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Politics & Security

In this handout photo provided by the U.S. Navy, Two F/A-18 Super Hornets launch from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in support of Operation Epic Fury on March 3, 2026 in the Mediterranean Sea.

Breaking | Last Updated: April 29, 2026, 11:16 am

Pentagon: Iran war has cost US estimated $25B so far

A supplemental request won’t be delivered to Congress until the Pentagon fully assesses the war’s cost, a top budget official told House lawmakers.

Displaced Palestinian people look at paintings at an open-air art exhibition at the Bureij camp for Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza Strip on April 28, 2026. The majority of Gaza's 2.4 million people have been displaced, often multiple times, by the war that began with Hamas's attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. With displaced families living in tented camps, with serious concerns raised about their living conditions. (Photo by Eyad Baba / AFP via Getty Images) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDI

Analysis

Why Abbas' win in Gaza remains 'symbolic,' not rejection of Hamas

Affiliates of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas performed relatively well in the municipal elections, though the vote was marred by complications relating to the war and the exclusion of Hamas.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

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

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.

Latest News

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

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.

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.

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

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Military assistance to Ukraine becomes Israeli electoral issue

Human rights activist and former Israeli minister Nathan Sharansky met last week in Kyiv with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and apologized for being the first Israeli official to come.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men and children perform the "Tashlich" ritual, during which "sins are cast into the water to the fish," ahead of the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), Netanya, Israel, Oct. 3, 2022.

Israel's ultra-Orthodox parties make final push ahead of election

With the young ultra-Orthodox sick of their veteran politicians and expressing support for ultranationalist Itamar Ben-Gvir, the ultra-Orthodox parties fear losing votes.

Former Israeli Prime Minister and Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to supporters inside a modified truck with a side bulletproof glass during a campaign event, Bnei Brak, Israel, Oct. 29, 2022.

Netanyahu within reach of comeback in Israeli election

Last polls before tomorrow’s elections predict that opposition head Benjamin Netanyahu is very close to achieving the 61-seat majority he needs in the Knesset to come back to power.

People hold up placards during a rally in support of the demonstrations in Iran, at The Place de la Republique in Paris, on Oct. 29, 2022.

IRGC warns Iran protesters as unrest enters seventh week

Despite the warning, the protests swelled, and faced an escalation in violent police raids on funerals, campuses and dormitories.

Turkey drone

Turkey looks to sell armed drones to Libya

Ankara’s new deals with one of Libya’s rival premiers have inflamed the country’s internal rows, bringing the north African nation closer to acquiring armed drones.

Iraqi Prime Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with his cabinet on Oct. 28, 2022 in Baghdad.

Iraq's new premier meets with cabinet

Iraq's new government has held its first cabinet meeting in Baghdad.

JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images

Qatar summons German ambassador over World Cup criticism

Qatar, which will be the first Middle East country to host the World Cup, has been criticized by Germany for its human rights record.

Maja Hitij/Getty Images

Analysis

Are Iran’s protests different this time?

Protesters hope to bring change, maybe even to the regime, but it's not yet visible.

Week in Review

By Week in Review

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Breaking | Last Updated: October 28, 2022, 2:50 pm

US sanctions Iranian foundation over Rushdie attack

The United States designated the 15 Khordad Foundation for financially backing the call for Salman Rushdie’s death.

Israeli campaign posters

As countdown begins, Israeli vote defies prediction

None of the many possible outcomes of next week's vote offer real hope for a stable, majority-supported new government in Israel.

Arab Israeli

Arab groups cooperate to raise turnout in Israeli election

A coalition of groups refuses to accept surveys predicting an especially low turnout of Israeli Arab voters at election booths next week.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz (L) with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) and Defense Minister Hulusi Akar (R), Presidential Palace, Ankara, Turkey, Oct. 27 2022.

Turkey, Israel relaunch security ties during historic visit

On a historic official visit to Ankara, and after meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz announced the official resumption of bilateral security relations.