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

Analysis

Syria state media's Kurdish-language launch: tactical move or real shift?

SANA's foray into the Kurdish language is largely symbolic and part of Damascus’ efforts to project an image of compromise amid tense negotiations.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Tents housing displaced Palestinians line a street in Gaza City, Aug. 18, 2025.

Analysis

In accepting Gaza truce proposal, is Hamas setting 'trap' for boxed-in Netanyahu?

Is Hamas really hoping that Israel rejects a deal and goes ahead with the Gaza City offensive, resulting in its further international isolation?

By Ben Caspit

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

Mohammad Javad Zarif, the former Iranian foreign minister, speaks to supporters during an election rally in support of Iranian presidential election candidate Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran, Iran, on June 24, 2024.

Iran's political split deepens: Reformists urge uranium freeze, hard-liners resist

The recent war with Israel has exposed fault lines across Iran's political spectrum, galvanizing moderate factions to call for domestic and regional policy reforms.

Iran

Turkey, Japan defense chiefs meet as China concerns push Tokyo toward drones

The Japanese defense chief’s visit focuses on defense industry cooperation, including a potential drone deal amid Tokyo's growing concerns over China’s naval activity.

Turkey

Lenovo’s $2B Saudi expansion suggests China to hold ground despite US push

Lenovo and Huawei both continue to expand in Saudi Arabia months after US President Donald Trump's landmark Gulf tour delivered tech deals for US giants.

Saudi Arabia

Latest News

Iran plans 20 satellites, test launch by end of 2025: What to know

Iran

UAE’s Masdar secures $1.1B for 2 GW Saudi solar megaproject: What to know

The tallest solar power tower in the world at 260 metres is pictured at the concentrated solar thermal power (CST) Noor Energy 1 solar complex at Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum Solar Park, about 50 kilometres south of Dubai, on July 19, 2025. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP) (Photo by FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images)

United Arab Emirates

Lebanon PM in Jordan as Beirut pushes Hezbollah disarmament, Iran’s influence wanes

Jordanian King Abdullah II receives Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Amman on Aug. 19, 2025.

Lebanon

Egypt, Japan sign 12 investment deals as Cairo floats industrial zone plan

Egypt

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.

Pope Leo calls for day of fasting, prayers for peace in Ukraine on Friday

Reuters

Iran cannot completely cut ties with the IAEA, foreign minister says

Reuters

Member of Kneecap Liam O'Hanna, also known as Liam Og O hAnnaidh and performing under the name of Mo Chara, who has been charged with a terrorism offence in relation to the alleged display of a Hezbollah flag onstage in 2024, arrives at the Westminster Magistrates' Court, in London, Britain, August 20, 2025. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

Member of Irish rap group Kneecap appears at UK court on terrorism charge

Reuters

FILE PHOTO: An Israeli flag flies, near the Israel-Gaza border, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Israel, March 4, 2024. REUTERS/Ammar Awad/File Photo

Israel will call up around 50,000 reservists for new Gaza city offensive, military official says

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

Turkey-Syria defense deal: trouble for Israel, Kurds?

Adam Lucente interviews Ezgi Akin

11:50

Adam Lucente, Ben Caspit and Rina Bassist

The Al-Monitor Brief

Will Israel’s plan to seize Gaza City from Hamas succeed?

Adam Lucente interviews Ben Caspit and Rina Bassist

12:56

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Turkey and the UAE's fight for regional influence: Who's winning?

Amberin Zaman interviews Jalel Harchaoui

33:40

ALM Interviews

Exclusive conversations with Al-Monitor.

See All

Interview

Palestinian UN envoy: Saudi-France summit was 'historic' milestone, builds on France recognition

Riyad Mansour

Palestinian Ambassador to the UN

Interview

Growing Chinese competition in Mideast car market 'key challenge,' Ford says

Men inspect an electric car at a showroom in Riyadh on June 8, 2024.

Ravi Ravichandran

President of Ford Middle East and North Africa

Interview

How Red Sea attacks prepared Egypt’s economy for future shocks

Hisham Ezz Al-Arab

CEO, Commercial International Bank

Interview

Israel’s former Germany envoy: Arms embargo 'warning sign' of growing isolation

Jeremy Issacharoff

Former Israeli ambassador to Germany

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

In accepting Gaza truce proposal, is Hamas setting 'trap' for boxed-in Netanyahu?

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

What UAE interest in South Korea’s KF-21 jets signals for Gulf defense strategy

Participants look at a miniature of KF-21 fighter jet (front) on display at the Responsible AI in the Military Domain (REAIM) summit in Seoul on Sept. 10, 2024.

By Francesco Schiavi

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

Analysis

US-brokered Armenia-Azerbaijan deal hands Turkey South Caucasus opening

US President Donald Trump (C) joins hands with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev (L) and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (R) during a signing ceremony in the State Dining Room of the White House, Washington, DC, Aug. 8, 20

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Syria state media's Kurdish-language launch: tactical move or real shift?

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

image of Suwayda, Syria with smoke billowing up from an explosion

Suwayda reels from clashes as truce reached

Play Video

0:52

Al-Monitor chief correspondent Amberin Zaman interviews H.E. Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

The Future of Energy and Power in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Play Video

1:38:51

Al-Monitor's State Department Correspondent Elizabeth Hagedorn stands on a balcony in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia reporting on President Trump's trip to the Gulf.

President Trump's Visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE

Play Video

1:04

Plestia Alaqad on Gaza and South Lebanon

Play Video

5:00

ALM Events

Convening global leaders in business, policy and media.

See All

Past Live Journalism

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

Past Live Journalism

AI, innovation & global growth: Dr. Marwan Al-Zarouni & Dr. Alaa Murabit speak at event in Washington

Al-Monitor Global Institute hosted Dr. Marwan Al-Zarouni, chief AI officer at Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism and CEO of the Dubai Blockchain Center, alongside Dr. Alaa Murabit, senior advisor at 500 Global, for a high-level conversation on how AI is accelerating innovation and transforming global economic development.

Washington, DC

April 23, 2025 16:00 EDT

Past Live Journalism

UAE presidential advisor HE Dr. Anwar Gargash speaks at AL-Monitor event during UNGA

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York City, AL-Monitor hosted HE Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the UAE, for an off-the-record dinner and discussion at Le Jardinier of the Bastion Collection. The event was attended by thought and business leaders as well as former officials.

New York City, NY

September 26, 2024 18:00 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