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

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Politics & Security

A tank is seen at the Abu Duhur military airport area in Idlib province, on Jan. 21, 2018.

What we know about Israeli strikes on Syrian air base tied to Turkey

An Israeli official told Fox News on Tuesday that Israel shared “highly sensitive intelligence” with the US ahead of the strike, without providing further details.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

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

Ohad Zwigenberg / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Netanyahu yields to Trump on Gaza, betting Hamas won’t disarm

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu agreed to advance the US administration's Gaza plan in a meeting with envoy Jared Kushner despite his skepticism about Hamas' commitment.

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

Katz

After 44 years, Israel retrieves remains of soldier killed in Lebanon: What to know

The Israeli military recovered the remains of Yehuda Katz, an Israeli soldier who was killed in the Battle of Sultan Yacoub in Lebanon 44 years ago.

Latest News

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

Sudanese army soldier stands in front of a tank

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

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.

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

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.

Explainer

Why Iran targeted Barzani family stronghold in Iraqi Kurdistan

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

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

An AS332 Super Puma military helicopter flies during a graduation ceremony for Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga officers in Arbil, the capital of Iraq's northern autonomous Kurdish region, on June 21, 2021.

Iraqi Kurdish officials say PKK militants killed in chopper crash near Turkey border

No one has yet claimed any connection to a helicopter that crashed in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region Wednesday night, killing seven people.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Israel to provide Ukraine with anti-drone systems, as Netanyahu visits Germany

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has gone on the offensive, arguing in Berlin that his judicial reform will strengthen Israeli democracy, not weaken it.

In an undated image, Assistant US Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf speaks during a reception at the Library of Congress.

State Department's Barbara Leaf arrives in Middle East for 10-day visit

Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf will make stops in Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and Tunisia.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

VLADIMIR GERDO/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey-Syria summit postponed at last minute as Russia nudges rivals to reconcile

The two countries' deputy foreign ministers plus those of Russia and Iran had been due to meet to discuss further rapprochement efforts.

Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, political committee chief of Tunisia's Amal Party and leader of the opposition National Salvation Front part in a demonstration in Tunis on March 5, 2023, in defiance of a protest ban, demanding the release of prominent figures opposed to the president who were arrested in recent weeks. - More than 20 political figures have been arrested in the North African country in recent weeks, including members the main opposition coalition, the National Salvation Front (NSF) and its main component

Tunisian authorities arrest union leader as Saied widens crackdown

More critics and opponents of President Kais Saied are being detained on an almost daily basis amid a growing crackdown.

Demonstrators confront Israeli mounted policemen during a rally against the government's controversial judicial overhaul bill in Tel Aviv on March 16, 2023. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Israelis block roads as Netanyahu rejects judicial overhaul compromise

Rallies across Israel continue for the 10th week in a row against the government’s judicial overhaul plan, after the coalition rejected a compromise suggested by the president.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi arrives for the IAEA Board of Governors meeting on March 06, 2023 in Vienna, Austria.

IAEA’s Grossi expects Iran’s cooperation as technical team readies visit

Sweden nato

Finland's leader to visit Turkey as Erdogan greenlights NATO bid

But the Turkish president has remained resolute in denying Sweden's entry to the alliance, dimming the hopes for Sweden and Finland’s joint accession.

France's President Emmanuel Macron (L) arrives with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a working dinner at presidential Elysee Palace in Paris on July 28, 2022. - French President Emmanuel Macron host Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for talks in Paris on July 28, 2022, outraging rights groups and the fiancee of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. (Photo by BENOIT TESSIER / POOL / AFP) (Photo by BENOIT TESSIER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

France cautious about China's role but welcomes Iran-Saudi agreement

Paris would have much preferred that the Saudi-Iran rapprochement would have been reached by means other than Chinese mediation.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Turkey flood

Criticism of disaster response rises as floods hit Turkey’s quake-ravaged southeast

At least 14 people have died in flooding in earthquake-ravaged Adiyaman and Sanliurfa provinces, leading to renewed criticism of the government’s emergency response.

Amphetamine

Saudi Arabia seizes 4.6 million amphetamine pills in bathroom shipment

A Jordanian national was apprehended in Jeddah while receiving the amphetamine shipment hidden in ceramic toilets, sinks and washbasins.

Tunisian protesters raise placards and national flags.

Biden administration budget would slash Tunisia’s economic aid

The State Department’s latest budget calls for steep cuts to US economic aid to several countries in the Middle East while largely sustaining military aid.