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Politics & Security

Pakistan Air Force J-10 fighter jets over Islamabad, March 23, 2025.

Analysis

Pakistan’s quiet fighter jet deployment to Saudi Arabia signals Gulf anxiety

As US-Iran talks unfold, Islamabad balances mediation with a growing military role in the kingdom.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shake hands during the press conference following their meeting at Villa Doria Pamphilj, on April 29, 2025, in Rome, Italy.

Analysis

Italy’s TB3 drone deal signals turn toward Turkey amid US-NATO tensions

Italy’s expected TB3 drone purchase highlights a rapidly deepening, interest-driven alignment with Turkey on defense and geopolitics.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, United Arab Emirates

Interview

UAE official says opening Hormuz integral to any Iran deal, describes infrastructure damage 'manageable'

Abdulla Balalaa, UAE assistant minister of foreign affairs for energy and sustainability, spoke to Al-Monitor about the situation in the Gulf along with the UAE's focus on promoting privatization in the water sector and the 2026 UN Water Conference.

Joseph EID / AFP via Getty Images

Who are Lebanon’s main players influencing talks with Israel?

Amid a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, focus is now on the main political players in Lebanon and their role in shaping or derailing any deal.

Latest News

'The reach is global': Pentagon vows pursuit of ships tied to Iran trade

STRAIT OF HORMUZ - NOVEMBER 19: In this handout photo provided by the US Navy, The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) transits the Strait of Hormuz as an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the Nightdippers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 lifts off from the flight deck November 19, 2019. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the M

Sharaa distances Syria from Iran war, says Israel talks ongoing: What to know

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Turkish Presient Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Antalya Diplomatic Forum in Turkey April 17, 2026.

Aoun says Lebanon seeks 'permanent agreements' with Israel after White House invite

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun delivers a speech during a meeting of Pope Leo XIV with authorities, civil society and diplomatic corps at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of the capital Beirut, on November 30, 2025. (Photo by Andreas SOLARO / 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

Israeli Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant (R) and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin shake hands after delivering a statement to the press at the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) headquarters near the Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, on March 9, 2023. - Austin, on a visit to Israel, expressed concerns on March 9 about Jewish settler violence against Palestinians and warned against acts that could trigger more insecurity. (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / AFP) (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN/AFP via Getty Images)

Pentagon seeks to deepen military ties with Israel despite judicial overhaul

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged his Israeli counterpart to "address extremist settler violence against Palestinian civilians," but said Washington's support was unwavering.

China Yi

China’s newly appointed FM Wang Yi heads to Turkey, will meet Erdogan

The meeting with Erdogan and Turkish FM Fidan will mark the first high-level visit from a Chinese official since 2021.

Journalists shout slogans and hold placards on Jan. 10, 2016.

Turkey arrests journalist over social media post, sparking outcry from civic groups

International and local rights watchdogs lambasted Firat Can Arslan’s and four other journalists’ detention.

A Shiite Muslim man raises a Koran as he takes part in a mourning ritual in the city of Nasiriyah in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province eraly on July 22, 2023, during the Muslim month of Muharram in the lead-up to Ashura. Ashura is a 10-day mourning period commemorating the seventh century killing of Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussein. (Photo by Asaad NIAZI / AFP) (Photo by ASAAD NIAZI/AFP via Getty Images)

Quran burning in Denmark as Egypt, Bahrain summon Sweden diplomats

The Middle East is fuming following a series of Quran burnings in Denmark and Sweden.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan shakes hands with Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Qatar on Nov. 20, 2022.

Erdogan’s base unfazed by U-turns as Turkey prepares to host Egypt’s Sisi

According to unconfirmed reports in Turkish media, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi might even arrive in the Turkish capital as soon as Thursday.

Demonstrators clash with Israeli riot police.

Israel's protest movement takes judicial overhaul battle to media, courts

Israel’s main newspapers on Tuesday morning published blacked-out front pages in a coordinated campaign by the protest movement.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L) meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ankara, Turkey, July 25, 2023.

Erdogan hosts Abbas, stresses Palestinian unity ahead of Cairo meeting

The Abbas-Erdogan meeting in Turkey indicates increasing regional efforts aiming to convince rival Palestinian groups to advance their dialogue.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran leads world in internet restrictions for 2023, followed by India, Pakistan

There has been a surge in internet restrictions in the Islamic Republic in the first half of this tumultuous year.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran unveils new ballistic missile after US deployment to Gulf

Iranian officials said they had already mass-produced the "radar-evading" missile, which relies on artificial intelligence and is capable of "completely destroying" any frigate.

Logos are displayed on the screens at the cyberattack training facility "immersive cyberattack room", at the Galileo Global Education in Puteaux, west of Paris, on May 2, 2023. (Photo by Christophe ARCHAMBAULT / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP via Getty Images)

In Jordan, rights groups sound alarm over controversial cybercrime bill

The bill has been widely criticized as a tool for Jordanian authorities to clamp down on anyone criticizing the government.

Beatrice Farhat

By Beatrice Farhat

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

PETRAS MALUKAS/AFP via Getty Images

Following Saudi drone deal, Turkey's Erdogan targets $6B in defense sales

Speaking at the opening of Turkey’s largest defense fair, the Turkish president has pledged to raise military exports by 36% while his defense industry chief reveals that last week’s drone deal with Riyadh alone was worth $3.1 billion.

US Defense Department European Command via Getty Images

Russian fighter jet damages US drone over Syria

US military officials say they don't quite know why Russian aircraft keep harassing US drones over Syria, but they're continuing to explore options to protect them.