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

politics and security cover image

Politics & Security

Iranian walks past a giant billboard reading "The Strait of Hormuz remains closed" at the Revolution Square in Tehran on April 22, 2026.

Iran floats ‘plan B’ to defuse Hormuz standoff, delay nuclear talks

The proposal would postpone negotiations over Iran's nuclear program in an attempt to break the deadlock.

People walk along an alley at a bazaar in Bahrain's capital, Manama, on March 11, 2026.

Bahrain strips 69 people of citizenship for 'glorifying' Iran attacks

The revocations were carried out under legal provisions allowing the state to strip nationality from individuals whose actions are deemed to threaten national security.

Ali al-Zaidi

Breaking | Last Updated: April 27, 2026, 3:43 pm

Iraq's Shiite alliance nominates Ali al-Zaidi as PM candidate: What to know

Ali al-Zaidi, who leads a bank accused of money laundering, received support from previous nominee Nouri al-Maliki and incumbent Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, though it remains unclear whether the Trump administration will approve of him.

Lebanese president Joseph Aoun (L) stands next to the parliament speaker Nabih Berri as he delivers a speech at the parliament building in Beirut Jan. 9, 2025.

'Treason is war for external interests': Lebanon’s Aoun hits back at Hezbollah

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun rejects Hezbollah’s criticism of talks with Israel, insisting negotiations are aimed at ending hostilities and saying “treason” is taking the country to war for external interests.

Latest News

Turkey’s military spending jumps to $30B, leads Mideast growth in 2025

Turkey's submarines and fast-attack craft ships participate in the live-fire phase of the Blue Homeland-2026 (Mavi Vatan) tactical military exercises in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, in Antalya on April 9, 2026.

Iran FM meets Putin, Russia’s military intel chief as talks stall: What to know

Iran FM meets Putin and Russia’s military intel chief as talks stall: What to know

Analysis

Turning point on Israel? Democrats’ Senate vote signals shift driven by Iran, Gaza wars

The US Capitol building is shown on April 20, 2026, in Washington.

Jared Szuba

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

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

SDF fighters wave flags and flash victory signs from a vehicle during a convoy procession in Aleppo, Syria, on April 9, 2025.

After weeks of threats, is Turkey softening line on Syrian SDF?

Turkey’s dialing down of rhetoric may be linked to ongoing Israel-Damascus security talks, an expert told Al-Monitor.

Libyan soldiers take part in a military parade marking the 82nd anniversary of the Libyan army, in the capital Tripoli on Aug. 9, 2022.

Libya: Tripoli’s fragile peace shaken by renewed fighting, military buildup

Recent weeks have seen multiple clashes and security incidents in the Libyan capital, raising concerns from both the United States and the United Nations.

A K9A2 Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) from Hanwha is seen on day one of the Defense and Security Equipment International (DSEI) fair at ExCel on Sept. 12, 2023 in London, England.

UK bans Israeli officials from major defense fair: What to know

After suspending trade talks and sanctioning Israeli far-right ministers, the British government barred an official Israeli delegation from a major London defense fair.

DELPHINE TOUITOU/AFP via Getty Images

Over 800 executed in Iran this year as UN warns real situation may be worse

Iranian authorities have executed over 800 people since the start of this year in what the UN said was an alarming increase of executions compared to the same period last year.

Two men look at houses destroyed in Israeli attacks, July 12, 2025, Tehran.

Analysis

Push for better US deal or go for round 2? Israeli leadership split on Iran

The E3 move with the United States and Israel's coordination to trigger renewed sanctions on Iran is a milestone for Israeli policy.

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

His Excellency Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, president of the Federal Republic of Somalia (R), received His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, minister of state, at the start of a working visit to the Somali capital, Mogadishu, on Aug. 28, 2025.

Somalia, UAE hold talks as tensions simmer over Puntland, Somaliland

The visit occurred on the same day that Somalia's president met with Sudan’s intelligence chief.

United Arab Emirates

Pierre Crom/Getty Images)

Turkey’s Erdogan to visit China for first time in five years for SCO summit

The SCO summit comes as Ankara walks a tightrope between maintaining close ties with Washington and diversifying its foreign partnerships.

unifil

UN Security Council renews Lebanon peacekeeping mission for one year

The compromise vote gives Lebanon's army buffer time to meet US demands to fill security vacuum in the country's south before a planned withdrawal of UN peacekeepers in 2027.

MAHMOUD ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon's army receives 8 truckloads of weapons from Palestinian camps

The army received weapons from several Palestinian refugee camps in the south, following a similar handover last week from a camp in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

Ben Stansall - WPA/Getty Images

UK, France, Germany trigger snapback sanctions on Iran

The three countries set an end-of-month deadline for Iran to cooperate over its nuclear program.

Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Turkey detains top execs of defense firm Assan in military espionage probe

The company’s 10 subsidiaries have been placed under the control of Turkey's state-run Savings Deposit Insurance Fund.