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

YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey’s Central Bank raises inflation forecast yet again

Turkey's central bank governor has raised the inflation estimate for the fourth time in a year as prices hit a 24-year high.

Israeli Foreign Minister and alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid meets with Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry at Tahrir Palace, Cairo, Egypt, Dec. 9, 2021.

In rare visit to Egypt, Israel’s Lapid to attend COP27 climate summit

The COP27 in Egypt will be launched a week after the general elections in Israel, but Prime Minister Yair Lapid intends to participate in the conference whatever the outcome of the vote.

An Iranian arrives for the opening day of the Tehran International Short Film Festival (TISFF) in the Iranian capital on Oct. 19, 2021.

Iran film festival faces membership suspension and withdrawals amid unrest

The Tehran International Short Film Festival’s credibility hangs in the balance after the international Short Film Conference found its board supportive of “disgraceful government actions” during the Iran uprisings and suspended its membership in response.

Mourners attend the funeral of Palestinians killed in an overnight Israeli raid, in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus on Oct. 25, 2022.

Israel expands military operations in West Bank ahead of elections

Israeli forces kill five Palestinians in attack on Lion's Den complex in Nablus.

This image obtained from the Iranian news agency IRNA on October 16, 2022.

British-American detainee Tahbaz returned to Iran's Evin Prison

Morad Tahbaz, who also holds Iranian citizenship, was released on a temporary furlough in July.

Iran protest

Analysis

The Takeaway: US weighs options amid Iran’s protest crackdown

The Biden administration has rolled out new sanctions on Iranian officials linked to the widening crackdown on protesters, but is facing pressure to do more from activists who want the regime toppled.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Andrew Parasiliti

By Elizabeth Hagedorn , Andrew Parasiliti

Iran drones

Iran denies its drones are being used in Ukraine war

Iran's foreign minister warned Europe against taking an "unconstructive" path with further sanctions.

Turkey media

Siege tightens around Turkey’s critical newsrooms ahead of election

Government opponents fear Ankara will use all of its means to stifle unfavorable news and public debate ahead of crucial elections next year.

KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images

Qatar scraps COVID testing ahead of World Cup

Many of the region's pandemic restrictions are ending and the United Arab Emirates also recently removed its longstanding mask mandate.

YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey detains head of medical association on terror charges

Sebnem Korur Fincanci was detained for allegedly disseminating "terrorist propaganda" a day after a political ally of the government demanded her Turkish citizenship be revoked and the Turkish Medical Association be closed down.

Iraq Human Rights Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

Iraqi parliament set to vote on new government

One year after Iraq's elections, the designated prime minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, stands poised to form Iraq's newest government.

Worshippers pray at the Shah-e Cheragh shrine on May 29, 2014, in Shiraz, Iran.

At least 15 shot dead at Iranian shrine

The Islamic State reportedly claimed the attack.