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

politics and security cover image

Politics & Security

US President Donald Trump arrives for the G7 Leaders' Summit at the Hotel Royal, Evian Resort on June 15, 2026 in Evian-les-Bains, France.

Feature

Trump’s Iran deal sidesteps fate of detained Americans

The White House declined to say whether the release of the six Americans would be included in a final deal.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Latest News

How Iran stands to win major financial relief in Trump-backed deal

A shop owner counts Iranian banknotes at a store in the capital Tehran on Jan. 7, 2026.

Senate bill adds restrictions on US effort to train Lebanon army: What to know

Lebanese army forces set up a checkpoint at the entrance of the village of Ghandourieh in southern Lebanon on June 15, 2026.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Turkey captures alleged ISIS-K media chief near Afghanistan-Pakistan border

A Turkish police officers patrols at the scene of a motor-bike bomb explosion, next to a police station on Oct. 6, 2016, in Istanbul.

After US-Iran deal, Ghalibaf says Tehran seeks deeper ties with China

Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf speaks with Tehran's Chamber of Commerce, June 17, 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

Iranian missile Sevom-Khordad on display during the annual military parade marking the anniversary of the outbreak of the devastating 1980-1988 war with Saddam Hussein's Iraq, in the capital Tehran on Sept. 22, 2022.

US sanctions Iran drone suppliers for arming Russia in Ukraine

The Treasury Department announced designations on six executives and board members with Qods Aviation Industries.

Former and designated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the Knesset, Jerusalem, Dec. 29, 2022.

Netanyahu’s judicial reform threatens Israeli democracy

With Justice Minister Yariv levin promoting a reform to erode the courts’ responsibility, and with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promoting a law for convicted Aryeh Deri to serve as minister, Israel’s democracy is facing an existential danger.

Vehicles of forces loyal to Tripoli-based Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah are parked along the waterfront, hours after forces of the rival Tobruk-based government withdrew following heavy fighting between opposing militiasTripoli, Libya, May 17, 2022.

Libya rivals agree to pursue 'constitutional base' for settlement

Ben and Andrew Webinar

Webinar recap: What to expect from Israel’s new government

If you missed it, watch the full event now.

Men ride scooters past a billboard depicting (L to R) the late commander of the Popular Mobilization Units Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Qassem Soleimani, Baghdad, Iraq, June 13, 2021.

Iraqi PM condemns former US administration for killing Soleimani

At a ceremony marking the anniversary of the assassination of Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani condemned the former US administration for carrying out the strikes.

Erdogan xi

Turkey spars with China over Uyghurs, but is it real?

Turkey’s opposition and some Uyghur activists remain doubtful on how committed Ankara is to defending the rights of the Uyghurs despite its recent spat with Beijing.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Iraq judicial chief highlights arrest warrant for Trump over Soleimani killing

The 2020 US airstrike that killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad continues to be a sore point between the US and Iraqi governments.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey's historic election could move up as Erdogan calculates

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seeking a favorable vote schedule as he fights to extend his 20-year rule.

Men hold pictures of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , during a protest against the reprinting of the cartoon of the Prophet Mohammad by French magazine Charlie Hebdo, at the Imam Hussein square in the capital Tehran, on September 10, 2020. (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Charlie Hebdo's Khamenei cartoons stir storm between Iran and France

Iran's already frosty ties with France are worsening as the Islamic Republic closed down a key French cultural institute, hard-liners demanded the expulsion of the French envoy and the walls of the French mission were covered with graffiti.

An armed Turkish security officer (L) stands guard near a gate as passengers walk past within a memorial ceremony on June 28, 2017 at Ataturk International airport in Istanbul, one year since the triple suicide bombing and gun attack by Islamic State (IS) jihadists. (OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

Breaking | Last Updated: January 5, 2023, 7:29 pm

US slaps sanctions on Islamic State network in Turkey

The US Treasury Department designated four individuals and two entities accused of enabling the terrorist group’s recruitment and financial transfers.

Beirut international airport

Lebanon arrests seven suspects in killing of Irish UNIFIL soldier

Seven suspects have been arrested in relation to the killing of an Irish peacekeeper in south Lebanon and six more are being investigated.

Israeli police vans carrying 19 Palestinian women leave Hadarim prison, near the coastal city of Netanya, Israel, Oct. 2, 2009.

Longest-held Palestinian prisoner released after 40 years in Israeli jail

Imprisoned since 1983 for killing an Israeli soldier, Israeli Arab Karim Younis was freed Thursday and went back to his home village.