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

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Politics & Security

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Caught in the middle, Oman shrugs off Trump's latest Iran threat

For the second time in months, President Donald Trump has threatened to strike the US partner as it holds talks with Iran.

MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Houthis claim new strikes on Saudi Arabia after IRGC warning: What to know

A senior Iranian commander said Saudi Arabia will be unable to the defeat the Yemeni group as the conflict intensifies.

Turkey signals restraint as war of words with Israel escalates over Syria

The Turkish president’s top communications aide says Ankara will not be drawn into the Israeli government's “games” as Washington pushes a Turkey-Israel-Syria deconfliction mechanism.

Islamabad

Syria’s FM pays Pakistan first visit in 19 years amid new regional alignments

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani is paying his office's first visit to Pakistan in nearly two decades after Islamabad, Ankara and Riyadh signed a joint defense pact.

Latest News

Australia summons Israeli ambassador over World Central Kitchen strike: What to know

Zomi Frankcom

Interview

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

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.

Masrour Barzani

Masrour Barzani

KRG Prime Minister

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

Saddam Hifter meets with Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin

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

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.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Iran, Nov. 29, 2022.

Khamenei urges Iraqi PM to stand up to common 'enemies'

In meeting with Iranian president, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani also asks Iran to expand gas imports to meet electricity needs.