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Politics & Security

Janti Soeripto helps at a community kitchen serving hot meals to displaced families arriving from El-Fasher.

Interview

As Sudan war drags on, US-Iran conflict compounds humanitarian crisis in Darfur

Save the Children US President and CEO Janti Soeripto said delivering aid in Sudan remains extremely difficult, with supply trucks often delayed for weeks or months even after entering the country.

Janti Soeripto

President and CEO of Save the Children US

SAHA EXPO 2024

Analysis

Cheap drones, costly threats: Why Gulf states are looking to Turkey for defense deals

Iran’s drone and missile attacks have exposed gaps in Gulf and Iraqi air defenses, giving Turkey an opening for Turkish defense sales, but Ankara has a narrow window before South Korean and European competitors gain ground.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Women hold portraits of jailed Islamist cleric Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir during a protest calling for his release in Beirut on April 24, 2025.

Explainer

Why Sunni frustration is growing over Lebanon’s amnesty law

Parliament speaker Nabih Berri postponed a parliamentary session scheduled to vote on a draft general amnesty law following disagreements about who should benefit from the measure, including Islamist detainees.

Abdullah DOMA / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

US, Turkey boost Libya coordination, but unity push faces political hurdles

Washington and Ankara are stepping up coordination on efforts to unify Libya’s divided institutions, but analysts warn that major financial and political obstacles remain.

Ezgi Akin

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

Latest News

Analysis

How far will Iran bend in ceasefire talks with US?

An Iranian police office stands on patrol near a poster depicting Iranian soldiers holding a net in the shape of the Strait of Hormuz, with US military aircraft ensnared in a fishing net, on May 9, 2026 in Tehran, Iran.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Tulsi Gabbard resigns as top US intelligence official: What to know

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testifies during a House Select Intelligence Committee hearing on March 19, 2026, in Washington, DC.

Analysis

Erdogan’s CHP move raises early poll prospects as Iran war bleeds Turkey’s economy

Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel, speaks to the media at CHP headquarters on May 22, 2026, in Ankara, Turkey.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Analysis

As Pakistan military chief holds Iran talks, Israel's Netanyahu fears being left out

AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images

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

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

Libyan security forces stand guard at the entrance of Abu Salim Zoo as workers carry out maintance work in the capital Tripoli on May 28, 2025. From May 12 to 15, the Libyan capital was rocked by fighting between an armed group aligned with the Tripoli-based government and factions it has sought to dismantle. Relative calm has since returned, but the situation remains highly volatile as calls grow for the resignation of Dbeibah (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Dbeibeh’s militia gambit: Power consolidation or prelude to more Libya chaos?

Despite the Tripoli-based government's attempts to rein in militias in the capital following clashes, the long-standing issues and disputes will not be resolved any time soon.

Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Turkish House.

Analysis

With Iran in decline, can Israel and Turkey align on Syria deconfliction?

Much has yet to be resolved in the deconfliction talks between Turkey and Israel over Syria, but analysts and former officials say Ankara holds more cards, especially amid US President Donald Trump’s push to engage with Syria’s new leadership.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

With over 700 arrests, Iran regime turns inward to thwart Israeli infiltration

Following its intelligence failures during the 12-day war with Israel, Iran is launching a sweeping internal clampdown with mass arrests and accelerated executions, in what critics have likened to a "wounded snake" lashing out in revenge.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

A member of the US Airforce looks on near a Patriot missile battery at the Prince Sultan air base in Al-Kharj, in central Saudi Arabia on February 20, 2020. (Photo by Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Defense and diplomacy: Gulf states recalibrate after Iran’s retaliation at Al Udeid

As Tehran strikes Al Udeid and a Trump-brokered truce halts escalation, Gulf states weigh their vulnerabilities and options amid fears of future conflict.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Comeback kid: Will Netanyahu ride Iran war boost to new elections?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is well positioned to leverage the military operation against Iran and its US support to win back many Israeli voters.

Mazal Mualem

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

Former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin arrives to attend a church service for former French President Jacques Chirac at the Saint-Sulpice church in Paris on September 30, 2019. - Former French President Jacques Chirac died on September 26, 2019 at the age of 86.

Interview

Former French PM says Trump has ‘immense opportunity’ in Mideast

Dominique de Villepin, who recently announced a new political party, says in an exclusive written interview with Al-Monitor that France has a vital role to play in promoting regional cooperation.

Dominique de Villepin

Dominique de Villepin

Former French prime minister

CEO of Colony Capital Tom Barrack speaks during the Republican National Convention at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on July 21, 2016.

Exclusive

US Syria envoy Barrack to meet Iraqi Kurdish PM Barzani in Erbil

Tom Barrack is likely to also meet with SDF chief Mazloum Kobane, sources told Al-Monitor.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, DC, Feb. 4, 2025.

Analysis

How Trump’s call to end Netanyahu’s trial is linked to broader Gaza deal

The coordinated effort, involving an agreement with Hamas and expansion of the Abraham Accords, also envisions a Nobel Peace Prize for Trump and a pardon for Netanyahu.

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