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

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Politics & Security

This picture taken on Oct. 19, 2020 in Istanbul shows Turkey's third drilling ship 'Kanuni' as it enters the bosphorus near Haydarpasa port.

Turkey launches first overseas drilling mission in Somalia: What to know

A drilling ship has reached Somalia to start Turkey's first overseas drilling mission as regional rivalry heats up in the Horn of Africa.

Israeli military vehicles drive along a road in southern Lebanon, near the Israeli border on April 8, 2026. Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military had carried out a surprise attack on April 8 targeting hundreds of Hezbollah members across Lebanon. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP via Getty Images) /

US to host Lebanon-Israel talks next week in first such meeting

A senior Lebanese official told Al-Monitor that the Trump administration relayed to Beirut on Wednesday its support for Lebanon to handle its negotiations with Israel, separate from talks taking place with Iran this weekend in Pakistan.

TOPSHOT - People watch from a street as a tall smoke plume billows following an explosion in the Fujairah industrial zone on March 3, 2026. Iran's strikes on Gulf neighbours since February 28, following the US-Israeli attack, forced the UAE to shut its airspace, blindsiding travellers who thought they were headed to one of the region's safest holiday destinations. (Photo by Fadel SENNA / AFP via Getty Images)

UAE says no more 'niceties' with Iran, seeks clarity on fragile truce terms

The UAE said Iran must pay “compensation” for damages incurred during the conflict.

United Arab Emirates

This picture taken on April 9, 2026, shows the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the Basta neighbourhood of Beirut the day before. Calls were mounting for the ceasefire between the US and Iran to be extended to Israel's war with Hezbollah, after a massive wave of Israeli strikes on Lebanon killed more than 200 people. (Photo by FADEL itani / AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon rejects Iran negotiating on its behalf, PM says only Beirut handles talks

Israel launched its largest attack against Lebanon in the war, firing over 160 munitions across the country. At least 203 people were killed and 1,072 injured, while 33 remain missing, authorities said.

Latest News

Analysis

Ceasefire or strategic pause? How Iran is framing war narrative amid deep mistrust

Iranians hold national flags as they gather in Tehran's Revolution Square after the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, on April 8, 2026 in Tehran, Iran.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Exclusive

'King of Iraq': Top judge Zaidan played key role in Shelly Kittleson's release

An undated image of Shelly Kittleson.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Iran hits Gulf, threatens truce as Israel escalates in Lebanon: What to know

Firefighters attempt to extinguish a fire following an Israeli strike at the Corniche al-Mazraa neighbourhood of Beirut on April 8, 2026.

Turkey detains 11 over ISIS-linked attack on Israeli Consulate: What to know

Yasin AKGUL / 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

A picture taken in southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip on Dec. 11, 2023.

Day 66 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Monday, Dec. 11

A truck carries Iranian drones during the annual military parade marking the anniversary of the outbreak of the devastating 1980-1988 war with Saddam Hussein's Iraq, Tehran, Iran, Sept. 22, 2023.

Iran unveils new Karrar drones upgraded with air-to-air missiles

Iran’s drone fleet has raised concerns among the United States and its allies.

CNN's Becky Anderson interviews Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian over a videocall during the Doha Forum in the Qatari capital on December 11, 2023. (Photo by SALIM MATRAMKOT / AFP) (Photo by SALIM MATRAMKOT/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran’s FM confirms US messages on Iraq, dodges questions on protests

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Washington has been dispatching weekly messages to Iran to rein in militants in Iraq and Syria attacking its forces.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Ghana's Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, British Secretary for Foreign Affairs James Cleverly, the Deputy Chairperson for the African Union Commission Monique Nsanzabaganwa, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Kenya's Foreign

France, Germany, Italy push for EU sanctions against Hamas leaders

In a letter to the European Union Foreign Affairs chief Josep Borrell, the foreign ministers of the three countries stress they would like to see more Hamas leaders sanctioned.

An aid convoy bearing the Jordanian flag enters the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, amid ongoing battles between Israel and Hamas, Nov. 20, 2023.

Middle East countries join global call for strike in solidarity with Palestinians

Several countries in the region observed a strike in solidarity with the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and to demand an end of the Israeli war.

Gen. Joseph Aoun (R), Lebanese Army chief of staff, arrives at the Hamat airbase, north of Beirut, June 12, 2018.

What fate awaits Lebanon’s army chief Joseph Aoun as another Beirut void looms?

Another leadership position might soon be vacant in Lebanon amid bickering over the legality of extending the term of the soon-to-retire commander of the military.

A ball of fire rises above a building during an Israeli strike in Rafah

Day 65 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Sunday, Dec. 10

This photo taken on October 29, 2023 in Istanbul shows a Bayraktar TB-2 drone and helicopters on the Turkish navy's L-400 Anadolu warship, during a naval military parade on the Bosphorus to mark the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP) (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey’s military-industrial complex is booming, but long road ahead

The pitfalls and advantages of Turkish defense firms that were listed among the top 100 arms producers that increased their revenue last year as combined revenues of their Western counterparts shrank.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) walking during a hearing at the Magistrate's Court in Rishon Lezion on January 23, 2023.

Analysis

Between Israel's intelligence failure & corruption trial, will Netanyahu crack?

Opponents of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu say the Gaza war proves he should have resigned when first indicted, and not continue leading the country while managing the trial against him.

Mazal Mualem

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

A ball of fire rises above a building during an Israeli strike in Rafah

Day 64 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Saturday, Dec. 9

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi hold a meeting in Tehran on July 19, 2022.

Despite visits, deals, Russia's Putin does not acquiesce to Iran's Raisi on Gaza

The Iranian leadership is finding global sentiments for Gaza civilians as a unique opportunity it shouldn't miss to weaken and corner Israel, the sworn enemy.

Supporters hang a campaign banner of Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at a bus on a street in Cairo on December 7, 2023, ahead of the country's presidential election.

As Egyptians head to polls, Gaza war helps Sisi secure third term

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi continues to reject any attempt to forcibly displace and resettle Palestinians in Sinai, which has garnered him wide popularity that he had lost in the past years.