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

politics and security cover image

Politics & Security

RAQQA, SYRIA - JANUARY 19: Syrian government forces are deployed near Al-Aqtan prison on January 19, 2026 in Raqqa, Syria. Yesterday, the Syrian government announced that a nationwide ceasefire deal had been reached with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who had been clashing with government forces in recent weeks. The Kurdish-led force, a long-time ally of the United States in the fight against ISIS, had controlled large swaths of northwest Syria during the years of the country's civil war. T

US military airlifts Syria ISIS prisoners to Iraq after SDF retreat: What to know

The airlift underscored the speed with which Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s forces took control of camps and prisons previously secured by US-backed and Kurdish-led militias.

Jared Szuba

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

A member of the Alawite community pastes on a wall, in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli , on December 6, 2007, pictures of Syrian opposition leader Rifaat al-Assad (R) and his son Ribal.

Rifaat al-Assad, perpetrator of Syria's 1982 Hama massacre, dies at 88

Known for his role in the 1982 Hama massacre, the late member of Syria’s former ruling family oversaw the killing of tens of thousands of civilians.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (L) and Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas (R) arrive for their talks in Moscow on May 10, 2025.

Russia to host PA’s Abbas as Putin mulls joining Trump's Gaza Board of Peace

President Mahmoud Abbas’ visit will coincide with the signing ceremony of the Trump administration's Board of Peace charter on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday.

US President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on Jan. 21, 2026.

Trump warns Hamas will be 'blown away' if it fails to disarm

“They were born with a weapon in their hands, so it's not easy to do," Trump said.

Latest News

Turkey, Israel, Pakistan to join Trump's Board of Peace as Italy hedges: What to know

US President Donald Trump greets Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a world leaders' summit on ending the Gaza war on Oct. 13, 2025 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

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

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

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

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.

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

Joris Bolomey / 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 policemen search the scene where an explosion took place in Tel Aviv, July 19, 2024.

Yemen's Houthis claim responsibility for deadly drone attack in Israel

One man was killed and ten injured when a drone exploded Friday morning in the center of Tel Aviv.

White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan arrives at the U.S. Capitol on April 18, 2024, in Washington, DC.

White House envoy McGurk heads to Jordan, UAE ahead of Netanyahu’s US visit

President Joe Biden is expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week as Washington doubles down on its pursuit of a cease-fire in Gaza and initial steps toward Palestinian statehood.

Two Iranian women are walking in the street of Tehran with optional covering.

Women activists face 'severe sentences' in Iran, as new president vows easing of restrictions

A woman labor activist was sentenced to death in Iran for allegedly belonging to an outlawed Kurdish group, as authorities continue their crackdown against any type of dissent.

Iraq's new first lady and Iraqi-Kurdish politician and writer Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed receives a bouquet of flowers during her husband's inauguration and handover ceremony as the new Iraqi president at al-Salam Palace in the capital Baghdad on Oct. 17, 2022.

Iraq’s first lady blasts Turkey’s assault against PKK in Kurdistan Region

The first lady's own family history and the upcoming parliamentary elections are likely behind her decision to speak up now.

U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH).

Vance’s voting record: How Trump VP pick could sway Middle East policy

Trump’s running mate voted to repeal Iraq War authorizations and rejected coupling aid for Israel and Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump (L) and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R).

Turkey’s Erdogan praises Trump’s 'bravery' in call with former president

The Turkish president became one of the few world leaders to speak with the former US leader following the assassination attempt.

Analysis

What’s behind Islamic State’s first attack in Oman?

ISIS has not affected Oman as much as it has other Gulf countries, in part due to the sultanate’s strong security and lack of radicalism, according to one expert.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

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

Stray dogs lie on the grass in front of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul on August 23, 2022.

Turkey’s animal rights advocates fear mass culling as lawmakers debate stray dog bill

Animal rights activists claim that the bill could lead to mass culling of the country’s some four million stray dogs.

A woman walks past a poster during a demonstration by relatives and supporters of Israelis taken hostage by Palestinian militants in Gaza.

As Israeli delegation returns to Egypt, Mossad chief fears for female hostages

Mossad chief David Barnea told cabinet ministers that it would take a long time to reach an agreement on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's demand that no armed men be allowed to return to northern Gaza — time that the abductees don’t have.

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images

US renews sanctions waiver for Iraq to purchase Iranian electricity

The waiver issued on July 11 permits Iraq to pay neighboring Iran for electricity imports without running afoul of US sanctions.

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

In Ashura speech, Hezbollah chief warns Israel against invading Lebanon

This year, the Shiite holiday comes as the region is boiling amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Palestinians lift flags of the Hamas and Fatah groups as they demonstrate in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on November 10, 2023, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip.

Guarded optimism on Palestinian reconciliation ahead of Fatah-Hamas meeting in China

Officials in Ramallah say that Hamas accepting the creation of a Palestinian state within the framework of the two-state solution is crucial to progressing Palestinian reconciliation efforts.