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

politics and security cover image

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

Lisa Ferdinando/US Department of Defense via Getty Images

Analysis

Islamic State still 'global operation,' says Pentagon report

Islamic State leader's killing prompted questions on Turkey's role; our reporting from Idlib, Syria.

Week in Review

By Week in Review

Captagon smuggling

Saudis bust more Captagon smugglers

The stimulant is widely sold and used in the Middle East, creating a market worth billions of dollars.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Raisi: Iran 'never has hope' in Vienna talks

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has struck a pessimistic tone commenting on the nuclear talks between Iran and world powers.

Israel's President Isaac Herzog speaks at al-Wasl Dome at Expo 2020 Dubai during Israel's expo National Day in the gulf emirate, Jan. 31, 2022.

Israel's Herzog leads rapprochement with Turkey

Jerusalem is well aware that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has a long list of own interests behind his rapprochement campaign.

Members of the Belarusian Army take part in a parade at Fort Tiuna, held as part of the celebrations of the Bicentenary of the Venezuelan independence, in Caracas on April 19, 2010.

Belarus leader denies Russian claims about sending troops to Syria

Belarus’ leader has said a Russian government document claiming an agreement with Moscow to send Belarusian troops to Syria is false.

Children sit along a fence at a camp for displaced Syrians in Deir Hassan village, in Idlib's northern countryside near the Turkish border, March 5, 2020.

Jihadi leader's donation to IDP camps in Syria questioned as PR stunt

Some observers feel that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani's donation of $1 million to displaced camp residents is more about public relations than benevolence.

KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images

Egypt’s top judiciary body opens door to women for first time

Egyptian women can apply to join the State Council, a top judicial body, after 76 years of the council being limited to men.

Arrest drug smugglers

Baghdad announces crackdown on drug trafficking, gangs in Maysan

Security file in Maysan governorate has become a priority for the Iraqi government following assassinations, armed tribal conflicts, organized crime and drug trafficking.

A fully veiled woman collects items near the house in which the leader of Islamic State (IS) group Amir Mohammed Said Abd al-Rahman al-Mawla, aka Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi died during a raid by US special forces, in the town of Atme in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, on Feb. 4, 2022.

US raid raises questions on Turkey’s commitment vs. Islamic State

The Islamic State leader’s hideout a stone’s throw away from Turkey's border and Syrian Democratic Forces involvement in the raid have raised fresh questions over Ankara’s fight against the Islamic State.

MAHMUD TURKIA/AFP via Getty Images

What to expect now that Libya’s prime minister ousted

Libya’s controversial prime minister has been removed, but forcing his ouster could prove costly for the country.

AFP via Getty Images

Iran hard-liners overjoyed with new missile

Iran’s hard-liners are having a moment of patriotic jubilation with the unveiling of a new long-range missile with a menacing name.

BERTRAND GUAY/AFP via Getty Images

Afghan evacuees in UAE protest US resettlement delay

From their shelter in Abu Dhabi, the protesters demanded they be resettled in the United States.

United Arab Emirates