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

politics and security cover image

Politics & Security

Members of Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) arrive at the Kurdish-held city of Ain al-Arab, also known as Kobane on January 23, 2026, after they withdrew from the Al-Aqtan prison in the Raqqa province of Syria.

Exclusive

US military negotiated SDF withdrawal from Syria's Raqqa prison

Syrian government forces took full control of Raqqa after hundreds of SDF fighters were evacuated to Kobani under US-negotiated safe passage.

Jared Szuba

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

AFP via Getty Images

Thousands rally for South Yemen independence amid Saudi diplomatic push

Large protests called for southern independence in Yemen on Friday, reflecting persistent support for the separatists despite the Saudi-backed government’s efforts to quash the separatist movement.

Members of Syrian government takeover the Al-Aqtan prison after Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) forces withdraw from al-Aqtan prison, bound for Kobani, on the outskirts of the northeastern Syrian city of Raqqa on Jan. 23, 2026.

Syria forces push deeper into SDF territory, take over ISIS prison: What to know

The advances come as the government and Kurdish forces accuse each other of violating a ceasefire that entered into force this week in northeast Syria.

Latest News

Analysis

Could US shift on Syria’s Kurds unlock progress with Turkey?

Syrian government forces ride on the roof of a vehicle as they deploy after crossing the Euphrates River in the province of Deir Ezzor, eastern Syria, on Jan. 19, 2026.

Ezgi Akin

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

Analysis

Under fire at home over Board of Peace, Netanyahu hints Trump could OK Gaza war restart

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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

Interview

Grossi: IAEA seeks return to Syria as Kurdish unrest delays nuclear inspections

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, speaks during the 69th annual International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) general conference on Sept. 15, 2025 in Vienna, Austria.

Rafael Grossi

Rafael Grossi

IAEA Director General

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

Iranian mourners attend the funeral of late president Ebrahim Raisi in the city of Mashhad on May 23, 2024.

Raisi's death unlikely to rattle Iran's foreign, domestic politics

The Iranian president's sudden death is unlikely to cause major disruptions to the political dynamics in Iran, though the Islamic Republic will go through an adjustment process.

Court's president Joan Donoghue (C) and associate judges arrive to hear South African arguments to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as part of South Africa case against Israel over Rafah offensive in The Hague, on May 16, 2024.

Breaking | Last Updated: May 24, 2024, 1:16 pm

ICJ orders Israel to 'immediately halt' military operations in Rafah

The Hague-based International Court of Justice accepted part of a request by South Africa in issuing its order.

People view posters of missing Israelis on a wall at Hostages Square, Tel Aviv, Feb.12, 2024.

Israel recovers bodies of 3 hostages reportedly killed Oct. 7

The Israeli military announced that its troops had retrieved the bodies from a tunnel in Jabalia, in northern Gaza.

This photograph taken in Lyon, eastern France, on Sept. 5, 2023, shows the entrance of the International Criminal Police Organization headquarters, known as Interpol.

Interpol red notice for mother, son who fled Turkey to US after hit-and-run

A lawyer of the family of the man who died in the fatal car crash says the move raised their hopes for justice.

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

CIA Director Burns heads to Europe to kickstart stalled Gaza truce talks: Report

After Israel's war cabinet mandated the negotiating team to resume talks, Israeli sources say there are indications that Hamas might be willing to return to negotiations.

Iranians follow a truck carrying coffins of the late President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions, who were killed in a helicopter crash, during a funeral ceremony for them on May 22, 2024, in Tehran, Iran.

Khamenei leads Raisi’s funeral attended by tens of thousands of Iranians, regional leaders

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash on Sunday, along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and a number of other officials.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz (2nd R) shakes hands with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (C) after they joined heads of states and international organizations for a "family photo" during the G20 Summit in Brisbane on Nov. 15, 2014.

India’s Modi ‘deeply concerned’ about Saudi King Salman’s health

The 88-year-old king has faced health setbacks in recent weeks, prompting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to cancel a trip to Japan.

Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar and the head of China's National Energy Administration in Beijing on May 22, 2024.

China, Turkey ink 'energy transition' deal during Bayraktar's visit

The deal was signed as part of the Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar's visit to China.

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

What Gallant's nixing of Israeli disengagement law means for West Bank

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has greenlit settlers to enter the evacuated and demolished West Bank outposts of Sa-Nur, Ganim and Kadim.

Syrian first lady Asma al-Assad on a state visit to the United Arab Emirates on March 19، 2023

Syrian first lady Asma al-Assad’s leukemia diagnosis: What we know

Assad is facing a relatively difficult path to recovery due to her history of breast cancer, a leukemia expert told Al-Monitor, with sanctions on Damascus further complicating her treatment options.

An Iranian woman in Tehran passes by a poster of Iran's late president Ebrahim Raisi two days after his death on May 21, 2024.

Iran: 8 key contenders to watch as potential successors to Raisi

Facing the key issue of turnout of a disfranchised, apathetic public, Iranian authorities will be holding an early election next month to replace Ebrahim Raisi, whose tenure was cut short due to a deadly chopper crash.

Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

Blinken: Israel 'may not be willing' to accept Palestinian statehood for Saudi normalization

Blinken's comments came as Israeli President Isaac Herzog has revealed that a deal with Saudi Arabia for normalization of ties is on the table.