Saluki breeders.

mbz baku

UAE President MBZ in Azerbaijan eyeing energy, investment cooperation

Emirati entities have inked several energy deals with Azerbaijan in the past year.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomes Antony Blinken on Jan 6.Source: Turkish Presidency

What are the three files that Turkey pressed Blinken on during visit?

The Turkey leg of Blinken’s new regional tour landed him a meeting with Erdogan as Washington-Ankara ties see improvement.

This picture taken from an Israeli position along the border with southern Lebanon shows smoke billowing above the village of Adayseh during Israeli bombardment, Jan. 4, 2024.

Analysis

How damaging was Hezbollah's rocket barrage on Israeli air base?

In a first since Oct. 7, Hezbollah hit and damaged infrastructure at an Israeli air base in the north of the country, not far from the border with Lebanon.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images

Journalist Wael Dahdouh 'the mountain' inspires Gaza through tragedy

Al Jazeera's bureau chief in Gaza has lost most of his family members and relatives, but is determined to continue covering the Israeli bombardment of the enclave.

A man inspects the destroyed building of Palestinian journalist Adel Zorob, who was killed overnight in an Israeli bombardment, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Dec. 19, 2023, amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas militant group.

Day 94 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Monday, Jan. 8

The funeral of Hamza Wael Dahdouh, a journalist with the Al Jazeera television network, who was killed in a reported Israeli air strike in Rafah in the Gaza Strip on January 7, 2024

Day 93 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Sunday, Jan. 7

A ritual of hope: Exploring Istanbul's 'First Day of the Month Church'

On the first day of 2024, hundreds from different faiths, including Muslims, flock to a famous Istanbul church, engaging in ancient rituals that transform New Year's aspirations into realities.

A general view of the International Court of Justice during a public hearing, The Hague, June 6, 2023.

Will South Africa be successful in its Gaza genocide case against Israel?

Israel has selected a British lawyer to represent it against the South African complaint to the International Court of Justice.