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

politics and security cover image

Politics & Security

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks to journalists as he arrives for an informal meeting of the European Council in Nicosia, Cyprus, April 24, 2026.

Why US, Israel are freezing France out of Lebanon talks

With talks between Israel and Lebanon being held in Washington, Paris still insists that it must be involved to balance possible American bias and to protect Beirut’s interests.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan hosted the third meeting of the foreign ministers of Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on the margins of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, on April 17, 2026.

Analysis

Why Saudi Arabia, Egypt are wary of Turkey’s proposed 4-way defense pact with Pakistan

The proposed framework faces major hurdles and fault lines, ranging from NATO constraints to Israeli opposition and weak military integration.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

An elections employee tapes a poster with instructions to voters ahead of the upcoming municipal elections in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on April 21, 2026.

Feature

Gazans show cautious hope ahead of first local elections in 20 years

The city of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza is set to hold municipal elections for the first time in nearly two decades.

Rasha Abou Jalal

By Rasha Abou Jalal

In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan (L) disembarks from an airplane upon his arrival at the Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut on Jan. 23, 2025.

In Lebanon, Saudi Arabia pursues quiet diplomacy as Trump pushes Israel normalization

Saudi Arabia has been engaged in intense diplomacy in Lebanon in recent days, leading up to the extension of a ceasefire with Israel.

Latest News

Syria arrests Amjad Youssef, Tadamoun massacre perpetrator: What to know

A young man stands in the entrance of tunnels that were used by the ISIS and the Assad's regime for fighting. Tadamon, Syria, February 7, 2025. (Photo by Raghed Waked / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by RAGHED WAKED/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey’s Baykar tests K2 swarm kamikaze drones for first time: What to know

CORLU, TURKEY- MARCH 2: A B model of Bayraktar AKINCI TİHA (Assault Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) in the sky on March 2, 2022 in Corlu, Turkey. (Photo by Baykar Press Office/dia images via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel fears Trump angling for Lebanon deal to offset Iran missteps

US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa (R) holds a signed "Make America Great Again" hat while (L-R) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Lebanon Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad listen to US President Donald Trump speak during a meeting with Lebanon Ambassador to the US and Israel Ambassador to the US, at the White House in Washington, DC on April 23, 2026. US President Donald Trump met Lebanese and Israeli envoys at a new round of peace talks Thursday, with Beirut seeking a one-month extension of a

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

Kuwait acquits journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin after 7 weeks in detention

Ahmed Shihab‑Eldin attends the Opening Night during the Doha Film Festival 2025 on Nov. 20, 2025 in Doha, Qatar.

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

Residents hang a poster bearing a portrait of Hezbollah's slain leader Hassan Nasrallah and the flag of the Iran-baked party on the rubble of a destroyed house in the southern border village of Adaisseh, following the Israeli army's withdrawal on Feb. 18, 2025.

Hezbollah rejects talks with Israel as attacks spark fear of renewed war

Hezbollah’s response to President Joseph Aoun’s call for talks with Israel have further deepened divisions in the country.

Iraqis walk past electoral billboards, including one bearing a portrait of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (C), in central Baghdad on Oct. 19, 2025, ahead of Iraq's parliamentary elections on Nov. 11.

Iraq elections: What to know as Sudani seeks second term

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is seen as the front-runner ahead of next week’s election, though the country may face another lengthy process of forming a government.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 1: Democratic New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani (C) raises his hands during a campaign event with New York City elected officials on November 1, 2025 in the Queens borough of New York City. With only days left in the race for New York City's next mayor, Mamdani remains the front runner against Independent candidate, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. (Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)

For Arab and Muslim Americans, Mamdani's victory grants seat at table

Zohran Mamdani will be New York City’s first Muslim mayor, a milestone celebrated by Muslim and Arab organizations nationwide.

A Syrian man inspects the prison of Saydnaya, north of Damascus on Dec. 16, 2024.

Feature

Families of Americans missing in Syria urge Caesar sanctions relief

The remaining US sanctions on Syria may be hindering the search for the remains of Americans detained and killed by the former Assad regime.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

Sipan Hemo

Exclusive

SDF commander Hemo: Syria’s Kurds prepare for threat of war as Damascus talks falter

As US-brokered talks stall, Kurdish forces are preparing contingencies while continuing dialogue with Damascus to secure Syria’s future, SDF commander Sipan Hemo told Al-Monitor in an exclusive interview.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Defense Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh (L) called on Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz (R).

With new pact, Israel and India boost defense ties, eye $905M aircraft deal: What to know

The new defense pact and potential defense deal come as Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visits Delhi this week.

Ghazal Hashmi walks in the annual Norfolk State University Homecoming Parade, on Oct. 25, 2025.

Ghazala Hashmi makes history as first Muslim US woman elected statewide

Virginia state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi made US history Tuesday, winning the lieutenant governor’s race and becoming the first Muslim-American woman elected to statewide office.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Meet Rama Duwaji, Mamdani's wife and New York’s first lady of Syrian descent

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's wife, Rama Duwaji, largely stayed out of the spotlight during the campaign but her Syrian heritage has shaped her views and upbringing.

New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, center, celebrates with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), left, and US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), right.

Zohran Mamdani elected as New York’s first Muslim mayor

Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic socialist and state lawmaker, made history Tuesday as New York City’s first Muslim and first South Asian mayor.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

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