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Politics & Security

Olmert

Interview

Olmert: Only Israeli-Lebanon deal can curb Hezbollah, occupation 'unviable'

Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Al-Monitor that Israel will only be able to defang Hezbollah if it reaches an agreement with the Lebanese government.

Commuters make their way past a giant billboard of slain Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at Valiasr Square in Tehran on April 19, 2026.

Two Iranians face US court in sanctions, arms trafficking cases: What to know

The cases come as the United States pairs tighter sanctions with stepped-up enforcement targeting Iran’s global networks amid the war.

US Vice President JD Vance (C) walks with Pakistan's Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshall Asim Munir (L), and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar after arriving for talks with Iranian officials on April 11, 2026, in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Trump says Iran deal could happen 'quickly' as Pakistan readies talks: What to know

A source familiar with the plans told Al-Monitor that the US delegation will travel to Islamabad soon.

Members of Iraq's security forces stand guard on the the al-Rabia border crossing with Syria on April 20, 2026.

How Syria's border opening with Iraq redefines Turkey-Kurd balance

After years of closure, the reopening of al-Yaaroubiya crossing is redrawing Kurdish economic leverage and reinforcing Turkey’s regional strategy.

Latest News

MBS hosts Sudan's Burhan in Jeddah as $1.5B Saudi-backed arms deal stalls

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in Jeddah, on April 20, 2026.

Bahrain orders citizenship review as Iran war-linked crackdown escalates: What to know

Vehicles move on a road in Bahrain's capital, Manama, on March 11, 2026.

Lebanon-Israel negotiations to continue even as Iran talks stall

Jewel SAMAD / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

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

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

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

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

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

TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY SERENE ASSIR A Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) fighters guards a post flying the PKK flag during the ongoing intensive security deployment against Islamic State (IS) militants in the town of Makhmur, southwest Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq, on August 21, 2014. Kurdish groups from Iraq and three neighbouring countries are putting aside old rivalries to battle jihadist militants, but there are cracks in this newly-forged unity and it may not last. A

Did Kurdish PKK call off truce with Turkey to make peace or war?

Ending the ceasefire that the group announced after the earthquakes reflects the reality that Erdogan will continue in power.

Nayera Ashraf

Egyptian man executed one year after brutal killing of Nayera Ashraf

The killing sent shockwaves across the country, prompting calls to carry out the death sentence.

Israel drone

Arab states make up 24% of Israel’s 2022 arms exports including drones

Out of the record-high $12.5 billion in Israeli defense exports in 2022, almost $3 billion were export deals with Arab countries.

Xi Jinping and Mahmoud Abbas

China’s Xi hosts Abbas, vows support for Palestinian state on 1967 borders

Xi used the word 'Palestine' as he welcomed Mahmoud Abbas on a visit that follows Beijing's offer to mediate peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

A US F-18 Super Hornet lands on the flight deck of the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) during a South Korea and US combined maritime exercise as a part of Warrior Shield at sea on March 27, 2023 off the coast of South Korea.

US to sell $1.8 billion worth of F/A-18 jets support to Kuwait

The proposed sale would fulfill Kuwait’s request for an ‘extended warranty’ on its F/A-18 fleet.

Israeli soldiers console one another outside the Mount Harif military base.

Israeli army admits to operational failures in deadly Egypt incident

The investigation of the Israeli army into the deadly incident last week on the Egyptian border found several operational failures.

A US Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter takes off at sunset while transporting American troops out of a remote combat outpost known as RLZ near the Turkish border in northeastern Syria, May 25, 2021.

22 US soldiers injured in Syria helicopter accident

The MH-17 helicopter took a "hard landing" shortly after take off, but hostile fire was not involved, Pentagon officials said.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (L) receives a commemorative decoration from Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, after a joint press statement at Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas, on June 12, 2023.

Iran's Raisi hails 'new world order' in meeting with Maduro in Venezuela

Iran and Venezuela talked business as their economies continue to be battered by sanctions from abroad and skyrocketing inflation at home.

Israel-Iran cyber warfare has intensified in the last few years. Photo by NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel-Iran cyber warfare heats up, exploiting Israeli internal divide

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has used a false news campaign generated by a foreign state — probably Iran — to lambast anti-government protesters.

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

KHALIL MAZRAAWI/afp/AFP via Getty Images

Jordan shoots down drone carrying drugs from Syria

The operation is the latest effort by Jordanian authorities to curb drug smuggling from neighboring Syria.

Russia Day in Jerusalem

Senior Israeli officials attended Russian ambassador's anti-West speech

At a Russia Day reception in Jerusalem, Russia's Ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov delivered a speech defending his country's stance against Ukraine.

A screen capture of a video showing the boat fire off the coast of Marsa Alam, Egypt, June 11, 2023.

3 British tourists killed in boat fire off Egypt’s Red Sea coast

The fire comes days after a Russian tourist was killed during a shark attack in the Red Sea, a popular destination for European tourists.