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

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Politics & Security

An oil refinery located in the desert

As Saudi Arabia rallies against Yemen's Houthis, US stays focused on Iran

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

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

Latest News

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

military projectile are embedded in the ground

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

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 traveler walking at the Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport.

Israel’s Netanyahu thanks Saudi Arabia for plane landing amid normalization push

A plane carrying Israelis made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The United States has been pushing for normalization between the two countries, but the kingdom remains publicly committed to Palestinian statehood as a pre-condition.

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, visited Antalya last week.

US naval diplomacy reaches Turkey in latest sign of rapprochement

The US Navy's largest aircraft carrier arrived in Antalya several days before President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to meet Russia's Vladimir Putin in Sochi.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (R) receives Sudanese General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in El Alamein, Aug. 29, 2023.

Sudan’s Burhan heads to Egypt amid ongoing conflict

The Egypt-Sudan relationship is politically and economically important for both countries, and the visit is Burhan’s first since fighting began in Sudan in April.

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi holds a press conference in Tehran on Aug. 29, 2023.

Raisi says revival of nuclear deal not Iran's priority

Talks to restore the 2015 accord have been in a state of impasse for 18 months, as both Iran and the United States appear to be increasingly reluctant for a breakthrough.

MAZEN MAHDI/AFP via Getty Images

Republican says Congress 'kept in dark' as Iran envoy saga develops

Congressional Republicans are furious after the Tehran Times published a letter purportedly from the State Department discussing the suspension of Malley’s security clearance.

ALI DIA/AFP via Getty Images

Hezbollah says UNIFIL mandate will remain 'ink on paper' without change

The paramilitary group is objecting to the renewal of the UN peacekeeping mission over last year's modification that gave the mission freedom of movement in southern Lebanon without coordination with the army.

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen addresses a joint press conference after talks with his German counterpart at the Foreign Office, Berlin, Germany, Feb. 28, 2023.

Analysis

Israel publicizing secret meeting with Libya FM damages Arab ties

When Foreign Minister Eli Cohen revealed his meeting last week with Libyan Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush, it dealt a serious blow to Israel’s clandestine relations with Arab and Muslim countries.

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

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed speaks during the first power generation ceremony at the site of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

Analysis

Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan resume talks on Nile River dam, but obstacles remain

The current talks follow the outbreak of violence in Sudan as well as mediation efforts by the UAE.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan to meet Putin in Sochi as Turkey looks to save Ukraine grain deal

Revival of the vital grain deal will top the agenda of the Turkish and Russian presidents in Sochi, but experts believe Moscow's quick return to the agreement is unlikely.

An Iranian Kurdish peshmerga member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI).

Iran renews ultimatum for Iraq to disarm Kurdish opposition groups

A September deadline set to disarm the groups will “not be extended in any way.”

Syrian military airplanes fly by Aleppo's airport, February 19, 2020.

Suspected Israeli airstrikes knock Syria’s Aleppo airport out of service

The attack is one of several suspected Israeli strikes against Syrian airports this year.

Protests in Al-Karama Square in the center of Suwayda, Sunday Aug. 27, 2023.

Syria protests enter second week, activists close Baath headquarters

The protests now calling for the end of Bashar al-Assad’s rule were initially prompted by the government's decision to cut fuel subsidies.