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

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Politics & Security

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Israel rejects Ukraine's claim that Russian shadow fleet vessel docked in Haifa

Ukraine alleges the vessel unloaded wheat taken from occupied territories in Haifa, while Israel says ship had not entered the port.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C), alongside US State Department Counselor Michael Needham (2L) and US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa (2R), speaks during a meeting.

US seeks to train Lebanon army units to disarm Hezbollah: What to know

Funding for such a program remains unclear, though the Pentagon has requested $36 million for fiscal year 2027 to support Lebanon’s army.

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Despite Trump pressure to limit Israel's Lebanon attacks, Aoun-Netanyahu meeting still unlikely

As President Donald Trump pressures Israel to limit its strikes in Lebanon, Hezbollah is taking advantage of the situation.

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

Thomas Kronsteiner/Getty Images)

Breaking | Last Updated: April 28, 2026, 8:54 am

UAE to leave OPEC on May 1

The United Arab Emirates says it will focus more on domestic production amid the US-Israel-Iran war.

United Arab Emirates

Latest News

Iran floats ‘plan B’ to defuse Hormuz standoff, delay nuclear talks

Iranian walks past a giant billboard reading "The Strait of Hormuz remains closed" at the Revolution Square in Tehran on April 22, 2026.

Bahrain strips 69 people of citizenship for 'glorifying' Iran attacks

People walk along an alley at a bazaar in Bahrain's capital, Manama, on March 11, 2026.

Iraq's Shiite alliance nominates Ali al-Zaidi as PM candidate: What to know

Ali al-Zaidi

'Treason is war for external interests': Lebanon’s Aoun hits back at Hezbollah

Lebanese president Joseph Aoun (L) stands next to the parliament speaker Nabih Berri as he delivers a speech at the parliament building in Beirut Jan. 9, 2025.

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

Botter Apartmani

Building restoration program shores up Istanbul’s cultural heritage

Istanbul is working to protect its neglected structures while providing arts and culture spaces for the public.

ABBAS MOMANI/AFP via Getty Images

French Palestinian detained in Israel to be released, deported to France

Citing his support of terror activities, Israeli authorities have decided to release Palestinian and French citizen Salah Hamouri from administrative detention, revoke his Jerusalem residency and expel him to France.

Israel's UN envoy Gilad Erdan inaugurating an exposition on the expulsion of Jews from Arab countries and Iran, UN headquarters in New York, NY, Nov. 29, 2022.

Expulsion of Jews from Arab countries on display at UN headquarters

For the first time, Israel features at the United Nations an exhibition of documents and pictures that tell the story of the Jews forced to leave their homes in Arab countries and Iran over the establishment of the State of Israel.

MAST IRHAM/AFP via Getty Images

India invites Egypt to G20 summits

India has invited Egypt to be a guest country at the G20 meetings under its 2023 presidency.

Israeli right-wing Knesset member Itamar Ben-Gvir (R) chats with incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L).

The Takeaway: US-Palestinian ties get upgrade ahead of Netanyahu’s return

Plus, US diplomats are evacuated from Syria and prospects sink for a revived Iranian nuclear deal.

Iranian students from the Islamic Basij volunteer militia protest in Tehran on July 16, 2022.

Iran claims dozens of foreign spy organizations behind protests

The commander of Iran’s Basij Organization says that the United States is engaged in a hybrid war against the country.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (R) and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken talk.

Turkey presses Finland, Sweden for ‘asset freeze,’ extraditions

Ankara demands “concrete steps” from Sweden and Finland before giving the nod to NATO's Nordic enlargement, including an “asset freeze,” a demand that hasn’t been expressed publicly before.

Israel Hebron

Ultranationalist Ben Gvir supports far-right soldier

Soon-to-be National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir is already inciting against IDF top brass, criticizing them for punishing a soldier who clashed with left-wing protesters.

Fans hold up a banner reading "Free Palestine" during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group A match between Netherlands and Qatar at Al Bayt Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar.

The Palestine Briefing: Palestinians see increased solidarity amid violence escalation

In this weekly newsletter, Daoud Kuttab rounds up the biggest stories from Palestine.

GIL COHEN-MAGEN/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli soccer fans find cold welcome in Qatar

The joy of many Israeli soccer fans over traveling to Qatar for the World Cup was quickly soured by rejection from Arab soccer fans.

Syria Kurds

Pentagon's concerns grow as Syria's Kurds prepare for Turkish assault

Syrian Kurdish commander's plans to defend Kobani and Manbij have US military officials worried about security at prisons holding some 10,000 former IS fighters.

Iraq kurds

Iran's Khamenei tells Iraq to move against Kurdish groups

While Iraq has been unsettled by Iranian strikes on Kurdish groups, Tehran appeared adamant in its demand for their ouster from Iraqi soil.