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

politics and security cover image

Politics & Security

JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images

UAE cuts UK student funding amid Muslim Brotherhood fears

London has not banned the group as a terrorist organization, but UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said the option is under "close review."

United Arab Emirates

Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Kermanshah, Iran on January 8, 2026. The nationwide protests started in Tehran's Grand Bazaar against the failing economic policies in late December, which spread to universities and other cities, and included economic slogans, to political and anti-government ones. (Photo by Kamran / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel on alert amid Iran unrest, sees 'next few days' critical for regime

Israeli assessments indicate that while Iran’s leadership has not shown signs of fully losing control, the situation could change as protests continue.

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

Kamran / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Flights from UAE, Qatar and Turkey canceled to Iran as protests grow

Several airlines canceled their flights to Iranian cities as the protests continue to grow despite a communication blackout.

US Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos (L) meets with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, Jan. 8, 2026.

US envoy pushes for Sudan truce in meeting with UAE’s MBZ after talks in Saudi Arabia

Boulos’ meeting in Abu Dhabi follows discussions earlier this week in Riyadh, as the two Gulf countries navigate both Sudan diplomacy and a dispute over Yemen.

Latest News

Iran sees largest protest day as regime cuts internet: What to know

A protester flashes victory signs as traffic slows during demonstrations in Hamedan, Iran, on Jan. 1, 2026.

Interview

Top Syrian Kurdish official Foza Yusuf says war with Damascus lose-lose for all

An undated image of Foza Yusif.

Foza Yusuf

Foza Yusuf

Meet Aidarus Zubaidi: Separatist leader at heart of Yemen’s power struggle

SALEH AL-OBEIDI/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey's Fidan says Israel ties harden SDF stance as Syria clashes grow

ATTA KENARE / 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

Israeli army forces patrol in the village of Kfarshuba, southern Lebanon, Feb. 17, 2025.

Analysis

Israel’s two-pronged Lebanon strategy: Pursue border deal, strike Hezbollah

Israel is trying to negotiate a border demarcation with the Lebanese government while continuing to keep Hezbollah in check.

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

Syria electrical poles

In boost to Sharaa, Qatar to supply electricity to Syria via Jordan: What we know

Qatar will begin supplying natural gas to Syria via Jordan to generate 400 megawatts of electricity daily via Jordan. Sources indicated to Reuters that Jordan secured US approval.

Turkish policemen try to secure the area after a strong explosion of unknown origin shook the busy shopping street of Istiklal in Istanbul, on Nov. 13, 2022.

Turkey detains 5 in alleged Iran spy ring as Syria tensions brew: What we know

The spy bust comes amid diplomatic strains between Turkey and Iran that surfaced after a rare rebuke of Tehran by Turkey's top diplomat.

TOPSHOT - A Palestinian boy picks flowers close to the rubble of destroyed buildings in the Bureij camp for Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza Strip on March 11, 2025. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP) (Photo by EYAD BABA/AFP via Getty Images)

US, Israel looking to resettle Gaza's Palestinians in Somalia, Somaliland, Sudan: Report

Israeli and American officials have been in contact with Sudan, Somalia and Somaliland for the possible resettling of Gazans there, the Associated Press reported.

Women pass by a wall covered with photos of hostages that were kidnaped to the Gaza Strip during Hamas deadly attack on Jan. 6, 2025 in Kfar Saba, Israel.

US slams Hamas offer to release American Edan Alexander

US special envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff said Hamas faces a fast-approaching deadline to accept Washington’s proposed ceasefire extension.

Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa receives the country's constitutional declaration, which will be enforced throughout a five-year transitional period, before signing it at the presidential palace in Damascus on March 13, 2025. Sharaa said he hoped the constitutional declaration would mark the start of "a new history for Syria, where we replace oppression with justice", as he signed the document setting out the transitional period. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP) (Photo by BAKR ALKASEM/AFP via Getty I

Syria's draft constitution: Separation of powers, territorial unity and Islamic jurisprudence

After more than a week of uncertainty amid violent clashes and Israeli strikes, Syria's interim president has signed a constitutional declaration.

A picture shows a military drone on display at an exhibition held by Yemen's Huthi group in the capital Sanaa on Nov. 19, 2024.

Houthis using Chinese-made hydrogen fuel cells to build stealthier drones: Report

A new report reveals that the Houthis are incorporating Chinese-made hydrogen fuel cells into their drones, potentially improving their range and reducing detection by air defenses.

Lebanese government meets

Meet Lebanon's new military, security chiefs after leadership shake-up

Lebanon's government has approved the appointment of new heads of security and military institutions.

A member of the Syrian security forces stands guard at the site of an Israeli air strike on a building in Damascus in an area where Palestinian leaders are known to reside, on March 13, 2025.

Israel confirms strikes in Syria's capital, says targeted Islamic Jihad: What we know

The aerial attack came after Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa stated that Syria does not pose a threat to its neighbors and amid ongoing Israeli strikes.

Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan looks on during a press briefing meeting to review the past year and to share insights regarding regional and global developments in Istanbul, on January 10, 2025. Turkey's top diplomat ruled out any role for French troops in Syria on January 10, 2025, saying Washington was its only interlocutor as US officials sought to head off Turkish military action against Kurdish fighters. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP) (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

Senior Turkey delegation visits Syria following Sharaa-SDF deal

Turkey’s top diplomat, intelligence and defense chiefs have arrived in Damascus following a key deal between Syria’s new rulers and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

Eurofighter jet

Turkey receives price offer for 40 Eurofighter jets amid Trump-EU rift

Ankara's Eurofighter procurement plans are progressing as mutual intents grow in defense cooperation between Ankara and European capitals.

Displaced Palestinian children queue to get a portion of cooked food from a charity kitchen in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, ahead of the iftar fast-breaking meal during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on March 9, 2025. Israel's energy minister said on March 9 he had given instructions to stop supplying electricity to Gaza, a week after Israel blocked all aid into the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP) (Photo by OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP via Getty Images)

Gaza ceasefire in doubt as Israel tightens grip on aid

By squeezing Gaza’s civilian population, Israel hopes to pressure Hamas into extending the ceasefire on its terms.