Politics & Security - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

politics and security cover image

Politics & Security

Antonio Masiello/Getty Images

Quick Take

Italy appoints ambassador to Syria in latest sign of European thaw

Syria’s relations with the international community are gradually improving amid the ongoing civil war.

TOPSHOT - US President Joe Biden (L) and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency William J. Burns, wait for a briefing on Ukraine in the Oval Office of the White House October 5, 2023, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Regional View

CIA, Mossad chiefs head to Rome to discuss Gaza cease-fire

Mossad chief David Barnea, CIA chief William Burns, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel — the four figures leading the talks for a potential deal between Israel and Hamas — are set to meet on Sunday in Rome to continue negotiations.

MAXIM SHEMETOV/AFP via Getty Images

Russia, Turkey FMs meet in Laos, discuss Syria reconciliation efforts

The two top diplomats’ talks come after the Russian and Syrian presidents discussed the Turkish president’s invitation to hold a three-country leaders' summit with his Syrian counterpart after more than a decade of hostilities.

Ezgi Akin

By Ezgi Akin

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

FAIZ ABU RMELEH/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Hamas calls for avenging death of West Bank leader in Israel jail

A Hamas leader in the West Bank died while in Israeli custody after he was allegedly denied medical treatment.

Beatrice Farhat

By Beatrice Farhat

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Latest News

Ankara brushes off Iraqi first lady’s accusations labeling Turkey as 'invader'

Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed (L), the wife of Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, comforts a Kurdish woman during a ceremony marking the Anfal mass killings, after corpses were transferred from Baghdad to the Kurdish town of Chamchamal for burial, on February 21, 2024.

Al-Monitor Staff

By Al-Monitor Staff

Biden presses Netanyahu to close gap with Hamas on cease-fire talks

Meeting between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on July 25, 2024.

Al-Monitor Staff

By Al-Monitor Staff

Analysis

Turkey’s opposition fears political motives behind stray dog bill

A stray dog sits in front of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Aug. 23, 2022.

Ezgi Akin

By Ezgi Akin

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

UAE, China, Russia, Turkey violating Sudan arms embargo: Amnesty

A fighter loyal to Sudan's army chief, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, holds a weapon during a graduation ceremony in Gedaref state, May 27, 2024.

Beatrice Farhat

By Beatrice Farhat

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Analysis

Netanyahu delivers defiant speech, remains weak leader as Israel struggles in Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to address a joint gathering of Congress in the chamber of the House of Representatives at the US Capitol, Washington, DC, July 24, 2024.

By Ben Caspit

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

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Ben Caspit

Israel Columnist

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

Elizabeth Hagedorn

State Department Correspondent

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

Sabena Siddiqui

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

Daoud Kuttab

Palestine Columnist

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Jared Szuba

Pentagon Correspondent

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

VALERY SHARIFULIN/AFP via Getty Images

Syria’s Assad meets Putin in Russia amid Turkey dialogue push

Russia has been the main backer of President Bashar al-Assad’s forces against rebels throughout the Syrian civil war.

Beatrice Farhat

By Beatrice Farhat

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

This picture taken on October 29, 2023, in Istanbul shows Turkish naval forces warship Frigates TCG F 497, Goksu sails during a military naval parade on Bosphorus to mark 100th anniversary celebrations of Turkish republic.

Somaliland warns against Turkey's naval deployment off Somalia's coast

The Turkish parliament will soon vote on a two-year mandate allowing the Turkish army to dispatch troops to Somali waters.

Ezgi Akin

By Ezgi Akin

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

A police officer is seen in front of the Blue Mosque, housing the Islamic Centre of Hamburg, northern Germany, on July 24, 2024.

Regional View

Iran summons German ambassador, furious over Islamic center closure

Iran, which has been running similar foundations in several Western countries, condemned the ban as an act of Islamophobia after Berlin found the center to be propagating "extremism and fundamentalism."

Amir Levy/Getty Images

Analysis

Are Israel, Egypt inching closer to deal on Gaza’s Philadelphi Corridor?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists that Israel must preserve physical control over the Philadelphi Corridor, but security officials are offering other solutions.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

A letter penned to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas from former US President Donald Trump.

Quick Take

Trump posts letter from Palestinian president ahead of Netanyahu meeting

Former President Donald Trump said it was “so nice” of the Palestinian president to send the letter after the recent assassination attempt, calling him by his first name Mahmoud.

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 03: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks about Iran during a joint meeting of the United States Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol March 3, 2015 in Washington, DC. At the risk of further straining the relationship between Israel and the Obama Administration, Netanyahu warned members of Congress against what he considers an ill-advised nuclear deal with Iran. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Regional View

Boycotts, Gaza protests: What to expect from Netanyahu’s Congress address

Vice President Kamala Harris is skipping the speech, and protests could erupt in the chamber over Israel’s war in Gaza.

US Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Douglas Emhoff descend from Air Force Two at Delaware National Air Guard base in New Castle, Delaware, on July 22, 2024.

Analysis

What Kamala Harris has said on Israel, Gaza war

Vice President Kamala Harris is unlikely to significantly deviate from President Joe Biden’s line on Israel during the election campaign, but she could harshen the tone if elected president.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Radical cleric Anjem Choudary is seen leaving a probation hostel in London on Oct. 19, 2018, following his release from prison.

Quick Take

What’s behind UK's terrorism conviction of Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary?

Choudary was previously imprisoned for his support of ISIS and has long campaigned for the imposition of Islamic law in the UK.

Debris litters a loading dock a day after Israeli strikes on the port of Yemen's Houthi-held city of Hodeida on July 21, 2024.

Analysis

Israel’s Yemen attack against Houthis warning to nuclear Iran

While concerns grow in Israel over the continued drone and missile attacks by the Houthis in Yemen, the real threat remains that of Iran.

By Ben Caspit

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

(L-R) Mahmoud al-Aloul, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of Palestinian organisation and political party Fatah, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Mussa Abu Marzuk, senior member of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, attend an event at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on July 23, 2024. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on July 23 hailed an agreement by 14 Palestinian factions to set up an "interim national reconciliation government" to govern Gaza after the war. (Photo by Pedro Pardo

Regional View

'The Beijing Declaration,' China brokers Hamas-Fatah unity deal: What we know

China’s role in the region has been growing in recent years, reaching its peak with the signing of a declaration by Palestinian factions in which they agreed to form a unity government.

A US Army armored vehicle flies an American flag as it provides security escort for a convoy of vehicles pulling equipment that is heading to Kuwait from Camp Adder as the Army continues to send it's soldiers and equipment home and the base is prepared to be handed back to the Iraqi government later this month on December 2, 2011, at Camp Adder, near Nasiriyah, Iraq.

Quick Take

US resumes talks with Iraq over future of troop presence

Negotiations between the Biden administration and a senior Iraqi delegation resumed in Washington on Monday as Baghdad has sought to establish an end-of-mission timeline for the 2,500 US troops that remain in their country.

US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during an NCAA championship team celebration on the South Lawn of the White House on July 22, 2024, in Washington.

Quick Take

From Gaza to Iran: What Kamala Harris’ Middle East policy could look like

Harris has been described as more critical of Israel than President Joe Biden, but with similar views on Iran and relations with regional leaders, including in the Gulf.