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Anti-regime fighters drive along the Aleppo- Damascus M5 international highway in the newly captured northwestern area of Khan al-Assal, as smoke rises in the distance on Nov. 29, 2024.

Analysis

Embattled in Gaza and Lebanon, can Iran defend Assad in Syria amid Aleppo offensive?

Iran is at a critical juncture amid the Sunni insurgent offensive in Syria, as it navigates the realities about its weakened ally Hezbollah and the complexities of its own presence in a geopolitical power play that involves multiple actors competing for different agendas.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Anti-government fighters gather in front of a hotel in central Aleppo, Syria's second city which a war monitor said jihadist rebels now control most of

Syria war monitor says rebels control most of Aleppo city

Agence France-Presse

Afghan workers carry flour sacks off a freight train upon its arrival from Uzbekistan, at the border station in Hairatan, Balkh Province, March 5, 2024.

Analysis

Iran looks to invest $6B in Afghanistan as route to China: What to know

Engaging the Taliban has become a must in Tehran's efforts not only to improve transportation in and boost trade with Afghanistan in the face of economic sanctions, but also to achieve its goal of having a reliable, overland trade route to China.

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

This picture taken on Aug. 25, 2022 shows the France flag and Algeria flag ahead of the arrival of French President in Algiers for an official visit.

Analysis

What lessons can France draw from Algeria-Spain trade reset?

Algeria’s central bank has ordered the unfreezing of trade with Spain after nearly two and half years of economic retaliation in return for Madrid endorsing Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara.

By Jack Dutton

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

Israeli tanks aligned in northern Israel, near the border with Lebanon, Nov. 28, 2024.

Analysis

As Lebanon ceasefire holds, Israel sees opportunity to apply Syria model against Hezbollah

Israeli security chiefs warn that Hezbollah is likely to violate the US-mediated ceasefire deal.

By Ben Caspit

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

Latest News

Over 200 killed, more than 7,000 displaced in clashes in Syria’s Aleppo

Syria

Lebanon to hold January presidential elections amid fragile ceasefire

Lebanon

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Heineken to draft in Gulf’s first large-scale brewery in Dubai

United Arab Emirates

Israeli military chief Halevi hints he’ll resign after Oct. 7 probe

Israel

A mourner carries a candle and a portrait of slain Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah during a vigil at the site where he was killed

Hundreds gather at site of air strike to remember Hezbollah chief

Agence France-Presse

Israel hits Hezbollah targets in Lebanon days into fragile truce

Agence France-Presse

Anti-government fighters in central Aleppo prepare to topple the equestrian statue of Bassel-al-Assad, the late brother of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

What do we know about Syrian rebels' major offensive on Aleppo?

Agence France-Presse

An image grab taken from Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV shows Hezbollah chief Naim Qasem delivering a televised speech from an undisclosed location

Hezbollah says to help army build Lebanon's defensive capacities

Agence France-Presse

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On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

What will Middle East policy look like under the new Trump administration?

Amberin Zaman interviews Jim Jeffrey

The Al-Monitor Brief

Why Turkey’s proposed ‘foreign agent’ law is worrying civil society

Kristen Talman interviews Ezgi Akin

The Al-Monitor Brief

Trump heads back to Washington amid shifted Gulf dynamics

Kristen Talman interviews Jennifer Gnana

13:51

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Interview

Lebanon’s ex-spymaster says Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire close

Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim

Former Lebanese intelligence chief

Interview

EU escorted over 200 ships in Red Sea amid Gulf maritime threats, envoy says

NUSA DUA, INDONESIA - JULY 08: The Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi (R) greets the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luigi Di Maio (L) during arrival of the G20 Foreign Ministers and Head of Department at the Grand Ballroom Mulia Hotel on July 08, 2022 in Nusa Dua, Indonesia. (Photo by Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images)

Luigi di Maio

EU Special Representative for the Gulf

Interview

Senior Palestinian official Jibril Rajoub calls for 'Marshall-like plan' to rebuild Gaza

Jibril Rajoub

Fatah Central Committee Secretary-General

Interview

Syrian Kurd FM Ilham Ahmed says PKK leader Ocalan's words of 'vital importance'

Ilham Ahmed

Co-President of the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria

ALM Memos

Executive briefs that lay out scenarios on key issues.

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 30: A container ship departs the Port of Newark for the Atlantic Ocean on September 30, 2024 seen from New York City. A massive strike that could shut down ports across the East and Gulf coasts could begin at midnight as members of the International Longshoremen’s Association continue to make salary and other demands to the United States Maritime Alliance, which controls many of the ports across the country. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Red Sea, Iran energy threats amplify 2025 global economic risks as trade wars, Trump loom

Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Cars drive along a street in front of high-rise buildings in Dubai, on February 18, 2023. - Home to towering skyscrapers and ultra-luxury villas, Dubai saw record real estate transactions in 2022, largely due to an influx of wealthy investors, especially from Russia. (Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP) (Photo by KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)

UAE aims to attract family offices to boost stature as wealth hub

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Solar pannels cover the rooftops of the buildings of the Makhtar boarding school on September 29, 2022, in the Tunisian central-west region of the same name. - The Makthar boarding school, a unique business initiative is both generating income and opening pupils' minds to the outside world. Lotfi Hamadi, founder of the NGO "Wallah (Swear to God) We Can", is hoping that helping schools boost their resources through food and energy production can breathe new life into Tunisia's failing, cash-strapped educatio

Tunisia’s green hydrogen strategy will need domestic stakeholders

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Iran looks to invest $6B in Afghanistan as route to China: What to know

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Analysis

Embattled in Gaza and Lebanon, can Iran defend Assad in Syria amid Aleppo offensive?

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

As Lebanon ceasefire holds, Israel sees opportunity to apply Syria model against Hezbollah

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

What lessons can France draw from Algeria-Spain trade reset?

By Jack Dutton

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

ALM Events

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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

Past Live Journalism

Iraq PM Sudani speaks at Al-Monitor/US Chamber of Commerce event during UNGA

At an event hosted by Al-Monitor and the US Chamber of Commerce, the prime minister discussed Iraq’s plan to achieve energy independence by 2030 and his desire to drawdown the US military presence in the country.

New York City, NY

September 25, 2024 18:00 EDT

Past Live Journalism

Salon conversation with Turkey's Ambassador to the US Sedat Önal

Al-Monitor hosted the ambassador of Turkey to the United States, Sedat Önal, for an off-the-record discussion on a wide range of topics such as Turkey-US relations, the Gaza war and Turkey's military intervention in Syria. The event was attended by guests from media, private business, and government.

Washington, DC

September 12, 2024 16:00 EDT

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