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Analysis

Gaza realities test Trump’s 2025 Middle East ambitions

During its first year, the second Trump administration confronted wars in Gaza and Sudan, forged new ties with Syria and grappled with the growing nuclear threat from Iran.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Автор: Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Supporters of Lebanon's Shiite militant group Hezbollah carry the coffins of militants killed in recent Israeli attacks during their funeral in the southern city of Nabatiyeh on November 2, 2025. Hundreds of people gathered in south Lebanon's Nabatiyeh on November 2, 2025 to mourn five Hezbollah members killed in recent Israeli attacks, an AFP correspondent said, as Israel warned of intensifying attacks against the Iran-backed group. On November 1, an Israeli strike killed four people in Kfar Rumman, Nabati

Analysis

In 2025, Hezbollah was weakened in Lebanon, but unlikely to disarm in 2026

Hezbollah has been under increasing internal and external pressure to surrender its heavy weapons, which it has refused to do, raising questions about its steps in the coming year.

Beatrice Farhat

Автор: Beatrice Farhat

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Saudi Air Force advanced F-15SA fighter jets perform during a ceremony in Riyadh on Jan. 25, 2017.

Analysis

2025: Why Gulf defense megadeals finally met reality

From fighter jet debates to drones and megadeals, Gulf defense planners are shifting from political signaling to tangible results.

Francesco Schiavi

Автор: Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

ABIR SULTAN / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Eyeing Turkey, Netanyahu boosts Greece, Cyprus ties ahead of US visit

Worried about the increasing empowerment of Turkey across the Middle East, Israel is making a show of neighborhood strength with Greece and Cyprus.

Автор: Ben Caspit

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

A boy looks on as supporters of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a coalition of separatist groups seeking to restore the state of South Yemen, hold South Yemen flags during a rally calling for the revival of the former independent state, in Aden on December 12, 2025. The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council last week swept through swathes of Yemen in a near-bloodless takeover they say aimed to expel Islamists and halt smuggling for the benefit of the Iran-backed Houthis. (Photo by Saleh Al-OBEID

As UAE-Saudi rivalry heats up, Yemen’s STC accuses Riyadh of airstrikes

Saudi Arabia has criticized the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council’s military offensive, which has sent shockwaves through the country and the Gulf.

Latest News

Israel becomes first country to recognize Somaliland in slight to Turkey

The flag of Somaliland is seen during a campaign rally of the main opposition party Waddani in Hargeisa on November 8, 2024, ahead of the 2024 Somaliland presidential election. The self-declared state of Somaliland is set to host a long-delayed presidential and legislative elections in November 13, 2024. (Photo by LUIS TATO / AFP) (Photo by LUIS TATO/AFP via Getty Images)

Explosion at Alawite mosque in Syria's Homs kills eight

A view shows an interior of a damaged mosque after several people were killed in an explosion at a mosque of the Alawite minority sect, as a Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said, in Homs, Syria December 26, 2025. REUTERS/Ali Ahmed al-Najjar

Feature

Cheap oil, tighter finances, wars constrained Mid East economies in 2025

A picture taken from a station of Dubai's Palm Monorail shows traffic on a road in Palm Jumeirah on Aug. 28, 2025.

Автор: Jack Dutton

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Analysis

In 2025, Netanyahu saved his coalition but stalled on Gaza, Iran, Lebanon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participates in a joint news conference with US President Donald Trump (not seen) in the State Dining Room at the White House on Sept. 29, 2025, in Washington.

Rina Bassist

Автор: Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) praised US President Donald Trump (L)

Netanyahu to meet Trump in US on Monday

Agence France-Presse

A Yemeni fighter brandishes the flag of the formerly independent south, the emblem of a powerful separatist movement whose grievances persist despite the detente under way between regional heavywights Iran and Saudi Arabia

Saudi-led coalition demands Yemen separatists withdraw forces

Agence France-Presse

Members of the forces of Yemen's main separatist group, the Southern Transitional Council, gather in a mountainous area where they are launching a military operation in the southern province of Abyan, Yemen, December 15, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer

Yemen's Saudi-led coalition says it will deal with military moves in Hadramout

Reuters

In Hargeisa, crowds took to the streets to celebrate, many carrying the flag of the breakaway state

Somalia, African nations denounce Israeli recognition of Somaliland

Agence France-Presse

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Adam Lucente and Ezgi Akin

The Al-Monitor Brief

Turkey’s year 2025 in review: Progress abroad, challenges at home?

Adam Lucente interviews Ezgi Akin

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Adam Lucente and Danny Makki

The Al-Monitor Brief

What’s next for Syria's economy, security after Trump repeals Caesar sanctions?

Adam Lucente interviews Danny Makki

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Amberin Joyce

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

The Saudi-UAE clash: The regional stakes and what Trump can do

Amberin Zaman interviews Joyce Karam

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Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Пока Эрдоган дружит с Путиным, Турция и Украина подписывают крупное соглашение о свободной торговле

Barin Kayaoglu

Автор: Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

Amberin Zaman, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Danny Makki, Joyce Karam in a virtual discussion on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to Washington

Syria's Sharaa in Washington

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Joe Snell

Iraqis prepare to head to the polls

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Amberin Zaman in Damascus

Amberin Zaman Reports from Damascus

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Elizabeth Hagedorn at UNGA in New York

Elizabeth Hagedorn Reporting from UNGA in New York

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