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

politics and security cover image

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

Demonstrators hold placards during a protest against Russia's military operation in Ukraine in front of the Russian embassy in Istanbul on February 24, 2022. - Russia's President has launched a military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022 after weeks of intense diplomacy and the imposition of Western sanctions on Russia that failed to deter him. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP) (Photo by YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images)

With one eye on Russia, Turkey expresses support for Ukraine

The success of Turkish-made drones in Ukraine is the most obvious sign of Ankara’s backing for Kyiv, but fear of Russian backlash is making Turkey tread lightly.

Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS) Enrique Mora arrives at the Coburg Palace, venue of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) meeting that aims at reviving the Iran nuclear deal, in Vienna on Feb. 8, 2022.

Iran says three obstacles remain to nuclear deal

As negotiators reconvened in Vienna on Monday, a spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry said three sticking points need to be resolved.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hold a joint press conference after their meeting, Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb. 3, 2022.

Erdogan stuck on fence in Ukraine crisis

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has chided NATO for failing to do more for Ukraine but remains averse to antagonizing Russia.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Israel to join UN condemnation of Russian invasion

After avoiding a request to cosponsor Russia condemnation at the UN Security Council, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has now said Israel will vote in favor of a similar US proposal at the UN General Assembly.

Syrian rebel fighters prepare in anticipation of an attack by the Bashar al-Assad regime on Idlib province and the surrounding countryside, in Kafr Zeta, Syria, Aug. 30, 2018.

Syrian jihadi group escalates campaign against foreign fighters in Idlib

While some believe that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is tightening the noose around foreign fighters in Idlib with the ultimate goal to expel them, others consider that it serves the interest of civilians in the city of Idlib.

Syria funeral

Iraqi populist cleric Muqtada al-Sadr calls Russia-Ukraine war 'absolutely useless'

Regional alignments solidify after the invasion of Ukraine, as Iraqi politicians call for peace while four-way collaboration on dealing with the Islamic State and border security continues with Russia, Iran and Syria.

Kharkiv Ukraine

Egyptian students in Ukraine plead to return home

Egyptian students in Ukraine, fearing for their lives after the Russian attack on Ukrainian lands, call on the Egyptian authorities to secure their safe return home.

Ukraine

Ukrainians in Gaza grieve for their country

The Ukrainian community in Gaza is living in constant fear as they follow the latest development of the Russian invasion, unable to help their relatives back home.

Baquer Namazi

Who are the Americans held by Iran?

Here's a look at the four US citizens — Siamak Namazi, Baquer Namazi, Morad Tahbaz and Emad Shargi — whose fates could be decided in Vienna.

Kharkiv

Analysis

Russian invasion of Ukraine scrambles Middle East diplomacy

Update from Moscow; US calls on regional allies for support against Russian attack on Ukraine; some facts on Russia.

Week in Review

By Week in Review

Egypt tourism

Egyptian tourism sector braces for impact from Ukraine crisis

The crisis between Russia and Ukraine has cast a shadow on tourism in Egypt, which relies heavily on beach visitors from the two nations.

Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

Sudan's military leaders well received in Moscow amid growing international isolation

As the world's attention shifts to Russia’s escalation against Ukraine, a delegation of high-level Sudanese officials headed by the deputy leader of the country’s military-led ruling council held talks in Moscow.