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

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Politics & Security

OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey bars MP’s wife from travel after his fund scandal criticism: What to know

Opposition politicians and rights advocates described Yonca Verdioglu Sik’s brief detention as an attempt to intimidate her husband, opposition lawmaker Ahmet Sik, over his criticism of the government.

ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images

GCC to build military command center in Kuwait as region simmers: What to know

GCC countries have stepped up their joint defense efforts with the announcement of a new forward command center to be headquartered in Kuwait, as tensions between Iran and the US continue to escalate.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Hegseth strikes defiant tone, calls House impeachment process 'farce'

Pentagon's top official called Rep. Thomas Massie's charges a 'farce,' arguing other defense secretaries trespassed on the War Powers Act without being impeached.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) casts his ballot, next to his wife Sara

Explainer

From Oct. 7 inquiry to blocking Netanyahu: Eisenkot's bloc maps out Knesset agenda

Israel's opposition to advance anti-Netanyahu government measures as soon as Knesset convenes Tuesday, without waiting for a new cabinet to take shape.

Latest News

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

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. (

Massie introduces impeachment articles against Hegseth over Iran war

SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images

France blames Iran for supermarket fridge hack, seeks EU sanctions

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.

Explainer

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

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)

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

Palestinian children burn tyres following an earler an Israeli military raid in Jenin in the occupied West Bank on April 12, 2022.

Is Israel ready to invade Jenin camp?

Residents of the Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank fear yet another invasion by the Israeli army, 20 years after the Battle of Jenin.

Pro-Russian supporters wave flags as they welcome missile cruiser Moskva.

How Russia losing its Black Sea flagship Moskva could reverberate in Syria

This photo shows the security fence near Ibthan (in the Zemer local council) in central Israel separating it from the West Bank, April 13, 2022.

Israel forced to rethink lax approach on security fence

IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi would have probably preferred dedicating all his attention and efforts to Iran, and not be bothered with the breaches in the security fence.

Al Aqsa

Hamas weighs restraint, escalation with Israel as violence intensifies

The Israeli air force bombed Gaza in response to rocket fire, the worst violence in a year, as confrontations continue in Jerusalem.

The Hilton Taba Resort is seen on the east coast of the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, July 10, 2013.

Egyptians outraged over Israeli festivals in Sinai

Two music festivals organized by Israel in the Sinai Peninsula have raised the ire of Egyptians as they coincided with the anniversary of the liberation of Sinai.

Iranian conservative presidential candidate and Tehran Mayor Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

Iran parliament speaker in hot water over family's trip to Turkey

Under tightening livelihood strains and constantly being told to pursue modesty and exercise austerity, the Iranian public saw the trip as a sign of brazen hypocrisy among some senior officials whose private lives are characterized by extravagance.

This photograph taken on March 23, 2022, shows an emergency room at an Israeli field hospital, in Lviv.

In policy shift, Israel will send Ukraine defensive equipment

After unsuccessful attempts at mediation between Russia and Ukraine, Jerusalem tilts toward Kyiv.

Palestinian Muslims gather at Al-Aqsa Mosque compound following Friday prayers during the holy month of Ramadan, Jerusalem, April 15, 2022.

Israel faces diplomatic blitz over Temple Mount clashes

With all the efforts invested by the Bennett government to rehabilitate ties with Jordan, Jerusalem was surprised over the tone deployed by Amman over the Temple Mount clashes.

TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images

Nonproliferation experts push for Iran deal resurrection as talks stall

Dozens of nonproliferation experts and former officials have warned that failure to bring Iran back into compliance with the landmark accord would be "misguided, irresponsible, and dangerous."

Russian Navy's Project 22160 Patrol Vessel Dmitriy Rogachev 375 sails through the Bosphorus Strait on the way to the Black Sea past the city Istanbul as Suleymaniye mosque is seen in the background on Feb. 16, 2022.

Turkey steps up Black Sea naval activity as war rages in Ukraine

Turkey is extending its grip in the Black Sea, sending drilling ships and carrying out war games.

Iraq politics

Alliance blocks formation of new Iraqi government

An Iran-backed minority alliance has caused delays, and the process of creating a new Iraqi government may take many months.

An aerial view taken on April 12, 2022, shows the city of Mariupol, during Russia's military invasion launched on Ukraine.

Analysis

The Takeaway: Ukraine war worsens Middle East oil gap

Sudan’s Burhan accuses UN envoy; Egypt increases support for Sudan; Libya cracks down on human rights activists; Turkey’s farmers face economic pinch; Islamic State uses dust as cover in Iraq … all in less than 1,200 words!

Andrew Parasiliti

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn