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Politics & Security

The Ateela 2 oil tanker boat navigates the sea on April 28, 2026, on Qeshm Island, Iran, in the Strait of Hormuz.

Analysis

How long can Iran's economy withstand Trump's naval blockade?

Iranian authorities are denouncing US seizures of the country's oil tankers as piracy, but mounting disruptions to maritime trade are exposing economic fragility beneath Tehran's claims of control and resilience.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Prime Minister Mohammed S. al-Sudani met with Prime Minister-designate Ali Faleh al-Zaidi on April 28, 2026.

Meet Ali al-Zaidi, businessman and Iraq's new prime minister-designate

Legal sources familiar with the nominee told Al-Monitor that there are no US sanctions on Zaidi or financial institutions affiliated with him.

Cadets of the Saiqa Force (Special Forces) of the self-styled Libyan National Army affiliated with eastern strongman Khalifa Hifter take part in a graduation ceremony in tribute to the force's late commander, Wanis Bukhamada, in the eastern city of Benghazi, on Jan. 20, 2022.

In first, Libya’s rival armies to join drill in Turkey: What to know

The move follows the first joint exercise inside Libya amid renewed international efforts to unify the country.

Latest News

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

DENIS LOVROVIC/AFP via Getty Images

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

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.

Analysis

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

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

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

Breaking

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

UAE to leave OPEC on May 1

Thomas Kronsteiner/Getty Images)

United Arab Emirates

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

Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune delivers a speech during a signing ceremony in the pavilion of honor at Algiers airport, Algiers, Algeria, Aug. 27, 2022.

Algeria forces Russia to make concessions

As the war in Ukraine carries on, the list of problematic issues between Algeria and Moscow is growing.

Bezalel Smotrich, Israeli far-right lawmaker and leader of the Religious Zionist Party.

US apprehensive Netanyahu will nominate far-right defense minister

More and more American and Arab officials are sending designated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu messages, warning him against offering far-right Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich the defense portfolio.

Palestinian Fatah movement supporters gather during a rally commemorating the 18th anniversary of late Palestininian leader Yasser Arafat's death in the West Bank city of Nablus on November 14, 2022.

The Palestine Briefing: Palestinians remember Arafat as internal rivalries escalate

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

Iranians walk past Iran's Shahed 129 drone displayed during celebrations in Tehran to mark the 37th anniversary of the Islamic revolution on Feb. 11, 2016.

Breaking | Last Updated: November 15, 2022, 4:21 pm

US sanctions target production, transfer of Iranian drones to Russia

The US Treasury Department targeted the Iranian manufacturer of the Shahed-series drones used in recent Russian attacks in Kyiv, Odesa and the Kharkiv region of Ukraine.

SONNY TUMBELAKA/AFP via Getty Images

Erdogan, Biden talk NATO enlargement, security at G20

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US leader Joe Biden held a rare meeting in the wake of the Turkish interior minister's accusations that Washington supports Kurdish militant groups.

NATO’s Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Security Policy Bettina Cadenbach (3rd R) with other NATO seniors at a meeting in Israel with Foreign Ministry officials, Jerusalem, Nov. 14 2022.

Senior NATO official visits Israel as Ukraine war rages on

Senior NATO officials find the time to visit Israel, strengthen relations and seek more venues for collaboration.

Members of the United Nations General Assembly vote on a draft resolution during a special session in the General Assembly Hall, UN headquarters, New York, Nov. 14, 2022.

Israel abstains on UN vote against Russia over Ukraine war

The Kremlin and the White House are both waiting to see if Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu will shift Israel’s policy on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Fighters from the Third Legion of the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army.

Infighting in Turkish-backed faction leads to tension in Syria's Afrin

It seems Hayat Tahrir al-Sham lost a loyal faction after several currents with the Turkish-backed Ahrar al-Sham factions isolated the movement’s current leadership and appointed their own leader.

Algeria's Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab.

Turkey eyes risky energy partnership with Algeria

Turkey’s plan for joint oil and gas exploration with Algeria raises the specter of operational and financial challenges for a country already under economic strain, experts say.

A man holds up an Iranian flag during a vigil in support of protestors in Iran.

Iran sentences protester to death

Iran’s judiciary sentenced a protester to death for setting fire to a government building.

The headquarters of BlackRock on Nov. 4, 2021, in New York City.

Saudi Public Investment Fund partners with BlackRock

The US investment firm also signed a cooperation deal with the UAE earlier this year.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan speaks to the press at the White House on Nov. 10, 2022, in Washington, DC.

US alarmed by death sentence, sham trials of protesters in Iran

National security adviser Jake Sullivan warned of consequences if Iran's repression of peaceful protesters continues.