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Aleppo clashes between Kurdish forces, Syrian government test US diplomacy

A violent escalation between the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in Aleppo is worsening amid stalled US-brokered negotiations and growing regional pressures on the Kurds.

Syria

HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates, in Riyadh, on Sept. 3, 2025.

Analysis

From Red Sea to Horn of Africa: How Yemen exposed the Saudi-UAE divide

Saudi Arabia’s confrontation with the UAE in Yemen has laid bare a deeper struggle for influence over the Red Sea and surrounding regions.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Fighters loyal to Yemen's Southern Transitional Council separatists stand in the back of a pickup struck, bearing the portrait of STC Chief Aidarus al-Zubaidi

Yemen separatists accuse Saudi Arabia of 'betrayal' as pro-Riyadh forces advance

Southern Transitional Council head Aidarus al-Zubaidi did not board a scheduled flight to Saudi Arabia for talks as Riyadh intensified its airstrikes against the group.

Yemen

Mobina / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

IRGC warns Israel it has 'hands on the trigger' as Iran protests enter 11th day

Iranian officials have repeatedly accused the US and Israel of instigating the mass protests in Iran.

Iran

Analysis

Buoyed by Trump and protests, Israel sees opportunity against Iran regime

Israel’s leadership is warning Tehran not to launch an attack as a means of diverting Iranians’ attention from the ongoing anti-government demonstrations.

By Ben Caspit

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

Latest News

Erdogan denies Turkey informed of US exile offer for Maduro prior to capture

Turkey

After Venezuela attack, Iran protests test Trump’s pledge of US 'rescue'

A large anti-Israeli banner portraying an image of a Palestinian fighter and the slogan in Persian and Hebrew, "Endless Voice of Resistance" is erected in Palestine Square in Tehran on Dec. 31, 2025.

Iran

Hospital raids, mounting deaths: Iran's unrest enters volatile phase

Iran

Lebanon pursues remnants of Syrian regime in country: What we know

Lebanon

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Iran warns suppliers against overpricing or hoarding goods

Reuters

A group of civilians carry bags and belongings as they flee following renewed clashes between the Syrian army and the Syrian Democratic Forces, in Aleppo, Syria, January 7, 2026. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri

Turkey says it stands ready to help Syria after deadly clashes in Aleppo

Reuters

Authorities used tear gas to disperse the protest

New clashes in Iran as opposition urges more protests

Agence France-Presse

Lebanese army members drive military vehicles during a Lebanese army media tour, to review the army's operations in the southern Litani sector, in Naqoura, near the border with Israel, southern Lebanon, November 28, 2025. REUTERS/Aziz Taher

Lebanese army says it has achieved goal of state monopoly on arms in the south in 'effective and tangible way'

Reuters

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South Yemen leader skips Riyadh talks as government advances: Implications for Saudi-UAE rift

Adam Lucente interviews Francesco Schiavi

24:06

Adam Lucente, Beatrice Farhat, Jack Dutton and Jared Szuba

The Al-Monitor Brief

What’s at stake for the Middle East after Trump removes Venezuela’s Maduro?

Adam Lucente interviews Beatrice Farhat, Jarez Szuba and Jack Dutton

15:32

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Why US pressure may finally force Israel into striking Syria security deal

Amberin Zaman interviews Elizabeth Tsurkov

38:22

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Interview

Robots can solve UAE construction labor shortage, says Buildroid AI

Interview

Cyprus weighs joining Gaza force but 'not enough clarity' on mission, FM says

Constantinos Kombos

Cypriot Foreign Minister

Interview

UNRWA plans Turkey office to boost Gaza, Syria aid as pledges dip

A boy sits outside the entrance to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) building complex in Gaza City, on Sept. 6, 2025.

Tamara Alrifai

Interview

Youth, strong AI adoption make MENA leading region for smartphones: OPPO

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Buoyed by Trump and protests, Israel sees opportunity against Iran regime

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

With central role for Qatar, can Gulf states mediate between US and Venezuela?

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (R) gestures next to Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (L) during a meeting at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas on November 25, 2015. AFP PHOTO/JUAN BARRETO / AFP / JUAN BARRETO (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP via Getty Images)

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Analysis

Venezuelan crisis unlikely to impact MENA crude exporters in short term

The Iranian-flagged oil tanker Fortune is docked at the El Palito refinery after its arrival to Puerto Cabello in the northern state of Carabobo, Venezuela, on May 25, 2020.

By Jack Dutton

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

Analysis

From Red Sea to Horn of Africa: How Yemen exposed the Saudi-UAE divide

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

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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1:00:44

Iraqis prepare to head to the polls

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1:34

Amberin Zaman Reports from Damascus

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Elizabeth Hagedorn Reporting from UNGA in New York

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Past Live Journalism

AL-Monitor Global Institute hosts food security forum with Dr. Conrad Rein

On October 16, 2025, the AL-Monitor Global Institute hosted Dr. Conrad Rein, Secretary of the Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security, alongside representatives from multilateral development banks and the private sector for a discussion on food security in the Middle East and Africa.

Washington, DC

October 16, 2025 11:00 EDT

Past Live Journalism

AL-Monitor Global Institute hosts Digital Cooperation Organization Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya

On Sept. 21, 2025, the AL-Monitor Global Institute hosted Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization, for a discussion on digital inclusion and economic empowerment in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

New York, NY

September 21, 2025 17:00 EDT

Past Live Journalism

Iraqi Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani at AL-Monitor Global Institute

AL-Monitor Global Institute hosts Iraqi Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and US Energy Secretary Chris Wright

On May 22, 2025, the AL-Monitor Global Institute hosted Prime Minister Masrour Barzani of the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq and US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright in Washington DC to discuss the future of power and energy in Iraq’s Kurdistan region.

Washington, DC

May 22, 2025 10:30 EDT

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