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

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Politics & Security

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 23: U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) speaks at a press conference on China AI export controls at the U.S. Capitol on September 23, 2026 in Washington, DC. Slotkin, joined by fellow Senate Democrats, urged Senate Republican's and the Trump administration to enact stronger export controls on AI technology and computer chips to China. The Democrats also call for a vote on bipartisan export control legislation, including the AI OVERWATCH Act, the MATCH Act, and the Chip Security Act. (

Slotkin, Van Hollen emerge as potential challengers to Schumer’s Senate leadership

A growing number of Democrats are calling for new leadership in the Senate to replace Schumer, arguing that the party needs a leader who better reflects its generational and ideological shift to the left.

SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images

Massie introduces impeachment articles against Hegseth over Iran war

House Democrats are on board with voting to impeach the Pentagon chief, but it's not clear how many Republicans will break with the White House's public messaging.

This photograph shows empty fresh-food refrigerators at an Intermarche supermarket in Nevez, France, on Oct. 12, 2026, following a cyberattack that caused its refrigerators to defrost.

France blames Iran for supermarket fridge hack, seeks EU sanctions

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Monday blamed Iran for the October cyberattack that disabled refrigeration at supermarkets across France.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi speaks during a joint press conference with Germans chachellor at the Chancellery on September 15, 2026 in Berlin, Germany. High on the meeting's agenda is the expansion of economic cooperation between Germany and Iraq. (Photo by Michele Tantussi/Getty Images)

Explainer

Iraqi PM cancels Mosul airport contracts, citing Iran militia links: What to know

Kataib Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc is questioning the sources of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s wealth after he moved to curb militia influence in the country.

Latest News

Trump meets Qatar PM as mediators push Iran deal

President Donald Trump (R) attends a bilateral meeting with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during the G7 summit, in Evian, France, on June 16, 2026.

Lebanon replaces Detroit consul expelled over 1983 Marines attack posts

Marines barracks

Iran claims IAEA held 'recent' inspection at Bushehr plant: What to know

A picture taken on Nov. 10, 2019, shows an Iranian flag at Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant.

Analysis

Trump officials look past Netanyahu, push Eisenkot to form government quickly

Amir Levy/Getty Images

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

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

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz

Israeli defense minister fosters security ties in Azerbaijan

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz traveled this week to Azerbaijan on the backdrop of growing tensions with Iran and Jerusalem’s desire to deepen strategic, security and economic ties with Baku.

Namazi

Detained US citizen Baquer Namazi leaves Iran after six years

After arriving in the United Arab Emirates, 85-year-old Baquer Namazi will undergo urgent surgery at the Cleveland Clinic.

This picture shows the damage in a street in the central Syrian town of al-Qaryatain in Homs province.

Syrian government gears up for major military operation against IS in the desert

Syrian government forces are deployed in the Syrian desert in preparation for a large campaign against the Islamic State.

Tripoli

Russia to reopen embassy in Libya

For years Russia supported the eastern-based military forces in Libya, but now Moscow is working with the Tripoli government to reopen its embassy there.

A protestor shouts slogans during a demonstration against the Iranian regime.

Iran unrest takes new turn as schoolgirls join protests

A fresh episode was seen in raging protests across Iran as schoolgirls defiantly twirled headscarves and chanted against Iran's supreme leader, who ordered a crackdown on the protesters.

Turkey gas

Turkey-Libya energy deal clouds waters in East Mediterranean

An energy deal signed between Turkey and the Libyan administration of  Abdul Hamid Dbeibah on Monday has brought a reaction from Greece, EU and Libya’s eastern-based parliament.

Nasiriyah protest

Iraq situation ‘highly volatile,' envoy warns Security Council

The UN’s envoy to Iraq delivered a scathing indictment of the country’s political class during today’s Security Council briefing, decrying its exposure of the population to severe risks.

Turkish pop star Gulsen performs during a concert in Aydin, Turkey, on March 27, 2022.

Once a safe haven, Iranians in Turkey say civil liberties are at risk

Many Iranians feel that space for culture, freedom of speech and a secular lifestyle is steadily shrinking in Turkey, which until now has been serving as a safe haven for many Iranians to live freely.

Tunisia's Speaker of the Parliament Rached Ghannouchi flashes the victory sign as he arrives for questioning at the judicial police headquarters in the capital Tunis, on April 1, 2022.

Tunisia’s Islamists under siege as Saied rolls back democracy

Islamists are bearing the brunt of President Kais Saied’s "counter revolution" with their leaders facing possible jail time and little public sympathy, as many view them as the principal architects of the economic woes and political gridlock that has long gripped the country.

A Ukrainian serviceman carries a downed Russian drone.

Analysis

Russia's use of Iranian drones in Ukraine hints at reliance on Iran

Problems equipping Russian troops with "nationally developed drones" leave Russia's military primarily operating Iranian drones.

Anton Mardasov

By Anton Mardasov

Itamar Ben-Gvir (L), Israeli far-right lawmaker and leader of the Jewish Power party, arrives with other Israeli right-wing activists at the archaeological and religious site of the Tomb of Samuel in Nabi Samuel village, between Ramallah and Jerusalem, West Bank, Sept. 2, 2022.

Netanyahu's ultranationalist minister pick concerns US

American officials are warning opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu that including ultranationalist Itamar Ben Gvir in a possible future cabinet would damage Israel’s relations with its great ally.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to speak at the Computer History Museum, Mountain View, California, March 5, 2014.

Netanyahu attacks US over Israel-Lebanon maritime border deal

In his efforts to win the Nov. 1 elections, opposition head Benjamin Netanyahu is willing to torpedo the American-mediated agreement between Israel and Lebanon on maritime border demarcation and to attack the Biden administration.