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.

Burhaanettin Duran

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.

Latest News

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

Islamabad

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

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

Participants wave Israeli and pride flags during the annual Pride parade, Jerusalem, Aug. 2, 2018.

Netanyahu’s new coalition makes Israeli LGBTQ community anxious

Leaders of the LGBTQ communities are afraid that the religious partners of Prime Minister-to-be Benjamin Netanyahu will curtail the rights achieved after long battles and campaigns.

COP27 at Sharm el-Sheikh

COP27 kicks off in Egypt

Green hydrogen will be just one of many focal points at the annual UN conference on climate change.

Palestinian journalists protest in Gaza City against attacks on journalists in the Palestinian territories, Aug. 28, 2007.

Hamas cracks down on journalists, activists in Gaza

Hamas police forces continue to raid the homes of activists in the Gaza Strip who expose the corruption of Hamas figures and members.

Israeli security forces take cover from Palestinian stone-throwers amid clashes in the West Bank city of Hebron on Nov. 4, 2022.

Palestinians quake as Netanyahu returns to power in Israel

Palestinians are concerned about Benjamin Netanyahu’s return to power, as Israel escalates its attacks in the West Bank.

Sudanese gather amid renewed ethnic clashes in al-Roseires, despite a cease-fire agreement between rival groups following deadly violence weeks ago, Blue Nile state, Sudan, Sept. 2, 2022.

New wave of violence in Sudan puts coup generals in spotlight

Renewed fierce clashes in the Blue Nile state have again shown the generals’ inability to ensure security and revealed the weaknesses of the peace agreement in place, causing new rifts.

Toomaj Salehi

Iran arrests dissident rapper amid anti-government protests

Toomaj Salehi was active on social media regarding the protests in Iran that began in the wake of Mahsa Amini’s death in the custody of the morality police on Sept. 16.

People wave flags of Libya (R) and Turkey (L) during a demonstration in Martyrs' Square, Tripoli, Libya, June 21, 2020.

Libya derails Egypt-Turkey rapprochement

Egypt-Turkey talks to normalize their relations were halted in the wake of Ankara’s recent oil deal with Libya's Tripoli-based government.

Members of the Hamas security forces show their skills in a drill held during a graduation ceremony, Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Oct. 31, 2022.

Gaza factions brace for Israeli assassinations

Palestinian factions are on high alert in the Gaza Strip amid concerns that Israel will carry out assassination operations against figures it accuses of inciting attacks in the West Bank.

Israel election

Analysis

Netanyahu unlikely to upset US ties over Iran, Lebanon

Lion's Den fighters shift attacks from Nablus to Hebron; Palestinian startups get warm welcome in Dubai.

Week in Review

By Week in Review

Ben-Gvir

Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition could upend Israeli democracy

Incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a dangerous deal with far-right and religious radical partners who are sure to undercut Israeli's democratic institutions.

Former Israeli Prime Minister and Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu speak to the press after casting their vote in the Israeli general election, Jerusalem, Nov. 1, 2022.

Netanyahu back with Israel's furthest-right government ever

About to establish his sixth government, Benjamin Netanyahu must partner exclusively with religious and far-right partners.

Iranian refugees and Iranians living in Greece hold up placards during a demonstration to commemorate 40 days from the death of Iranian Mahsa Amini while in police custody in Iran, in central Athens on Oct. 29, 2022.

Iran rocked by more violence as protesters mourn victims

The clashes saw angry protesters taking on government forces, who had opened fire and blocked ways to the victims’ graves.