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Politics & Security

ilia YEFIMOVICH / AFP via Getty Images

Israel tightens election safeguards as public distrust surges: What to know

Israelis have lost trust in the government and in its ability or willingness to conduct free and fair elections.

A Turkish soldier from the 1st Border Regiment Command looks out over the border wall to Syria during alert drills at a military outpost on the Turkey/Syria border on March 2, 2017 in Kilis, Turkey.

Analysis

Why Turkey sees Israeli strikes in Syria as warning over its military role, Mecca Pact

Ankara views Israel’s latest strikes in Syria as part of a broader effort to curb Turkey’s military influence in Damascus and a challenge to its regional defense partnerships.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Turkey/Syria border

Analysis

Turkey bets on US deconfliction as Israel widens Syria red lines

As Washington pushes a new deconfliction mechanism between Turkey and Israel, the Jewish state shows little incentive to accept tighter constraints on its freedom of action in Syria, experts say.

Ezgi Akin

Rina Bassist

By Ezgi Akin , Rina Bassist

Latest News

Analysis

Can Trump's economic war ultimately force Iran to compromise?

People shop at a store in the Grand Reza Bazaar near the shrine of Imam Reza following the funeral of slain Iranian leader Ali Khamenei and his family members in Mashhad on July 10, 2026.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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

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)

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

Zaidi

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

Frej

Interview

Israeli Minister Frej joins Palestinian aid summit in Brussels

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Israel’s Regional Cooperation Minister Esawi Frej said that while a strong Palestinian Authority is "of course a Palestinian interest ... it is also an Israeli and international interest."

Esawi Frej

Esawi Frej

Minister for Regional Cooperation of Israel

ISIS

US targets Islamic State financiers in Turkey, Syria, Indonesia

The US hit five individuals with economic sanctions over aiding jihadi recruits via money transfer.

Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu

Difference over Syrian refugee policy behind unseemly feud between Turkish politicians

The founder of a small right-wing party challenges the interior minister in row over repatriations — but is it an attempt to gain support as Turks grow weary of refugees?

Enrique Mora

Top EU diplomat says offer may be 'last bullet' to pull off Iran nuclear deal

Tehran has dismissed expectations of a breakthrough as a top EU diplomat makes a last-ditch effort in Tehran.

Amateur musicians play in the Istanbul metro during the performance ban due to COVID-19 in Istanbul on June 9, 2021.

Silenced Turkish singers decry continued music ban

Turkish government persistence on not removing the live music ban draws outcry from the entertainment and music industry.

BAKR ALKASEM/AFP via Getty Images

US announces $800M in Syria aid as border-access vote looms

US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield urged the international community to ensure the latest Syria aid "actually reaches those in need."

Oleg Nikishin/Getty Images

Tensions ease as Israel, Russia affirm 'mutual respect'

A diplomatic crisis between Israel and Russia has eased as Russia's leader apologized for his foreign minister's offensive remark and the world celebrates Victory Day over the Nazis.

A giant election campaign board is seen supporting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in the upcoming presidential elections, Cairo, Egypt, March 17, 2018.

Egyptian political opposition prepares for national dialogue with government

There are several questions among Egypt’s political circles following the president’s call for a national dialogue with opposition forces.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett attends a Cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office, Jerusalem, March 27, 2022.

Israel’s prime minister loses grip on own party

With one Knesset member declared rebel and another one quitting the coalition, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett might soon find himself without a party at all.

Jordan's King Abdullah II, US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Queen Rania, Crown Prince Hussein and others.

Biden to meet Jordan’s king during Washington visit

King Abdullah is also expected at the Pentagon later this week.

Displaced Syrians arriving with their belongings in a convoy of trucks at a new housing complex.

Erdogan’s plan for return of Syrian refugees unlikely to succeed

Erdogan’s new plan to encourage the voluntary return of Syrian refugees promises little success as long as fighting, militia violations and insecurity continue in Syria.

Imamoglu

Istanbul mayor’s PR fiasco bruises presidential ambitions

Istanbul's popular opposition mayor hit a pothole on his informal presidential campaign trail when a photograph sparked outrage and he responded, some detractors say, like an aspiring Recep Tayyip Erdogan.