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Politics & Security

US President Donald Trump walks through the Cross Hall as he arrives for a ceremony to present the Commander-in-Chief Trophy to the Navy Midshipmen football team of the United States Naval Academy in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images)

Trump announces five-day pause on Iran energy strikes after 'productive' talks

US President Trump has paused planned US strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure for five days following “productive” talks, easing tensions after a standoff over the Strait of Hormuz that rattled oil markets.

An undated image of Eran Etzion.

Interview

Ex-Israeli security official: Netanyahu pushed US, Israel into Iran war without imminent threat

Eran Etzion, a former Israeli deputy national security adviser and opposition politician, says Netanyahu might decide to prolong the war against Hezbollah and Iran even if the United States opts out.

US President Donald Trump and President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi clasp hands as they speak to the press before their meeting on Oct. 13, 2025, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

How Egypt is navigating limited options in Iran war to stay neutral

Egypt, so far spared from Iranian retaliatory attacks, is pushing for a diplomatic solution as the war with the US and Israel threatens its already fragile economy.

United Arab Emirates army helicopters fly from the Burj al Arab hotel (R) toward Burj Khalifa, Dubai, Jan. 16, 2026.

Analysis

Iran war drives Turkey-Gulf defense alignment, but not alliance

Despite accelerated cooperation as a result of the US-Israeli war on Iran, structural and political constraints would make a formal military alliance unlikely.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Latest News

Analysis

Unclear chains of command in Iran complicate Russia’s diplomatic play

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrive for a documents signing ceremony following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on January 17, 2025. (Photo by Vyacheslav PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP) (Photo by VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Anton Mardasov

By Anton Mardasov

Analysis

Meet the hard-liner who could replace Larijani as Iran’s wartime security chief

Saeed Jalili, the radical presidential candidate of Iran, among supporters at Shahada airport on July 2, 2024.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

How deployment of 4,000+ US Marines could change war in Iran

Soldiers board a US Marines CH-53 Super Stallion during an airfield seizure exercise as part of the US-Philippines Balikatan joint military exercise at San Vicente Airport in Palawan on May 1, 2024.

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

DEM Party co-chair Tuncer Bakirhan (C) walks with party members and attendees during a rally organized by the pro-Kurdish Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party

PKK leader airs cautious optimism after talks with Turkey's pro-Kurdish party

The Kurdish militant leader expressed hope for a peaceful solution to the country’s 40-year armed conflict after four-hour talks with the pro-Kurdish party.

KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images

Exclusive

Global renewables surge forward despite Trump’s climate reversals, says IRENA chief

Although Gulf countries are still heavily reliant on oil and gas, they are quickly moving toward a greener system, International Renewable Energy Agency head Francesco La Camera told Al-Monitor.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Layal al-Ekhtiar in a undated photo.

Al Arabiya journalist questioned in Lebanon for interviewing Israeli official

The case of Layal al-Ekhtiar, who interviewed Israel's Arabic-language military spokesman last year as the Gaza war raged, has divided Lebanese political opinion.

US President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, DC, March 20, 2018.

In first Trump call, Saudi crown prince says trade with US could hit $600B

US President Donald Trump spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in his first phone call to a foreign leader after his inauguration on Jan. 20.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani speaks to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair at a session during the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos on Jan. 22, 2025.

Syria FM Shibani touts 'big opportunity for investment' in country at World Economic Forum

Asaad al-Shibani said Syria is not a threat to its neighbors and defended the transitional government’s actions during the first visit by a Syrian foreign minister to the World Economic Forum.

Newly confirmed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a swearing-in ceremony at the vice president’s ceremonial office at Eisenhower Executive Office Building Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington, DC.

Rubio and Fidan hold first call as Turkey's role expands in Syria

The congratulatory call comes as Ankara ramps up threats against the Syrian Democratic Forces.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses a speech during the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 22, 2025.

UN chief optimistic for Lebanon's recovery, questions Syria's future

Antonio Guterres cautioned that there is no guarantee the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire will hold or lead to a final peace agreement, but he expressed encouragement over Lebanon's election of a president on Jan. 9, following two years of political impasse.

Thousands of supporters of the Kurdish community demonstrate with flags and banners on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the arrest of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan on the banks of the Rhine river in Cologne, western Germany, on Feb. 17, 2024.

Turkey, Kurds move toward peace deal as lawmakers meet with PKK leader Ocalan

Talks with the jailed PKK leader spark hope for ending Turkey's 40-year conflict amid shifting alliances and regional pressures.

Mourners react during a funeral service for Sozcu newspaper columnist and journalist Nedim Turkmen, his wife and his two children killed during a huge fire in a ski resort hotel in Bolu, at Marmara University Faculty of Theology Mosque in Istanbul on Jan. 22, 2025.

Turkey: Death toll from ski resort blaze rises to 79

As officials continue to play the blame game, the number of people detained as part of the investigation into the disaster has increased to 11.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio greets employees upon arrival at the State Department in Washington, DC, on January 21, 2025. The US Senate unanimously approved Rubio as Secretary of State on January 20, putting the fellow senator on the front line of President Donald Trump's often confrontational diplomacy. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

With Rubio confirmed, where do Trump's foreign policy picks stand?

After a number of hearings last week for key Trump nominees, his national security team is taking shape.

OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images

Syria’s new government ends Russian lease of Tartous port: What we know

The new authorities in Syria ended an agreement with the Russian company managing the key port of Tartous in the latest sign of Russia's waning influence in the country after the fall of the regime.

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) speaks during to the IAEA's Board of Governors meeting at the agency's headquarters in Vienna, Austria on September 11, 2023. The UN nuclear watchdog said on September 11, it regretted that "no progress" had been made by Iran on outstanding issues, including reinstalling cameras to monitor Tehran's nuclear programme and explaining uranium traces. (Photo by Alex HALADA / AFP) (Photo by ALEX HALADA/AFP via Getty Images)

Exclusive

Grossi: Trump open to new Iran nuclear deal, IAEA discussions underway

In an interview, International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Grossi said his organization was continuing discussions with Iranian officials and hopes to engage with the Trump administration about working out a transparency agreement with Iran.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech