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

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Politics & Security

Iranian ambassador Mohammad Reza Sheibani

In shift, Lebanon grants Iranian ambassador residency extension

Mohammad Reza Sheibani’s visa was set to expire early Tuesday morning and he was first ordered to leave in March.

Chengdu J-10 Vigorous Dragon fighter aircraft

China holds second air drill with Egypt: What to know

China is seeking to strengthen ties with Egypt and Gulf states, including via joint air drills.

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander-in-chief Mazloum Kobane speaks during a press conference in Syria's northeastern city of Hasakeh on Dec. 6, 2024.

Explainer

SDF chief Kobane’s Damascus visit a high wire act for Syria’s Kurds

The SDF says its integration with Damascus is complete, but major questions remain over its fighters, weapons and the future of Kurdish self-rule.

Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent addresses the audience during opening remarks at the Ministerial on the Resurgence of Political Terrorism at the State Department on July 16, 2026 in Washington, DC. Bessent spoke alongside U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller as they discussed the rise of far-left political terrorism as a transnational threat. (Photo by Finn Gomez/Getty Images)

In 'warning shot,' US threatens sanctions on Iran’s trading partners

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said countries were given "defined timelines" to halt business with Iran or face US sanctions.

Latest News

Houthis claim strike on Saudi oil tanker off Yanbu: What to know

Supporters of Yemen's Houthi rebel movement carry a mock rocket as they demonstrate in the capital, Sanaa, to denounce a reported air strike by the Saudi-led coalition on a prison in the country's rebel-held north, on Jan. 21, 2022.

Ex-defense minister: Israel in ‘worst possible’ Gaza situation as Hamas gains strength

Palestinian militant group Hamas police officers stand guard as people attend the opening of the Fatah party's eighth general conference at Al-Azhar University in Gaza City on May 14, 2026.

US lifts Syria's terror designation after 47 years

ANKARA, TURKEY - JULY 08: U.S. President Donald Trump (R) meets with Ahmed al-Sharaa, President of Syria (L) for bilateral talks at Beştepe Presidential Compound during the NATO Summit on July 08, 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 Win McNamee/Getty Images)

In Lebanon, Italy proposes robust multinational force to replace UNIFIL: What to know

ALINE DESCHAMPS/Middle East Images/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

Russian navy's submarine Rostov-on-Don sails with a naval ensign of the Russian Federation through the Bosporus on the way to the Black Sea past the city of Istanbul, Turkey, Feb. 13, 2022.

Turkey's Black Sea warning may impact Syria more than Ukraine

Chelsea owner Russian-born Jewish oligarch Roman Abramovich looks on from the stands during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, London, England, April 16, 2016.

Analysis

Israel torn over ties with Russian oligarchs

Formulating its policy on the Ukraine crisis, Israel must take into account its coordination with Russia in Syria, its special relations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, its super important alliance with the United States and its large Russian-Ukraine-born population.

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

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit (L) gives a statement while accompanied by Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah during a meeting of the foreign ministers of the Arab League state, Kuwait City, Kuwait, Jan. 30, 2022.

Egypt-Kuwait talks address bilateral ties, Arab summit, challenges

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi recently visited Kuwait where he met with the emir and crown prince to discuss the upcoming Arab League summit in Algeria, as Egypt regains its pivotal regional role.

Bedouins

Bedouins skirt Israeli law against polygamy

Arab residents of the Negev in southern Israel are bypassing the Israeli law that prohibits polygamy through a practice known as a “cohabitation marriage” that is registered outside the Sharia courts.

Nasiriyah protest

Iraqi officer arrested for 2019 killing of protesters

An interior ministry officer accused of serious human rights abuses during the war against the Islamic State has been arrested after documents emerged allegedly showing his direct involvement in the 2019 killing of protesters.

Turkish-backed policemen man a checkpoint in the northwestern Syrian city of Afrin on March 31, 2018.

Infighting between Islamist, Turkish-backed armed groups continues in north Syria

Infighting between Turkish-backed factions in north Syria continues despite pleas by civilians, with most recently dozens of members of the civilian police resigning in response to a shootout with the military police that left two of its members wounded.

A Palestinian laborer stacks tomato crates at a farm in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, March 12, 2015.

Israeli agricultural Sabbath offers Gazan farmers hope

Although Israel imposed economic restrictions on agricultural exports from the Gaza Strip in 2007, Shmita offers Gazan farmers an opportunity to export vegetables to Israel, as the Israeli land is left to rest.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) talks to Russia's Chief Mufti Talgat Tadzhuddin (back) during their meeting in Kazan on Jan. 24, 2018.

Facing Western isolation over Ukraine, Russia looks to Mideast, Islamic world

As sanctions against Russia continue to increase, Moscow will likely focus on states in the Islamic world and the Middle East for support — but even this window may be closing.

Kurdish riot police stand guard during a demonstration to denounce a Turkish assault in northern Iraq in Sulaimaniya on June 18, 2020.

Turkey bombs village in Iraqi Kurdistan, targeting PKK

Turkey's conflict with the PKK has so far this year been concentrated in northern Iraq.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey, Azerbaijan step up aid to Ukraine

Despite their valuable ties with Russia, Turkey and its close ally Azerbaijan are busily sending aid shipments to Ukraine.

AFP via Getty Images

How Russia's invasion of Ukraine will impact energy markets

Energy markets are roiling with spikes in both oil and gas prices and a surge of instability related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh speaks to media during a press conference in Tehran on Nov. 15, 2021.

Iran says US should not 'stretch out' nuclear talks

Iranian officials said most of the nuclear agreement is ready and the United States needs to make a political decision.