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Politics & Security

Ahmed al-Alwani in an undated photo

Ex-Iraqi MP Ahmed Alwani found dead in Lebanon: What to know

Ahmed al-Alwani was a prominent leader of anti-government protests by Iraqi Sunnis in 2013, and was released from prison last year.

Iranian-made Zolfaghar missiles

Iran unveils new underground 'missile city': What to know

Iran has moved much of its missile stockpile underground as the threat of a new war looms.

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.

Latest News

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

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Jared Szuba

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

Explainer

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

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

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

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

Demonstrators gather to protest outside the Israeli Knesset.

Israeli citizenship law blocks Palestinian family reunification

Israel’s Knesset approved a controversial law barring Palestinians' family reunification, furthering the suffering of many Palestinians married to Arabs in Israel.

This picture taken during a government-guided tour shows police officers standing at the gate of Al-Qanatir women's prison, Qalyoubiya province, Egypt, Dec. 27, 2020.

Egyptian council holds first ever meeting with human rights, civil society leaders

For the first time, Egypt’s state National Council for Human Rights met with independent human rights organizations, which have long been accused by the government of colluding with Western parties.

captagon

Saudi authorities find Captagon in Jeddah, hash in Mecca

Saudi authorities have seized Captagon shipments on numerous occasions in recent months.

WOJTEK RADWANSKI/AFP via Getty Images

African Union demands protection for Africans fleeing Ukraine war

The African Union has expressed concern for the "shocking racist treatment" of Africans fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Michael White Iran

Analysis

US Navy veteran detained by Iran sues over alleged torture

Michael White, who was imprisoned by Iran for nearly two years, spoke to Al-Monitor about his newly filed federal lawsuit against Tehran.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

Erdogan

Analysis

Russia-Ukraine war recasts Turkish policies and priorities

Erdogan sees opportunity in Ukraine crisis, including enhanced global role and dramatic reset in ties with Israel, as he weighs next steps in Libya and elections next year.

Week in Review

By Week in Review

TSAFRIR ABAYOV/AFP via Getty Images

Israel calls on US not to delist IRGC as terror group

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid appealed directly to Washington in a statement, listing the connections between Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and terrorism.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

How Turkey’s election bill could backfire on Erdogan’s ruling party

An upcoming change to Turkey's election law could boomerang and hurt Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling party.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) welcomes Israel's President Isaac Herzog (R).

Israel-Turkey rapprochement complicates Ukraine mediation efforts

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seem to be competing for a mediator role between Russia and Ukraine, but are they?

Matan Kahana

Israel’s minister of religious affairs appoints women as latest reform

Minister of Religious Affairs Matan Kahana's appointment of women, as well as changes to kosher supervision and to conversion law, have drawn the enmity of the ultra-Orthodox community.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Erdogan steps up pro-refugee rhetoric as 20,000 Ukrainians come to Turkey

The Turkish president’s pro-refugee rhetoric aims to deliver a positive message to Western allies and slash the opposition, but activists wonder if it is sincere.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran says nuclear deal within closest reach yet

The statements reflected fresh hope by Iran after Russia said its separate demands were being met by the United States.