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

Supporters of Hezbollah hold up their phones and wave the party flag during a celebration marking the 40th anniversary of the Shiite movement creation in southern suburb of Beirut on Aug. 22, 2022.

Breaking | Last Updated: November 17, 2022, 12:36 pm

US sanctions oil shipping network supporting Hezbollah, Quds Force

The Treasury Department accused a Gulf-based group of individuals and front companies of concealing the Iranian origins of oil shipments.

Lahur Talabany gives a talk at the UK House of Commons in London, Nov. 1, 2022.

Ex-intel chief Talabany warns Iraqi Kurds risk civil conflict leaving Turkey, Iran room to meddle

Ousted Iraqi Kurdish Intel Chief Lahur Talabany warns of civil conflict amid escalating tensions between the main Iraqi Kurdish factions, and insists that Kurds' future lies in Iraq.

Palestinian authorities confiscate illegal drugs in Gaza.

Palestinians blame Israel for Gaza drug trade

Gaza is experiencing a surge in illegal drug trafficking, addiction and crime.

YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images

Erdogan floats referendum on headscarf, 'family institution'

The Turkish president has said public could be canvassed on changes to protect what he called family values and the rights of women who wear headscarves.

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Explainer: Kahanism, far-right ideology linked to Netanyahu’s election win

Religious Zionism politician Itamar Ben Gvir has been linked to the late American-Israeli firebrand Meir Kahane, who called for the expulsion of Arabs from Israel.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

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

Egyptian activicts Mohamed Adel (L), Ahmed Douma (C) and Ahmed Maher (R) stand in the accused dock during their trial on December 22, 2013 in the capital Cairo. An Egyptian court sentenced three activists who spearheaded the 2011 uprising against Hosni Mubarak to three years in jail for organising an unlicensed protest, judicial sources said. It was the first such verdict against non-Islamist protesters since the overthrow of president Mohamed Morsi in July, and was seen by rights groups as part of a wideni

Ahead of COP27, Democrats push Biden to confront Egypt on human rights

A group of lawmakers want President Joe Biden to use the climate conference to press Egypt for improvements in its dire human rights record.

SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images

Breaking | Last Updated: November 2, 2022, 3:39 pm

US says North Korea shipping weapons to Russia via Middle East

The White House said it will consult with allies on next steps, including at the United Nations.

Russia / Mideast

The Malta-flagged bulk carrier Zante en-route to Belgium transits the Bosporus carrying 47,270 metric tons of rapeseed from Ukraine.

Russia returns to Ukraine grain deal, easing food crisis fears

Russia announces its return to the Ukraine grain deal after intense diplomatic traffic between Ankara and Moscow, mitigating concerns over a food crisis until the deal expires late November.

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

Another bank held up in Lebanon despite heightened security

Two more angry Lebanese depositors have taken guns into their banks to demand their trapped savings.

Israeli Prime Minister and head of Yesh Atid Yair Lapid.

Lapid’s camp loses Israeli general elections

Looking back, Prime Minister Yair Lapid did not really do whatever was needed to consolidate the center-left camp and prepare it for the elections.

Amir Levy/Getty Images

Will Israel's Netanyahu upend Lebanon gas deal, Iran policy?

Now that the election is over, victor Benjamin Netanyahu will find it hard to keep some of his promises.

AAREF WATAD/AFP via Getty Images

Turkish-backed faction blocks fuel en route to Idlib

The Free Syrian Army’s Third Legion is reportedly preventing fuel from reaching Idlib, which is controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, after the recent fighting between the two parties.