Politics & Security - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent since 2012

politics and security cover image

Politics & Security

Members of Houthi security forces stand guard while supporters of Yemen's Houthi movement attend an event commemorating the ninth anniversary of the Saudi-led intervention in their country, in the capital, Sanaa, on March 26, 2026.

Exclusive

Senior Houthi official says Bab el Mandab closure an option if any Gulf states join war

Houthi Deputy Information Minister Mohammed Mansour also said the strait could be closed “should the aggression against Iran and Lebanon escalate.”

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

US journalist Shelly Kittleson poses for a picture in Baghdad on March 31, 2026.

Shelly Kittleson's kidnapping by suspected Iran-backed militia exposes Iraq government weakness

The abduction of US journalist Shelly Kittleson highlights the outsized influence of Iran-aligned armed groups operating beyond Baghdad’s control.

Sharaa, King Charles

In UK visit, Syria’s Sharaa doubles down on Western ties amid Iran war, refugee pressures

After talks with UK leaders on Tuesday, Syria's president said the country would remain neutral in the Iran conflict unless it was targeted.

A view of the platform of the Leviathan natural gas field in the Mediterranean Sea is pictured from the Israeli northern coastal beach of Nasholim, on Aug. 29, 2022.

Israel energy minister says gas flowing to Egypt, Jordan despite shutdown reports

Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen told Al-Monitor that despite security concerns and partial shut down of marine gas platforms, Israel continues to supply gas to Egypt, Jordan and Israeli consumers.

Latest News

Turkey in talks with Iran to clear 11 ships stuck in Hormuz: What to know

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

UAE accuses Iran of 'extortion' in Strait of Hormuz: What to know

AFP via Getty Images

United Arab Emirates

Analysis

Iran executes alleged MEK members in bid to signal wartime control

A member of the Iranian security forces stands guard next to a banner honoring Iran's slain supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran on March 31, 2026.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

Why Germany may struggle to meet Merz’s 80% Syria repatriation goal

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa depart after speaking to the media following talks at the Chancellery on March 30, 2026, in Berlin, Germany.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

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

Kurdish communities in Turkey gathered in Sirnak, Cizre, to commemorate Nowruz, March 20, 2024.

Turkey detains hundreds of Kurds for wearing ‘forbidden’ colors at Nowruz rallies

The government's actions come ahead of nationwide elections in which the pro-Kurdish DEM Party is fielding its own candidates.

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield attends a UN Security Council meeting on the Israel-Hamas war, at UN Headquarters in New York City on Feb. 20, 2024.

Breaking | Last Updated: March 22, 2024, 12:58 pm

Russia, China veto US-backed UN resolution on Gaza cease-fire

The failed resolution backed an “immediate and sustained cease-fire” and a hostage deal to free the remaining captives.

FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images

Chemi Peres: Israeli tech back to business, cyber security among most resilient

Despite the war and the divides within the Israeli society, tech entrepreneur Chemi Peres embraces the optimism of his father, late President Shimon Peres, for the future of the country’s innovation ecosystem.

Army Staff Sgt. Brandy Nicole Mejia, DOD

Who is Najah al-Shammari, former Iraqi defense minister arrested in Sweden?

Shammari served in the Iraqi military under Saddam Hussein and following the 2003 US invasion, and was under investigation for fraud.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a joint press conference with the German Chancellor after their meeting in Jerusalem on March 17, 2024.

Republican House speaker courts Netanyahu amid partisan split on Gaza

If he accepts Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson’s planned invite to speak before Congress, chances are Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will find an even less receptive audience than listened to his 2015 address.

COHEN-MAGEN/AFP via Getty Images

Mossad, CIA chiefs to return to Qatar to continue Gaza talks

After a visit to Doha earlier this week, Mossad chief David Barnea is expected to return to Qatar Friday to pursue talks for a hostage release and cease-fire deal.

French Ambassador to the United Nations Nicolas de Riviere speaks during a UN Security Council vote on the Israel-Hamas war, UN Headquarters, New York City, Feb. 20, 2024.

France to submit Gaza UN resolution that can ‘actually be adopted,’ rivaling US draft

France says its proposal will not compete with or contradict a draft resolution sponsored by the US currently in circulation.

AFP via Getty Images

With 6.5m displaced, Sudan on course to be 'world's worst hunger crisis': UN

As the conflict in Sudan nears its one-year anniversary, the United Nations is ringing ever more strident alarms over an impending humanitarian catastrophe.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) (C) speaks during a news conference with Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) (L) and Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) following a closed-door caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center on March 20, 2024 in Washington, DC.

Breaking | Last Updated: March 21, 2024, 2:36 pm

Speaker Johnson to invite Israel's Netanyahu to speak to Congress

Netanyahu recently spoke to Senate Republicans via video.

Lebanese protesters burn tyres during a demonstration called for by the banks depositors committee against monetary policies, on May 9, 2023.

Lebanon, Yemen, Egypt rank least happy countries in Middle East

The Middle East and North Africa are the two regions where “happiness has fallen at every age.”

COLE BURSTON/AFP via Getty Images

Canada to halt weapons exports to Israel

Canada's parliament passed a resolution blocking the sales and Foreign Minister Melanie Joly has confirmed that the measure will be followed.

Freed Lebanese prisoner Samir Kantar (L), wearing Hezbollah military fatigues, arrives with his freed comrades (back) and Wafiq Safa (R), Hezbollah coordinator for the prisoner swap with Israel, to the airport in Beirut on July 16, 2008. Five Lebanese prisoners freed by the Israeli authorities arrived in Lebanon today, hours after Hezbollah handed over the bodies of two Israeli soldiers seized by its guerrillas two years ago. Among those freed in a prisoner swap greeted with triumph in Lebanon but anguish i

What’s behind Hezbollah's Wafiq Safa rare UAE visit?

Wafiq Safa's visit is the first public trip by a Hezbollah official to the United Arab Emirates.