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Politics & Security

Israeli army vehicles move to a position in southern Lebanon, March 27, 2026.

Analysis

Israel defies Trump on Lebanon as Netanyahu, Katz prioritize elections

Both Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump face fateful elections this fall, but one needs progress in Lebanon while the other wants more of the same.

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

military projectile are embedded in the ground

Yemen’s Houthis claim new attack on Aramco refinery in Saudi Arabia: What to know

The strike follows a deadly Houthi attack on a ship in the Red Sea as the renewed conflict take its toll on shipping.

Latest News

Iraq intel and security officials visit Saudi Arabia after drone attacks

A man inspects the damage at the site of a strike in Bartalla, in the northern Iraq's Nineveh province, after US-Saudi attacks on militias, July 29, 2026.

Sudan’s RSF attacks Khartoum, seizes border town: What to know

Ebrahim HAMID / AFP via Getty Images

Exclusive

Turkey set to sign charter for Saudi-led Red Sea coalition on Friday

Servicemen of Yavuz class, TCG Turgutreis (F-241), warship stand at attention on the deck as they participate in the live-fire phase of the "Blue Homeland-2026" (Mavi Vatan) tactical military exercises in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, in Antalya on April 9, 2026.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Explainer

Three ways China benefits from Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan pact: What to know

SPA

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

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NY) leaves after speaking during a press conference at Hudson County Community College’s North Hudson Campus on September 25, 2023 in Union City, New Jersey. Menendez spoke during a press conference where he stated that he would not resign as senator and would serve out his term. The three-term senator and his wife are accused of taking bribes of gold bars, a luxury car, and cash in exchange for using his position to help the government of Egypt and other corrupt acts according to an in

Menendez ignores calls to resign as alleged Egypt bribery ties get exposed

The US Senate’s top foreign relations lawmaker struck a humbler note on Monday but remained defiant after federal prosecutors alleged he took bribes in exchange for facilitating US foreign arms sales and passed sensitive US government information to Egypt.

Evin Prison

Iranian-American dies in Tehran’s Evin Prison due to 'lack of medical care'

Faramarz Javidzad, 60, was taken to hospital after he suffered stomach bleeding, but he was later returned to the prison in the Iranian capital where he later died, according to reports.

From the official reception for President Bashar al-Assad and Mrs. Asma in Hangzhou International Airport on September 21, 2023

In China, Syria's Assad gets political fanfare, but no funding commitments

Since Syria joined China's Belt and Road Initiative in January 2022, there have been no projects to show for it in the war-torn country.

This picture taken from the Mount of Olives shows a view of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and its Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem's Old City on August 25, 2023. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP) (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia, Jordan condemn Israeli settler provocations at Al-Aqsa Mosque

Saudi Arabia's new ambassador to the West Bank has spoken out over the clashes that broke out over the weekend as hundreds of Jewish settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

Netanyahu

Analysis

New York trip gave Netanyahu no escape from Israel's reality

The Israeli prime minister’s coalition partners were careful to remind him, even when he visited the United Nations, that his political fate is in their hands, and that they won’t allow any concessions to the Palestinians.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Jordanian King Abdullah II at the Middle East Global Summit on Sept. 20, 2023. (Al-Monitor/Yvonne Tnt)

Analysis

Jordan's King Abdullah: You can’t parachute over Palestine to make peace with Israel

At the inaugural Al-Monitor/Semafor Middle East Global Summit, King Abdullah II emphasizes the centrality of the Palestinian issue; Iraqi PM Mohammed Shia al-Sudani describes vision for natural gas; and more excerpts and coverage of summit.

Week in Review

Andrew Parasiliti

By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti

Hochstein

Middle East can supply world's clean energy, says Biden's energy envoy

Amos J. Hochstein said the key lies in the effective transport of the region’s abundance of wind, sun and minerals to maintain its energy leadership.

People watch a water curtain fountain at the Boulevard entertainment city in Riyadh on August 29, 2023. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)

China builds reach by backing Middle East water projects

In its latest financial deal, China has agreed to provide a new credit facility to expand Saudi Arabia's water generation and power portfolio.

.S. Sen. Robert Menendez spoke during the rally to commemorate the 1915 Turkish massacre of Armenians in Times Square April 26, 2015 in New York City. The rally marks 100 years since the Ottoman government began its systematic extermination of Armenian peoples from their homeland in what is present-day Turkey. (Photo by Kevin Hagen/Getty Images)

Turkey gloats at Menendez indictment but will it get F-16 jets?

Sen. Bob Menendez, a strong critic of Turkey who heads the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has been charged for allegedly receiving bribes via a scheme involving Egypt.

Iran drone parade

Iran parades lines of drones, calls for US Gulf pullout

Iran showed off at least 16 drone types, one of which it said was the world's longest range, as President Ebrahim Raisi urged regional cooperation against the American military presence in the Persian Gulf.

Migrant men wait to board a ship bound for Sicily from Lampedusa, Italy, April 22, 2015.

European Commission to send Tunisia $135M in aid to stem illegal migrants

The European Union and Tunisia had in July announced a ‘strategic partnership’ to boost Tunisia's economy and combat the spike in small boats leaving the North African nation for Europe.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses world leaders during the annual UN General Assembly meeting, New York, September 22, 2023.

At UN, Netanyahu says Palestinians should have 'no veto' over Saudi deal

Offering a grand vision of normalization with Saudi Arabia at the United Nations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also advocated that the Palestinians not be allowed a veto on advancements toward peace.