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Politics & Security

People attend a pro-government rally on Jan. 12, 2026, in Tehran, Iran.

Iran ramps up crackdown, vows 'to cut off hand' that threatens Khamenei

Iran doubled down on the narrative that the protesters were "Israel-linked mercenaries," as international calls grew for the regime's accountability after its bloody crackdown on the unrest.

Soldiers walk past a parked car as Syrian government forces make their way to the city of Hasakeh in northeastern Syria on Jan. 20, 2026.

Syria’s Kurds accept sweetened ceasefire deal as US envoy Barrack declares SDF obsolete

The ceasefire follows intense clashes and a rapid Syrian military advance in the Kurdish-held northeast, amid concerns over ISIS prisoners.

Joris Bolomey / AFP via Getty Images

Sudan's RSF says Chad border clashes 'unintentional' after 7 soldiers killed

Chad, which Sudan’s government accuses of backing the paramilitary RSF, said that the incursion killed seven Chadian soldiers.

Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani, meet on the sidelines of the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX2026), Jan. 20, 2026.

Somalia, Qatar sign defense pact after Mogadishu scraps UAE deals: What to know

Somalia and Qatar signed a defense cooperation agreement in Doha on Monday to strengthen bilateral military ties and security collaboration, days after Mogadishu ended all its contracts with the United Arab Emirates.

Latest News

Analysis

Israel assesses Iran protest wave over, regrets not targeting Khamenei

A protester holds up a portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a demonstration near the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad, on Jan. 16, 2026.

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

Trump demands end to clashes with Kurds in call with Syria's Sharaa

US President Donald Trump meets with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House, Nov. 10, 2025.

Erdogan welcomes Syria-SDF agreement, urges full implementation

DAMASCUS, SYRIA - JANUARY 18: Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa signs a ceasefire agreement with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on January 18, 2026 in Damascus, Syria. According to Syrian state media, the deal includes a handover of Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa governates into government control, and the full integration of SDF fighters into state institutions. It follows the government's recent push towards the key city of Raqqa, after SDF fighters withdrew from Aleppo amid deadly clashes over the

Iran blackout enters 12th day as filtered internet reveals crackdown

Pedestrians make their way along a path at Tehran Grand Bazaar, on Jan. 18, 2026 in Tehran, Iran.

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

A view of the destruction by the Israeli military of Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip on July 29, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas militant group.

Exclusive

Inside the Palestinian Authority’s day-after plan for Gaza

A proposal obtained by Al-Monitor outlines the Palestinian Authority’s plan for unified governance across the West Bank and Gaza, but its implementation hinges on whether Israel and Hamas can agree to a cease-fire.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

US journalist Evan Gershkovich, arrested on espionage charges, stands inside a defendants' cage after a hearing to consider an appeal on his extended pretrial detention, at the first court of appeal in Moscow, April 23, 2024.

US-Russian prisoner swap including Evan Gershkovich completed in Turkey

The US and Russia exchanged dozens of prisoners, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, on Thursday in the Turkish capital of Ankara.

A Palestinian praysfollowing an Israeli military strike on the al-Mawasi camp for internally displaced people (IDP), near the city of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, July 13, 2024.

Israeli military confirms Hamas’ Mohammed Deif killed in strike

The leader of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades had eluded capture or assassination by Israel for more than two decades.

Saied Iravani, Iranian ambassador to the UN, attends a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, at UN Headquarters on July 31, 2024, in New York City.

US troops may be in crosshairs as Iran blames US for Haniyeh killing

Iraqi militia Harakat al-Nujaba warned that the United States and Israel had "opened the gates of hell" following a US airstrike south of Baghdad that US officials said was unrelated to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran just hours later.

Palestinians carry a placard bearing the image of the leader of the militant Hamas group during a protest in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron on July 31, 2024, denouncing his killing.

Iran vows revenge for Haniyeh killing amid questions over security failures

The attack exposed vulnerabilities in Iran's long-fought intelligence war with Israel and stirred up debates on possible Israeli infiltration within the Islamic Republic's security apparatus.

The Palestinian Hamas movement's leader Ismail Haniyeh flashes the victory sign following a speech at a public rally during his visit to the southern Lebanese city of Saida, on June 26, 2022. (Photo by MAHMOUD ZAYYAT / AFP) (Photo by MAHMOUD ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Who was Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas political leader assassinated in Iran?

The Qatar-based Haniyeh became Hamas’ political chief in 2017 after ascending the group’s ranks and helped repair relations with Iran.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas listens as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (not pictured) speaks during a meeting in Ankara, on March 5, 2024.

Abbas to visit Turkey mid August as both condemn Haniyeh’s killing

The visit is scheduled amid rising tensions after the Hamas leader's assassination in Tehran, with experts urging Turkey to exercise caution vis-a-vis Hamas amid regional instability.

Burhand leaves a helicopter in Gibet

Sudan’s army chief Burhan survives drone strike: military

The attack was the first of its kind against the Sudanese army in the Red Sea state, which had been relatively spared the fighting between the military and the rival Rapid Support Forces.

Ismail Haniyeh, the Doha-based political bureau chief of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, speaks to the press after a meeting with the Iranian foreign minister in Tehran on March 26, 2024. Haniyeh's visit to Tehran comes a day after a resolution adopted by the UN Security Council called for an "immediate ceasefire" for the ongoing Muslim holy month of Ramadan, leading to a "lasting" truce. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh killed while visiting Iran

While no party has claimed responsibility, the Gaza-based militant group immediately accused Israel of being behind the killing.

A paramilitary of the Hashed al-shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) forces stands guard during the funeral of a comrade, who died in American air strikes targeting Iran-backed groups the day before, at the Hashed al-shaabi forces' headquarters in Baghdad on January 25, 2024.

US strikes Iran-backed militia in Iraq amid Hezbollah-Israel tensions

Pentagon officials are anticipating blowback from Iran-backed militias in the Middle East after an Israeli airstrike killed a senior Hezbollah commander in south Beirut.

Jared Szuba

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

Fuad Shukr in an undated photo

Analysis

Who is Fuad Shukr, senior Hezbollah military official targeted by Israel in Beirut?

The US government accuses Shukr of playing a key role in the 1983 bombing of US Marines in Lebanon, and he was a significant figure in Hezbollah's military apparatus, according to an expert.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

New Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is greeted as he arrives for the swearing in ceremony at the parliament in Tehran, on July 30, 2024.

Hamas and Hezbollah officials in Iran for Pezeshkian’s inauguration, France’s Macron calls

Officials from the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia went to President Masoud Pezeshkian’s inauguration in Tehran amid significant tensions in the region.