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

politics and security cover image

Politics & Security

An EA-18G Growler assigned to Electric Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137 lands aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) while the ship is moored in Honolulu, Hawaii, during Exercise RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) 2026 on July 17, 2026.

US, Saudi Arabia strike Iran-aligned militias in Iraq as IRGC targets US forces in Jordan

The IRGC’s attempt to redraw the status quo amid an uneasy stalemate comes as White House hedges its military options and Omani officials seek to bring the two enemies back to the negotiating table.

A man stands near a boat moored along a beach on the Caspian Sea coast in Sorkhrud in Iran's northern Mazandaran province on March 24, 2026, where many families have relocated due to the ongoing war with the US and Israel. Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran on February 28, killing the Islamic republic's supreme leader and sparking a war that has since spread across the Middle East. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images) /

Analysis

Why Ukraine's strike on Iranian ship marks dangerous new phase in ties

Tehran has warned Kyiv of consequences, as pent-up tensions couple with what Iran believes is Ukrainian alignment with the US and Israel in the recent war.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan greets Iraq Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi upon his arrival in Ankara, July 28, 2026.

Explainer

Erdogan hosts Zaidi, touts ‘historic step’ in Turkey-Iraq energy ties

The Turkish president outlined Ankara’s priorities with the new Iraqi government during the Iraqi leader’s first visit to Turkey: security, energy cooperation and the Development Road.

Israel PM office

Netanyahu lauds 'excellent' Trump meeting as Israel pushes harder Iran line

Hours before the meeting, President Donald Trump signaled impatience with the Israeli leader.

Latest News

Khamenei says Hezbollah's agenda 'strategic mandate' for Iran

A giant billboard depicts late Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (2nd L), and his son Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, with Arabic writing that reads: "Thank you Iran," in Dahiyeh, Beirut's southern suburbs, on June 15, 2026.

On eighth visit, Israel’s Netanyahu seeks to repair ties with Trump

Trump Netanyahu

Zaidi to meet Erdogan as Turkey-Iraq ties take off, Kurds feel sidelined

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi speaks during a meeting with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (not pictured) at the Pentagon on July 14, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia.

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

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addresses foreign ambassadors to Iran, in Tehran on Oct. 5, 2025.

Defy or engage? Trump’s call for dialogue divides Iran’s political landscape

The Iranian leadership blasted Donald Trump's call for dialogue as "hypocritical," but Reformist voices in the country argue that the overture could offer a rare chance to break the country's deepening diplomatic isolation.

President Donald Trump poses with the signed agreement at a world leaders' summit on ending the Gaza war on Oct. 13, 2025, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

With ceasefire on shaky ground, Trump declares Gaza plan’s next phase

Major questions remain unanswered about Gaza’s future governance and security as negotiators turn their attention to the plan’s second phase.

ABDELRAHMAN RASHAD/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

FIFA, Arab League, World Bank: Who's pledging what toward Gaza’s $70B reconstruction?

More than 90% of Gaza’s residential buildings have been damaged, and nearly 70% of all structures have either been severely damaged or leveled over the course of the war.

BASHAR TALEB/AFP via Getty Images

Hamas targets opponents in violent bid to rebuild authority in Gaza

Hamas is targeting what it describes as Israel collaborators and outlaws as part of a display of power following the ceasefire.

Kurds wave Kurdistan Workers' Party flags (PKK) and flags depicting Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan, during a demonstration to call for Ocalan's liberation outside the European Council in Strasbourg, eastern France, on Sept. 15, 2025.

Exclusive

PKK leader Ocalan appeals to Iraqi Kurdistan president for help in Turkey peace talks

In a letter shared exclusively with Al-Monitor, the jailed PKK leader asks Barzani to help advance negotiations aimed at ending decades of conflict with Turkey.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Wadani party presidential candidate Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, also known as Irro, speaks during a press conference on November 10, 2024, ahead of the 2024 Somaliland presidential election.

Somaliland leader courts Ethiopia in recognition push: What to know

Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi visited Ethiopia for talks focused on security and economic cooperation as the Somali breakaway territory seeks global recognition.

US President Donald Trump speaks with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, on Oct. 13, 2025, in Jerusalem.

Analysis

Gaza deal stalls over deceased hostages after Trump’s euphoric Israel visit — is Netanyahu relieved?

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declined US President Donald Trump’s invitation to attend the Sharm el-Sheikh conference on ending the war and rebuilding Gaza.

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

US President Donald Trump (C-R) and other world leaders pose for a photo during a summit of European and Middle Eastern leaders on Oct. 13, 2025, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

Trump, in Egypt, signs Gaza peace deal, vows war 'is over'

US President Donald Trump praised his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, upon his arrival to Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh ahead of a Gaza peace summit on Monday, saying he played a “very important role” in the ceasefire agreement reached last week.

Turkey, Syria hold high-level security summit as SDF integration talks ramp up

The summit comes as Turkey and Syria coordinate over the future of the Kurdish-led SDF, amid US mediation efforts to meet the year-end integration deadline with Damascus.

US President Donald Trump speaks to the Knesset, Israel's parliament, on Oct. 13, 2025, in Jerusalem.

Trump hails Gaza hostage deal in Knesset speech, vows to expand Abraham Accords

In a triumphant speech at the Knesset, US President Donald Trump hailed the release of surviving hostages from Gaza and pledged support for Gaza’s reconstruction and the expansion of the Abraham Accords.