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

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

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.

Police experts inspect a crater caused by a shell explosion following a Russian airstrike outside the National University of Urban Economy, Kharkiv, Ukraine, July 23, 2022.

Thousands of Egyptian students in Ukraine, Russia stuck in limbo amid war

The Egyptian government held a virtual meeting to address students’ challenges as those in Ukraine cope with the ongoing war and others in Russia are unable to pay tuition due to sanctions.

Iran protest

Iran police attack mourners at teenage protester’s grave

The protesters had gathered to mark 40 days since the 16-year-old girl died under disputed circumstances.

Muhammad Shia al-Sudani addresses parliament on Oct. 27, 2022.

Iraq's parliament votes to approve new PM, government

The Iraqi parliament gave a vote of confidence to incoming PM Muhammad Shia al-Sudani, approving his government program and his cabinet with 21 ministers. Sudani pledged to hold early elections within one year.

Israel's Defense Minister Benny Gantz attends a laying wreath ceremony at Anitkabir.

Turkey, Israel agree to strengthen defense ties

Israeli defense chief stressed stability in the Eastern Mediterranean during his landmark visit to Ankara amid lingering tensions between Turkey and Greece.

A participant faces riot policemen wearing a rainbow flag during a pride march in Istanbul, on June 26, 2022.

Turkey’s LGBTQ community alarmed over Erdogan’s ‘family’ vision

Rights activists in Turkey fear a rise in homophobic discrimination and hate crimes as Erdogan vocally stigmatizes the LGBTQ community.

at the United Nations Interim Force to Lebanon headquarters in Naqoura, Lebanon

Israel, Lebanon ink maritime border deal

Delegations from Israel, Lebanon, the United States, the United Nations and France gathered in Naqoura, Lebanon, to make the agreement on the Israeli-Lebanese maritime border official.