AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (R) makes a speech as he attends the National Army Day ceremony on April 18, 2025 in Tehran, Iran. The country held its annual 'Army Day' parade in Tehran, which included an address by current President Masoud Pezeshkian. (Photo by Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)

Analysis

Iran's rebuke of Russia, China exposes cracks in its 'look to East' strategy

Pezeshkian comments revived a long-running debate over the fragility of Iran's geopolitical alignments and the asymmetry built into its relations with Moscow and Beijing.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

People drive past election billboards in Baghdad, Oct. 14, 2025.

Analysis

Iraq’s economic future in limbo as paralysis looms post-election

Negotiations over coalition-building could take months, leaving Baghdad in a holding pattern at a moment when reforms and fiscal adjustments are greatly needed.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Culture

Turkey’s graphic-novel culture blossoms in face of censorship

A fragile but growing ecosystem of artists, editors and cross-border collaborations is reshaping Turkey’s graphic-novel landscape under tight political and economic constraints.

Turkey

People walk past electoral campaign posters ahead of Iraq's parliamentary elections in central Baghdad on Nov. 6, 2025.

Analysis

Iraq’s next PM? Shatri, Eidani, Kadhimi and others jostle for lead

A number of establishment figures are being circulated as potential candidates, though experts believe the Coordination Framework, a powerful Shiite coalition, will again have the final say.

By Adam Lucente

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

A villager stands at a high point to survey the damage to the hill sides by quarrying in Ikizdere in the Rize Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey on June 7, 2021. A government-friendly company plans to extract 20 million tons of stone from a quarry in the northeastern town of Ikizdere for one of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's latest development projects. The locals are rising up in protest, challenging the government and its priorities in a region dear to the domineering Turkish leader's heart. (Ph

Culture

Can AI save Turkey’s endangered Laz language?

With few young speakers and little official support, activists are turning to artificial intelligence to help preserve one of Turkey’s endangered languages: Laz.

Turkey

Latest News

Analysis

With Saudi normalization off table, MBS visit to Trump 'a defeat for Israel'

By Ben Caspit

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

Interview

Can protests in Israel halt Netanyahu's second attempt at judicial overhaul?

Shikma Bressler, an Israeli physicist and one of the leaders of the protest against the government's judicial overhaul.

Culture

A confident farewell: Abu Dhabi Art’s last edition hits new peak before Frieze

Traditional Emirati dancers and musicians for the opening night of Abu Dhabi Art.

Analysis

How Iraq’s next government could shape the US-Iran rivalry

Supporters of incumbent Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani wave national flags in front of a screen displaying his portrait as they celebrate following the announcement of preliminary election results in Baghdad on Nov. 12, 2025.

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

Subscribe to the Daily Briefing for only $1.67 per month.

The most authoritative roundup for Middle East news everyday in your inbox.

What you get

Daily email with comprehensive regional news coverage
Start with a two-week free trial
Summary of all key insights from our in-country journalists.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz walk on the day they held a press conference at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany August 26, 2025. REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

Canada PM and German Chancellor Merz discuss Ukraine, Gaza on G20 sidelines

Reuters

Firefighters work at the site of a crash involving an Indian-made HAL Tejas fighter jet at the Dubai Air Show, United Arab Emirates, November 21, 2025, in this handout picture obtained from social media. Government of Dubai Media Office/Handout via REUTERS

Analysis-Tejas crash dampens export hopes for Indian fighter jet

Reuters

Tunisians march in the capital to protest against Tunisia's President Kais Saied accusing him of entrenching one-man rule through the use of the judiciary and police, in Tunis, Tunisia November 22, 2025. REUTERS/Jihed Abidellaou

Tunisians escalate protests against Saied, demanding return of democracy

Reuters

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attends a plenary session on the opening day of the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, November 22, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/Pool

Australia PM says formal deal reached for Turkey to host COP31 climate summit

Reuters

Featured Newsletters

Editor's choice

Three stories hand-picked by our editorial team.

Stay informed with our daily and weekly newsletters

Read By

See all newsletters

The Al-Monitor Brief

SDF head Kobane addresses Dahuk conference: significance for Kurdish unity, Syria integration, Turkey

Adam Lucente interviews Amberin Zaman

10:53

The Al-Monitor Brief

Trump pledges to sell F-35s to Saudi Arabia: implications for Middle East power balance

Adam Lucente interviews Jared Szuba

15:25

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Yazidis shunned Iraq’s corrupt practices and scored a historic win in parliamentary elections

Amberin Zaman interviews Murad Ismael

25:16

ALM Interviews

Exclusive conversations with Al-Monitor.

See All

Interview

Saudi foreign ownership property law won't overheat market, says Dar Global CEO

Ziad El Chaar

CEO of Dar Global

Interview

International Red Cross chief says Gaza conflict goes beyond anything he has ever seen

Members of the Red Cross stand amid the rubble of destroyed buildings as heavy machinery operates in the al-Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City on Oct. 27, 2025.

Pierre Krahenbuhl

Director-General of the International Committee

Interview

Trump's back channel to Hamas says militants could cede heavy weapons in disarmament deal

Hamas fighters gather at the site of the handing over of two Israeli hostages in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Feb. 22, 2025.

Bishara Bahbah

Founder, Arab Americans for Peace

Interview

Can protests in Israel halt Netanyahu's second attempt at judicial overhaul?

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Iran's rebuke of Russia, China exposes cracks in its 'look to East' strategy

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

Iraq’s next PM? Shatri, Eidani, Kadhimi and others jostle for lead

By Adam Lucente

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

Analysis

With Saudi normalization off table, MBS visit to Trump 'a defeat for Israel'

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

Iraq’s economic future in limbo as paralysis looms post-election

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

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

Play Video

1:00:44

Iraqis prepare to head to the polls

Play Video

1:34

Amberin Zaman Reports from Damascus

Play Video

0:30

Elizabeth Hagedorn Reporting from UNGA in New York

Play Video

1:07

ALM Events

Convening global leaders in business, policy and media.

See All

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

Our Journalists

See All

Latest News

Subscribe to the Daily Briefing for only $1.67 per month.

What you get

Featured Newsletters

Select your cities and get the latest in the arts, music and entertainment.

Editor's choice

Stay informed with our daily and weekly newsletters

Read By

Podcasts

ALM Interviews

The City Pulse Newsletters

Analysis

Watch

ALM Events

Our Journalists