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

politics and security cover image

Politics & Security

An Iranian man rides his motorbike past a billboard on May 28, 2026.

Analysis

Why Iran's generals are intensifying anti-US rhetoric amid negotiations

Leading figures within Iran's military and security establishment have framed the memorandum with Washington not as an end point but as a conditional arrangement tied to battlefield realities.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Demonstrators take part in a rally against the upcoming NATO Summit early July in Ankara, on June 13, 2026.

Turkey detains 233 ahead of NATO summit, including LGBTQ+ activist Yildiz Tar

The operation included alleged militant suspects as well as LGBTQ+ and leftist activists, raising concerns over the scope of the crackdown.

Speaker of the parliament of Iran, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (R), arrives at the Burgenstock resort in Obbuergen, near Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 21, 2026.

Iran's Ghalibaf holds talks in Oman on Strait of Hormuz: What to know

The US-Iran memorandum of understanding signed last week calls for Iran and Oman to hold talks on the future administration of the strait.

Krikor Der-Hagopian at the 9th Sulaimani Forum, in Sulaimaniyah, Iraq, on April 16, 2025.

Iraq taps Krikor Der-Hagopian as first Armenian Christian ambassador to US

Baghdad’s pick of a US-educated Armenian Christian adviser as envoy to Washington underscores a bid to reset US-Iraq ties and broaden the country’s diplomatic profile.

Latest News

Analysis

Pilot zones at center of Israel-Lebanon talks as Trump pressures Netanyahu

Lebanese army forces deploy in the village of Bir al-Salasel in southern Lebanon on June 15, 2026. Iran's foreign ministry on June 15 said the US must ensure that Israel commits to stopping the war in Lebanon under a deal agreed upon with the US to end the Middle East war. Lebanon was pulled into the conflict in early March when Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran's supreme leader, prompting Israeli strikes and a ground invasion. (Pho

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

Analysis

As US reshapes Lebanon strategy, Israel finds itself sidelined

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in Tyre, Lebanon, on June 9, 2026.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Explainer

What’s the status of Strait of Hormuz after US-Iran talks?

Handout Photo by the US Navy via 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

BULENT KILIC/AFP via Getty Images

UN urges Turkey to return to women's rights accord

Special rapporteur Reem Alsalem has called on the Turkish government to reconsider last year’s decision to leave an UN agreement on combating abuse of women and girls.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shows the way to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence, outside Moscow, Russia, Sept. 21, 2015.

Putin stars in Israeli election campaigns

The diplomatic crisis between Jerusalem and Moscow offered opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu an angle for attacking Prime Minister Yair Lapid.

Erdogan grain

Praise for Erdogan's mediation in Ukraine grain deal has its limits

The UN-Turkish mediation with Russia and Ukraine may not give the Turkish president the expected diplomatic boost at home.

Sisi Jeddah

Nile Dam dispute still stalled following US, GCC+3 summit in Jeddah

Although the leaders of Arab and Gulf countries, as well as the United States, expressed support for a diplomatic solution to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, many don’t believe this statement will revive the negotiations or push Ethiopia to end its unilateral measures.

Tunisia election

Analysis

The Takeaway: Tunisia reaches turning point as its democracy unravels

Also: Israel fears Russia row will spill into Syria; Syrian Kurds push for US support; Russia resumes bombing northwest Syria; Jackie Chan movie outrages displaced Syrians; Egypt eyes BRICS.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Andrew Parasiliti

By Elizabeth Hagedorn , Andrew Parasiliti

Exterior of Iraq's Council of Representatives, the country's unicameral legislature, in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone.

Iraqi Sadrist protesters storm parliament

Sadrist protesters stormed parliament today, rejecting the formation of the government under the premiership of Muhammad Shia Sudani, who was nominated recently by a rival Shia colaition.

An Iraqi police vehicle secures the area of the Turkish Consulate in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.

Turkey, Iraq, Kurds seek leverage from tourist massacre

Ankara continues to deny responsibility for shelling that killed tourists in Iraqi Kurdistan.

An Iranian woman holds a poster of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a rally in support of wearing headscarves.

Khamenei supports stricter hijab enforcement in Iran

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei finally weighed in on the recent controversy over the country’s enforcement of strict Islamic dress for women.

YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images

Following Biden’s MidEast visit, Pentagon aims to do more with less

The White House wants the Pentagon to bring Israeli tech to link up Arab air defenses, but can progress be achieved without deploying additional American units?

Ilia Yefimovich/Getty Images

Rival for Israeli vote emerges in Lapid's own camp

Prime Minister Yair Lapid though opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu would be his most dangerous rival, but now Defense Minister Benny Gantz also emerged as an opponent.

Roxanne Tahbaz holds a photograph of her father, Morad Tahbaz.

Iran temporarily releases US-UK environmentalist Morad Tahbaz

His daughter Tara Tahbaz described the news of his temporary release as "surreal."

This picture taken on Dec. 27, 2021, shows a view of a broken tombstone at the Roman Catholic monastery area in the town of al-Qanayyah.

Syrian jihadi leader Golani meets with Idlib’s Christians

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani met with Christians as part of efforts to reshape the terrorist group's image.