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

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Politics & Security

Iranians walk past a wall decorated with the image of assassinated Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the national flag, in central of Tehran on Sept. 14, 2026.

Iran seizes assets of 394 people accused of spying for 'hostile enemy'

The crackdown comes amid heightened tensions in the region as the US and Iran trade threats.

ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Why Netanyahu is distancing himself from Trump ahead of Israeli election

No meeting has been announced between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly summit in New York.

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

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi

Rubio meets Iraq’s PM as remaining US troops prepare exit

The meeting in New York comes less than two weeks before remaining US troops are set to leave Iraq.

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Turkey, US resume F-16 talks ahead of expected Trump-Erdogan meeting

Win McNamee/Getty Images

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Iran threatens to expand war with new weapons if US attacks resume

Wakil Kohsar / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

After France's settlement ban, Israel sees no warming of ties with Macron government

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Emmanuel Macron arrive to hold a joint press conference in Jerusalem, Oct. 24, 2023.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

How a new Baluch militant coalition raises pressure on Iran-Pakistan border

A picture of Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, who was killed during Israeli strikes on Tehran in June, is displayed Zahedan, the capital of the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan, during a media tour organized by the Iranian government on Dec. 18, 2025.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

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

F-15

Biden administration plans to sell F-15 fighter jets to Egypt

The proposed sale has been in the works for years and is bound to raise opposition on Capitol Hill.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (R) shakes hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian

Iran says Russia won't block nuclear deal

Iran's top diplomat was in Moscow in what appeared to be a push to bring Russia back onboard the nuclear talks after they were stalled presumably by Russia's "unrelated" demands.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Turkish opposition slams electoral tinkering

The opposition says a proposed amendment to Turkey's election law is designed to look like it will enhance multiparty democracy, but will only help get the ruling party and its allies reelected.

A general view shows a damaged mansion following an overnight attack in Erbil, the capital of the northern Iraqi Kurdish autonomous region, March 13, 2022.

IRGC attack narratives diverge as Iraq strives for unity

An IRGC attack on Erbil has sparked outcry and raised concern in Iraq over armed groups that do not recognize the country’s national sovereignty.

Iran nuclear talks at the Grand Hotel on April 15, 2021, in Vienna, Austria.

Analysis

Iran nuclear talks overcome Russian wrench in gears

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian’s Tuesday visit to Moscow could have played a part in Russia backing down from its original maximalist demands.

Mark Fitzpatrick

By Mark Fitzpatrick

JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images

Israel, Emirates coordinate positions against Iran nuke talks

The issue of the Vienna talks are sure to be discussed in today's Washington meetings between IDF senior commanders and their American counterparts.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett gives a speech during a ceremony for the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah for Israeli soldiers, Jerusalem, Nov. 29, 2021.

Israel-Iran conflict escalates to drone war

Tehran blames Israel for attacking last month one of its bases in the west of Iran, allegedly destroying hundreds of drones.

A university student crosses the border from Ukraine by foot in Barabas, Hungary, on Feb. 28, 2022.

Returning Egyptians share nightmares of fleeing war in Ukraine

Egyptian students who fled the Russian war in Ukraine recount the details of their repatriation.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog (L) stands next to his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, after a press conference, Ankara, Turkey, March 9, 2022.

Hamas fears setback in warming of Israel-Turkey ties

Hamas worries that an Israel-Turkey rapprochement could affect the movement’s presence and activities in Turkey.

Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

How Erdogan could emerge stronger from war in Ukraine

Senior bureaucrats believe Erdogan will "wipe the opposition off the table" in next year's elections, excelling as he does in every major crisis.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (R) shakes hands with Hamas political director Khaled Meshaal before their meeting, Moscow, Russia, Feb. 27, 2007.

Hamas keeps quiet on Russian war in Ukraine

Hamas is keen on keeping mum about Russia’s war on Ukraine, following lessons learned from the Arab Spring.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (L) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shake hands.

Turkey, Germany extend call to Russia for cease-fire

During German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s first visit to Ankara, both leaders maintain that they want to help Ukraine defend itself while seeking a diplomatic solution.