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Politics & Security

Saudi Arabian Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pose for a photo opportunity ahead of a meeting in the US State Department Building on Feb. 25, 2025, in Washington, DC.

Saudi defense chief visits White House as Riyadh pushes against Iran strike

The visit is occurring as the Pentagon amasses an armada off Iran and the United States continues to threaten to strike the Islamic Republic militarily.

A view of the guided missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black in the Mediterranean Sea, on Dec. 31, 2023.

Navy destroyer, aircraft join US armada amassing near Iran

The US is rapidly massing warships and strike aircraft around Iran as President Donald Trump openly threatens military action in an apparent bid to coerce its leaders to surrender their nuclear program.

Jared Szuba

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

MAXIM SHIPENKOV / AFP via Getty Images

UAE President meets Putin in Russia to discuss nuclear energy, trade, Iran

The visit of Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed comes a day after the Kremlin hosted President Ahmed al-Sharaa to discuss the future of Russian military bases in Syria.

In this handout provided by the US Navy, The USS Gerald R. Ford, and Italian navy offshore Patrol Vessel ITS Paolo Thaon di Revel operate in the Mediterranean Sea, Oct. 2, 2025.

Analysis

Why Trump’s Venezuela playbook could face hard reality in Iran

On Wednesday, Trump said an armada larger than the one sent to Venezuela is heading toward Iran and “like with Venezuela,” it is ready to employ force if necessary.

By Rosaleen Carroll

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

Latest News

Lebanon army chief to visit US Tuesday to shore up support: What to know

This photograph taken during a press tour organised by the Lebanese army shows Lebanese soldiers standing atop military vehicles in Alma Al-Shaab, near the border with Israel in southern Lebanon, on November 28, 2025. It was the first guided tour the army gave journalists since a November 2024 ceasefire sought to end over a year of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (Photo by Anwar AMRO / AFP via Getty Images)

Iran FM heads to Turkey in last-ditch effort to avoid US escalation

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart following their talks in Moscow on December 17, 2025. (Photo by Ramil Sitdikov / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

European Union adds IRGC to terror list, expands sanctions

SIMON WOHLFAHRT / AFP via Getty Images

Iranian officials vow 'harsh' response as Trump threatens action: What to know

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addresses foreign ambassadors to Iran, in Tehran on Oct. 5, 2025.

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

Forlorn Israeli soldier, hostages

Day 47 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Wednesday, Nov. 22

A woman holds portraits of hostages Erez Kalderon, 12, and of children of the Goldstein Almog family as protesters rally outside the UNICEF offices to demand the release of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip since the Hamas attack Oct. 7, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian armed group, Tel Aviv, Israel, Nov. 20, 2023.

Breaking | Last Updated: November 22, 2023, 9:02 am

Israel and Hamas reach deal to free 50 hostages in Gaza

Under the Qatari-mediated agreement, Hamas is expected to release 50 women and children, including three Americans, during a days-long pause in the fighting.

TOPSHOT - France's President Emmanuel Macron greets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as he arrives at presidential Elysee Palace in Paris, on June 16, 2023. French President Emmanuel Macron hosts Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for talks in Paris, seeking to nudge the de-facto leader of the oil-rich kingdom into more full-throated support of Ukraine against the Russian invasion. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP) (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images)

What Saudi crown prince's call to stop weapons exports means for Israel

The crown prince’s comments come amid persistent opposition to Israel’s strikes against Hamas in Gaza in the Arab world.

The new US Ambassador to Turkey David M. Satterfield (L) leaves after a wreath-laying ceremony at the Mausoleum of the Turkish Republic's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (Anitkabir), in Ankara, on Sept. 4, 2019.

US envoy says Israel to implement deconfliction mechanism for Gaza aid workers

US special envoy David Satterfield told Al-Monitor that a deconfliction mechanism would take effect shortly in Gaza, where Israel's military campaign has killed more than 100 United Nations staff.

US gunship

US gunship strikes Iran-backed militias in Iraq after ballistic missile attack

US commanders ordered lethal strikes in quick response to a missile attack on the Ain al-Asad air base, in a sign the military is taking matters into its own hands to defend its personnel in Iraq.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune (R) speak as they review a military honour guard during the welcoming ceremony, in Ankara, on May 16, 2022. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)

In Algeria, Turkey's Erdogan voices support for imminent Israel-Hamas deal

The Turkish president said that Ankara is in contact with Qatari authorities over a potential deal between Israel and Hamas.

Rabih and Farah

Israeli strike kills two TV journalists in south Lebanon

The killing of Al-Mayadeen reporters sparked outrage in Lebanon and condemnation over a bombing campaign that's killed at least 50 journalists since Oct. 7.

Smoke billows after an Israeli strike in north Gaza on November 22, 2023

Day 46 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Tuesday, Nov. 21

A screenshot from a video released by Yemen's Houthi rebels showing the seizure of the ship.

How Houthis' hijacking of Israel-linked ship tests limits of US deterrence

The US is consulting with allies after Iran-backed Yemeni fighters fast-roped onto the deck and hijacked an Israeli-linked cargo ship amid Israel's war against Palestinian militants in Gaza.

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a meeting with the leaders of France's Freemason organisations during the 250th anniversary of the Grand Orient of France in Paris, on November 8, 2023. (Photo by Thibault Camus / POOL / AFP) (Photo by THIBAULT CAMUS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

After angering Israel, Macron recalibrates strategy in Gaza war

French President Emmanuel Macron received former Israeli President Reuven Rivlin in Paris today as Elysee grows more concerned about the Lebanon front.

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 06: Flowers and candles are placed among pictures of journalists at a vigil in lower Manhattan on November 6, 2023 in New York City. The vigil is held to remember and celebrate the lives of journalists killed in recent fighting in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon. Since Hamas launched its attack against Israel on October 7 and Israel began a prolonged attack on the militant Palestinian group, at least 37 journalists and media workers are counted among an estimated 11,000 killed. (Photo by Sp

At least 48 journalists killed in Gaza war, 43 Palestinians, deadliest since 1992

Dozens of journalists and media workers have been killed in the region since the Hamas-Israel war erupted more than a month ago.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein talks to the press during a EU-Iraq Cooperation Council, at the European Council Building in Brussels on March 19, 2023.

Iraqi FM says unless US stops Israel, conflict in Gaza will 'burn all of us'

Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein worries that the conflict in Gaza will drag on and expand beyond Israel’s borders.