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

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Politics & Security

A woman walks past a digital screen displaying news of US-Iran peace talks along a road in Islamabad on April 10, 2026.

In Islamabad, US set to face a more defiant Iran at negotiating table

Iran's widening ambitions after the war include a bid to exercise permanent control over the Strait of Hormuz.

A Lebanese army vehicle is parked at the departures area of Beirut's Rafik Hariri airport on April 10, 2026. Israel's military on April 9 warned residents of Beirut's southern suburbs, long a stronghold of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, of imminent strikes and called for them to evacuate. While Israel regularly issues evacuation warnings before bombing the southern suburbs, the announcement also included the outskirts of Lebanon's only international airport. (Photo by Anwar AMRO / AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon boosts army presence in Beirut as Hezbollah slams Israel talks: What to know

The Lebanese government’s openness to talks with Israel has angered Hezbollah while its efforts to assert authority in Beirut has won praise from Gulf states.

Latest News

Analysis

Ahead of Washington talks, Israel has little choice but to accept ceasefire in Lebanon

TOPSHOT - Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli strike that targeted an area in Beirut on April 8, 2026. Israel launched a series of strikes on Beirut on April 8, the most violent attack on the Lebanese capital since the start of war. The strikes came as Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah, which drew Lebanon into the Middle East war by attacking Israel on March 2, claimed it was close to a "historic victory". (Photo by Dylan COLLINS / AFP via Getty Images) /

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

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

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

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

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) /

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

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)

United Arab Emirates

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 woman minds a child as they play near the fountain.

Day 45 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Monday, Nov. 20

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - NOVEMBER 18: Thousands of people and the families of kidnapped Israelis hold up their mobile phones with the torch light to sing the national anthem during a rally demanding that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secures the release of the hostages, outside The Museum of Modern Art known as the 'The Hostages and Missing Square' on November 18, 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Families and supporters of the hostages taken by Hamas in its Oct 7 attack commenced a multi-day march from Tel A

Day 44 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Sunday, Nov. 19

Israel's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid (2nd L) and U. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (2nd R) chat with Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani (R) and United Arab Emirates' Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (L), in Sde Boker, Israel on March 28, 2022. - Blinken and the top diplomats of Israel and four Arab states held a landmark meeting to discuss issues from the Iran nuclear negotiations to the global shockwaves of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Jacquelyn Mar

Gaza war tests Arab Gulf influence as GCC tries to avert regional escalation

Although the UAE and Bahrain have formal diplomatic relations with Israel, and Saudi Arabia was considering such a move, Arab states in the region have their own reasons to be cautious.

Iran Qaani

How far will Iran go to support Hamas in war with Israel?

Forty days into the Israel-Hamas war, the commander of Iran's Quds Force promised the militant group that Iran "will do anything required." Yet questions linger over Iran's willingness to risk direct involvement.

TOPSHOT - A Palestinian girl and her brother sit amidst the debris of a house following an Israeli strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on November 18, 2023, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED / AFP) (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images)

Day 43 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Saturday, Nov. 18

Lipstadt

US envoy reports 'tidal wave of antisemitism' worldwide amid Gaza war

Biden administration antisemitism envoy Deborah Lipstadt said there is a difference between protesting in support of Palestine and attacking Jews, and praised European governments for their efforts to fight bigotry.

Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek (C) addresses a statement to the journalists at the party's group meeting at the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) on June 21, 2023. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)

What awaits Turkey's economy as its foreign exchange woes ease?

After the March local polls, Ankara will be free of major domestic political concerns and is expected to enact a stern program to cool the economy and make real progress in fighting inflation.

Erdogan Scholz

Tensions erupt at Turkey's Erdogan presser in Germany over Gaza war

The joint press conference between the leaders of the two nations further exposed their differences over the Israel-Hamas war.

Layal al-Ekhtiar appears on Al-Arabiya, Nov. 17, 2023.

Why did Lebanon issue warrant for journalist over interview with Israeli official?

Journalists reporting on the prospects of Lebanon being dragged into a war have faced growing pressure and harassment.

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

US senate votes unanimously to suspend Azerbaijan's military assistance

The Biden administration has balked at authorizing additional military assistance to Baku in the wake of the September Nagorno-Karabakh war, and lawmakers are pushing for a two-year moratorium.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

Palestinians amid the destruction following an Israeli strike in the Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza Strip, Nov. 1, 2023.

Analysis

Inside Israel’s three ‘day after’ options for Gaza amid government split

Israel had three main options for administering Gaza after its war against Hamas, all with notable obstacles.

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

Israeli armored vehicles are pictured during a raid by the Israeli army in the Jenin refugee camp, the occupied West Bank, Nov. 16, 2023.

Israel's raid in West Bank leaves several dead following US warning of escalation

Israel is increasing military raids in the West Bank concurrent with the war in Gaza.