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

politics and security cover image

Politics & Security

Members and supporters of the Nafas movement take part in an anti-government protest against Tunisian President Kais Saied, chanting "Degage" and calling for political change, in Tunis,Tunisia on August 20,2026. (Photo by Imen Ben Youssef / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images)

Tunisia’s water, power crisis fuels growing protests against Saied: What to know

A utility crisis is giving momentum to opposition forces challenging Saied’s grip on power.

Zaidi

Iraq’s Zaidi doubles down on militia disarmament, boosting oil exports

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi made the comments amid Hormuz-related export struggles and a nearing deadline for armed groups to disarm.

ANKARA, TURKEY - JULY 7: U.S. President Donald Trump (L)shakes hands with with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) during a formal arrival at the Bestepe Presidential Palace during the NATO summit on July 7, 2026 in Ankara, Turkey. Leaders from NATO's 32 countries, plus NATO allies like Ukraine, gathered in the Turkish capital to discuss a range of issues involving spending targets, defense industrial production, and support for Ukraine, among other topics. (Photo by Emrah Gurel - Pool/Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel fears Turkey’s Syria ambitions and doubts Trump will stop them

Israeli officials remain skeptical of Turkish and Syrian denials over Ankara’s military ambitions in Syria, warning that a deeper Turkish foothold could threaten Israel’s security and strain its ties with Washington.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Latest News

Saudi crown prince heads to France as ties deepen: What to expect

LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images

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

Win McNamee/Getty Images

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

MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP via Getty Images)

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

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian listens during a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart at the Foreign Ministry headquarters, Tehran, Iran, June 23, 2022.

US renews Iran sanctions waiver for civilian nuclear activities

The waiver renewal comes as the United States and Iran consider a final text of an agreement to revive the 2015 nuclear deal.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran negotiators return home, call for 'seriousness' on nuclear deal

The Iranian press has been cautiously optimistic since negotiators returned home for consultation on an agreement to revive the 2015 nuclear deal.

Security forces deploy during a rally called for by the New Generation movement.

US 'concerned' about response to protests in Kurdistan Region

Press freedom issues are not new in the autonomous Iraqi region.

This picture taken from the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon shows Palestinian rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, Aug. 7, 2022.

Israel-Hamas understanding key to quick end to Gaza fighting

Egypt-Qatar mediation brought about what Israel was seeking — a quick end to the violent conflict with Islamic Jihad.

Supporters of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr gather outside the Iraqi parliament in the Green Zone.

Muqtada al-Sadr uses street pressure to set political conditions for his rivals

Influential Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr vowed that new elections would be held as his followers flocked to a mass prayer in the occupied parts of Baghdad’s Green Zone after 10 months of political deadlock.

Turkish activists and opposition members gather with pictures of victims — largely from the Alevi community — killed in Madimak Otel on July 2, 2018, in Sivas.

Attacks on Alevi places of worship rattle Turkey

The AKP government, which faces an uphill battle to mend ties with the Alevi community ahead of next year’s elections, pledges to bring culprits to justice.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani.

Iran nuclear talks make slow progress

Wrapping up the latest round of nuclear talks in Vienna, the two sides are currently making progress — but issues remain.

ALEX HALADA/AFP via Getty Images

'Political decisions' required to close Iran nuclear deal, says EU

Negotiators are returning to their capitals to decide on a revised "final text" following the latest Vienna talks.

Yesh Atid rally

Israel’s Lapid scores political points with Gaza operation

Israel's brief operation in Gaza was a military success, but credit to Prime Minister Yair Lapid for it is unlikely to win him the election.

MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images

Gaza truce holding after three days of fighting

Israel sees military operation against Islamic Jihad in Gaza as success.

Kurdistan guns

Kurdistan Region pursues gun control after deadly shootings

The autonomous government in northern Iraq has an ambitious plan to curb gun violence, but some in the region have concerns about the feasibility of gun control due to societal and political factors.

Palestinian women watch the funeral procession of members of the al-Nabahin family at al-Bureij refugee camp, after they were killed during the latest three-day conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants before a cease-fire, central Gaza strip, Aug. 8, 2022

Islamic Jihad agrees to truce in return for prisoners held in Israel

An agreement sponsored by Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations includes a cease-fire by Islamic Jihad in exchange for Israel releasing two prominent Islamic Jihad leaders in the West Bank as soon as possible.