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Politics & Security

Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government, gives a press conference in the autonomous region's capital Arbil on June 25, 2025.

Interview

Barzani calls for enhanced air defense for Kurdistan Region to counter drone attacks

Iraqi Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani backs US-led regional economic integration efforts and lauds US partnership in an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor.

Masrour Barzani

Masrour Barzani

KRG Prime Minister

Saddam Hifter meets with Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin

Russia’s Putin hosts Saddam Hifter amid instability in Libya: What to know

Moscow has built a strong relationship with Libya’s eastern camp, as Washington and Ankara pursue efforts to reunify the country’s political and military institutions.

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images

Exclusive

Saudi Arabia wants Iran-backed militia 'heads to roll' in Iraq amid talks with Tehran

Riyadh is pressing Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to act against the groups behind attacks on the kingdom as Baghdad struggles to balance ties with Tehran and Washington.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf speaks during a press conference at the site where Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed by a US airstrike in 2020 near the airport upon his arrival in Baghdad, on Aug. 19, 2026.

Iran’s Ghalibaf makes high-level visit to Iraq ahead of disarmament deadline

The Iraqi parliament speaker is calling on his Iranian counterpart to help Iraq export oil through Hormuz amid the regional conflict.

Latest News

With talks stalled, Iran ups threats against Gulf, Europe: What to know

Pedestrians walk past a billboard depicting Iran's late Supreme Leaders Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2026.

In first, Lebanon to hand over former Syrian general to Sharaa government

This handout picture released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency on Aug. 18, 2026, shows Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan (C) during the sentencing of Wassim al-Assad.

Analysis

How failing US-Iran diplomacy is giving way to fresh confrontation

Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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

Israeli Knesset (Israeli parliament) member Bezalel Smotrich (L), leader of the Religious Zionist Party, speaks with his colleague and party member Orit Strook (R).

Israel in turmoil over proposal to cancel anti-discrimination law

With the president, politicians, intellectuals and celebrities slamming an amendment proposed by future coalition members to cancel the anti-discrimination law, incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finds himself in a bind.

A protester holds a banner with the image of Mahsa Amini as demonstrators gather in front of the Brandenburg Gate to march in solidarity with protesters in Iran on October 15, 2022 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Omer Messinger/Getty Images)

2022 in review: Iran's protests threw another wrench into JCPOA revival

US President Joe Biden ended 2022 without a restored Iranian nuclear agreement, and experts say the chances of a revived pact look even dimmer in the coming year.

ALEX HALADA/AFP via Getty Images

Iran says nuclear deal still 'on the table'

According to Iran’s Foreign Ministry, the nuclear deal could still be restored.

Christian Orthodox worshippers arrive to take part in a baptism ceremony to celebrate Epiphany on the banks of the Jordan River, in what is believed to be the site of Jesus' baptism, near Jericho in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on January 18, 2022. (Photo by ABBAS MOMANI/AFP via Getty Images)

Inside Jordan's plan to revamp the baptism site of Jesus

The $300 million project accompanying the Bethany beyond Jordan, includes a "tourist village" and two major phases starting in 2023 and ending in 2030.

Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (C) raises his hands toward cheering supporters while standing next to Venezuela's Foreign Minister Elias Jaua (R) as he enters the funeral for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez at the Military Academy on March 8, 2013 in Caracas, Venezuela. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

What's behind Ahmadinejad's awkward silence on Iran's protests?

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s silence since the beginning of the protests in Iran on Sept. 16 is curious and exposes his possible intentions to remain an establishment loyalist rather than falling out of grace with the ruling clerics.

US Central Command Commander Gen. Michael Kurilla speaks at the 18th IISS Manama Dialogue, Manama, Bahrain, Nov. 19, 2022.

US working with Saudi Arabia on strategic military plans, general says

The Biden administration is leveraging the Pentagon to quietly rebuild trust with Riyadh in the wake of a very public dispute.

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

Bars toast holiday season in Lebanon

Lebanon's beleaguered food and beverage sector is hoping for relief from holiday travelers.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy receives from US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (L) a US national flag.

Iran says patience running thin with Zelenskyy's accusations over Ukraine war

Iran and Ukraine appeared to be entering a new phase in their war of words, triggered by evidence of Tehran's shipment of deadly combat drones to Moscow.

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images

Iraqi PM orders 'unconventional methods' to stop Islamic State attacks

The killing of soldiers and civilians in multiple IS attacks in two governorates has prompted calls for a change in tactics.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey calls for more action, not words, from Sweden 

Turkey's foreign minister has told his Swedish counterpart that while Ankara welcomes the steps Sweden has taken to get Turkey’s nod for NATO membership, they are not even “halfway” toward fulfilling Stockholm's commitments.

Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett arrives to attend the first cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on July 3, 2022, days after lawmakers dissolved parliament.

Israeli leaders take credit for blocking Iran nuclear deal

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett took credit for the current deadlock in talks between Iran and world powers.

Esmail Qaani

Iran's Quds Force leader criticizes women without hijabs

Speaking about the protests in Iran for the first time, Esmail Qaani said that 'honorable women' wear headscarves.