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Politics & Security

Sudanese army soldier stands in front of a tank

Sudan ramps up Saudi Arabia, Turkey contacts amid growing Red Sea cooperation

Sudanese officials held parallel talks in Riyadh and Ankara as Saudi Arabia and Turkey deepen security cooperation around the Red Sea and fighting intensifies in Sudan.

His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik pays a private fraternal visit to the United Arab Emirates, where he held a meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the UAE, at Al Shati Palace in Abu Dhabi, on Aug. 17, 2026.

Sultan of Oman meets UAE's MBZ as Iran-Hormuz talks advance

The talks come as Oman is in the midst of negotiations with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with King of Jordan Abdullah II during a signing ceremony at The Great Hall Of The People on Sept. 9, 2015, in Beijing, China.

Jordan's King Abdullah heads to China in first visit since 2015: What to know

Ahead of the visit, King Abdullah said that Jordan hopes to expand cooperation with China in green energy, tourism and aviation.

Smoke rises after explosions were heard and air defences activated near the airport in Erbil, on July 24, 2026.

Explainer

Why Iran targeted Barzani family stronghold in Iraqi Kurdistan

Iran’s Kurdish opposition groups have turned Iraqi Kurdistan into a frontline in the war.

Latest News

US general meets Lebanon’s army chief as ceasefire with Israel teeters

AFP via Getty Images

Jared Szuba

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

Trump threatens to bomb Oman if it 'gets in the way' of US-Iran deal

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the David S. Mack Center for Training and Intelligence on Aug. 14, 2026 in Garden City, New York.

Analysis

RSF turns to drones, new fronts as Sudan battlefield pressure grows

View of some wreckage after the Rapid Support Forces targeted several civilian facilities in Al-Rahad Abu Dakna, one of the largest cities in North Kordofan, on the national highway linking Kosti and el-Obeid, July 25, 2026.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

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

Syrian Kurdish Asayish security forces walk past a house during a raid against suspected Islamic State fighters in Raqqa, Syria, Jan. 29, 2023.

Islamic State attacks truffle hunters, shepherds in Syria

US forces reported killing a senior Islamic State official in Syria as the group's resurgence continues.

A general view shows a burnt out vehicle next to a banner bearing the Islamic State group's flag in the village of Dibsiafnan on the western outskirts of the Islamist's Syrian bastion of Raqa, after Syrian pro-government forces entered the area on June 11, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / George OURFALIAN (Photo credit should read GEORGE OURFALIAN/AFP via Getty Images)

US forces kill senior Islamic State official in pre-dawn Syria raid: official

Local reports said several US helicopters were involved in an operation in an area controlled by the opposition Suqour al-Sham militia.

Palestinian youths celebrate following the news of an attack in a settler neighborhood in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, in the center of Nablus, West Bank, Jan. 27, 2023.

Execution of Palestinian 'collaborator' in West Bank shows falling trust in PA

The Lion's Den group in the West Bank has executed a young Palestinian for collaborating with Israel in a reminder of the extrajudicial violence of the intifadas.

Members of parliament attend a session, Kuwait City, Kuwait, April 4, 2023.

Analysis

What is behind Kuwait's change of government, economic woes?

The decades-long dance of political reshuffles has prevented the execution of investment and reforms in national infrastructure, health and social services, and also economic projects.

By Salim A. Essaid

Syria

US citizen sues Syria over torture amid regional embrace of Assad

Obada Mzaik filed a federal lawsuit against the Syrian government over torture he says he endured during his three-week detention in 2012.

Turkey's Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman and Presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu speaks during a rally in Canakkale, western Turkey, on April 11, 2023.

Turkey’s opposition foreign policy promises gradual departure from Erdogan’s

Turkey’s opposition alliance vows to prioritize diplomacy and de-escalate tensions in Ankara’s foreign ties, yet it might adhere to policy continuity on many issues should it win the elections next month.

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad (left) meets with Saudi Foreign Affairs Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Jeddah on April 12, 2023.

Arab initiative offers best chance for Syria in years

The Saudi-brokered meeting and Jordanian road map could boost the long stalled Syrian political process; Turkey is still key to settlement; Assad also has his cards to play.

Pentagon leak

Leak reveals how Russia-Iran alignment could shift Israel’s support for Ukraine

A top-secret US intelligence document confirms Al-Monitor's prior reporting and suggests Israeli officials have been pressing the Biden administration for more support for operations against Iran.

Jared Szuba

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

Faisal

US officials visit Saudi Arabia as relations improve, yet tensions remain

The US and Saudi Arabia are in disagreement on oil, Syria and other matters, but the Biden administration has shifted to a friendlier approach to the kingdom.

AFP via Getty Images

Northeast Syria announces Captagon bust following Syrian FM's Saudi visit

Syria and Saudi Arabia recently pledged to work together on combating drug trafficking.

This picture shows a view of the Zaatari camp for Syrian refugees, near the Jordanian city of Mafraq.

Jordan proposes Syria peace plan during Arab FM Saudi meeting

The plan includes steps to tackle the refugee crisis and smuggling across borders.

DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP via Getty Images

Moldova court doubles prison sentence of pro-Russia politician hiding in Israel

A Moldovan appeals court has upheld the conviction of Israeli-Moldovan Ilan Shor and doubled his sentence for fraud and breach of trust.