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

politics and security cover image

Politics & Security

People from Tehran province gather in support and allegiance to Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, while holding Iranian flags and images of both the new and former leaders of Iran, on June 12, 2026, at Palestine Square in Tehran, Iran.

Analysis

Deal with US tests Iran's post-Khamenei power balance

It would be a mistake to treat the hard-liners who oppose the deal as fringe.

Jamshid Jamshidi

By Jamshid Jamshidi

This photograph shows a Turkish national flag at the Razi-Kapikoy border crossing with Iran next to a black flag on the Iranian side, following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in eastern Turkey on March 2, 2026.

Analysis

Turkey eyes gains from US-Iran deal as Ankara balances Tehran, Washington

Turkey sees the US-Iran memorandum as a chance to reduce regional spillover risks, revive trade with Tehran and gain diplomatic breathing room.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Former Israeli Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot gives a press conference in Tel Aviv, on December 4, 2018.

Can political novice Eisenkot defeat Netanyahu in upcoming elections?

The former military chief of staff is emerging as the prime minister's strongest rival in upcoming elections, overtaking former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in recent polls.

An Iranian woman walks past a mural depicting late Iranian supreme leaders Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (L) and Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (R) in Tehran on June 18, 2026.

Analysis

How Lebanon, Hormuz and nuclear tensions are testing fragile US-Iran deal

The heated debate in Tehran revolves around whether the agreement can absorb external shocks without collapsing into renewed confrontation — or whether it is structurally closer to a managed pause in a continuing cycle of escalation.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Latest News

Analysis

How Netanyahu used Lebanon strikes to push back on Trump’s Iran deal

US President Donald Trump holds a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Palm Beach, Florida, Dec. 29, 2025.

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

Who is Lebanon’s Suleiman Frangieh, sanctioned by US for Hezbollah ties?

Marada Movement leader Suleiman Frangieh (L) meets with Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi (C) and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea (R), Bkerke, north of Beirut, Nov. 14, 2018.

Analysis

Fears in Lebanon that US-Iran deal boosts Hezbollah without restraining Israel

Lebanese soldiers man a check point beside a Hezbollah flag at the entrance to Nabatieh on June 15, 2026.

Beatrice Farhat

By Beatrice Farhat

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

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

Members of the Palestinian Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades take part in a demonstration by supporters of the Hamas movement.

Hamas says it is not behind rocket attacks from Gaza

Hamas says it is committed to the truce with Israel.

Members of the Baqir Brigade are seen in the city of Aleppo in this undated photo.

Why is Iran allying itself with Syrian tribal brigade in Aleppo?

A group of Iranian clerics visited the headquarters of the Baqir Brigade, Iran's ally, in the city of Aleppo. The brigade has played a major role in curbing Russian influence in Aleppo in favor of Iran.

Iran nuclear

With US elections over, new run at Iran nuclear deal is possible

By backing the Israel-Lebanon border agreement, Iran shows it is ready to move with the right guarantees.

Afif Abu Much

UAE think tank explores fallout of Israeli elections

In a sign of strengthening relations, a first-of-its-kind symposium this week in Abu Dhabi discussed election results in Israel and the political and security climates there.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (L) hold a press conference following their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Ankara on November 8, 2022.

The Turkey Briefing: Erdogan basks in the global limelight

In this weekly newsletter, Amberin Zaman rounds up the biggest Turkey stories from the region.

Uriel Sinai/Getty Images

Far-right future Israeli lawmakers visit volatile Joseph’s Tomb in West Bank

Fanning the flames of unrest ahead of Israel’s incoming government, far-right and ultra-Orthodox future Knesset members encountered gunfire when they visited the site of Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus this week.

Jordan's Queen Rania opens the Paris Peace Forum

Israel skips Paris Peace Forum

Hosting young entrepreneurs and civil groups from across the globe, the Paris Peace Forum could have been an opportunity for Israelis to meet with counterparts from Algeria, Qatar and other countries that lack diplomatic relations with Jerusalem.

Leader of the far right 'Otzma Yehudit' (Jewish power) party Itamar Ben-Gvir waves as he marches with supporters at the Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem on September 13, 2019. (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP) (Photo credit should read MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

The Israel Briefing: US concerned over appointment of Israeli ultranationalist

In this weekly newsletter, Ben Caspit and Rina Bassist round up the biggest Israel stories from the region.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the Israeli far-right Jewish Power party, speaks during parliamentary consultations with parties elected in the 25th Knesset, at the presidential residence, Jerusalem, Nov. 10, 2022.

US concerned over appointment of Israeli ultranationalist as public security minister

With President Isaac Herzog preparing to task Benjamin Netanyahu with the composition of the next government, the Biden administration is increasingly worried over ultranationalist Itamar Ben-Gvir, ideological successor of Rabbi Meir Kahane, becoming a Cabinet minister.

B-52

The Security Briefing: deterrence returns to the Gulf

In this weekly newsletter, Pentagon Correspondent Jared Szuba rounds up the biggest defense stories from the region.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Egypt raises security implications of climate change at COP27

As Egypt hosts the UN climate conference COP27, Cairo is focusing particularly on the harm climate change could do to local and international peace and security.

Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian looks on during a press conference in Tehran on July 20, 2022.

Iran warns Germany over crackdown criticism

The Islamic Republic was unsettled by international criticism over its suppression of nearly two months of protests, with its security forces now attacking people dancing in defiance of theocratic rules.