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US forces patrol oil fields near Syria's northeastern border with Turkey in the Qahtaniyah countryside in the far northeast corner of Hasakeh province on Sept. 3, 2024.

US weighs plans to slash troop presence in Syria by more than half

Fewer than 1,000 US troops would remain in the country in order to retain limited oversight of ISIS prisons controlled by Kurdish-led forces across the country’s northeast, according to officials briefed on the latest plans.

Syria

A man and woman walk past a mural depicting an Iranian official in civilian clothing sitting across the table from an American official wearing military fatigues painted on the outer walls of the former US embassy in Tehran, colloquially referred to as the "Spy Den," on April 8, 2025.

Analysis

Iran claims upper hand in nuclear talks even as Trump floats military option

The Iranian leader's comment came as the US president accused Tehran of dragging out the negotiation process and renewed threats of military action.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

This combination of file photos created on April 9, 2025, shows US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff speaking to reporters.

Witkoff’s enrichment U-turn sows confusion over Trump’s Iran strategy

The Trump administration has offered mixed messages on whether it would tolerate some level of uranium enrichment by Iran.

United States

A picture taken during a tour organized by the Jordanian Army shows a drone flying over an observation post along the border with Syria, on Feb. 17, 2022.

Breaking | Last Updated: April 15, 2025, 2:35 pm

Jordan foils 'sabotage' plot involving rockets and drones, 16 arrested

Jordan said the members of the group received training in Lebanon, as Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam expressed solidarity with the kingdom.

Jordan

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: U.S. President Donald Trump bids farewell to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he leaves the White House after a meeting on April 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump was meeting with Netanyahu to discuss ongoing efforts to release Israeli hostages from Gaza and newly imposed U.S. tariffs. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Analysis

As Witkoff hints US won't dismantle Iran nuclear program, Israel fears Trump may settle for 'bad deal'

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu cannot go openly against the nuclear talks with Iran initiated by US President Trump, but he can hope for Tehran to anger him enough to break the negotiations.

By Ben Caspit

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

Latest News

Over 200 arrested in Turkey, Europe in international drug bust: What to know

Turkey

Breaking

Last Updated: April 15, 2025, 2:33 pm

France expels 12 Algerian diplomats in tit-for-tat escalation

Algeria

Lebanon’s Aoun visits Doha as Qatar, France send military support

Lebanon

Turkey's budget deficit narrows to $6.8B in March as lira fluctuates

A picture taken on Dec. 7, 2021, in Istanbul shows Turkish liras.

Turkey

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An Iranian woman walks past a mural on the walls of the former US embassy building in Tehran, dubbed the "Den of Spies" since the Islamic Revolution of 1979.

Iran FM says uranium enrichment 'non-negotiable' after Trump envoy urged halt

Agence France-Presse

In this file photo, Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital who has since been detained, supervises the treatment of a Palestinian man injured in an Israeli strike

Gaza hospital chief held in 'inhumane' conditions by Israel: lawyer

Agence France-Presse

A picture from Israel's Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters shows Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander

Hamas raises fears for hostage at centre of latest Gaza truce offer

Agence France-Presse

Algeria has blamed France's Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau for the escalation in diplomatic hostilities between the two countries

France expels 12 Algerian officials amid diplomatic escalation

Agence France-Presse

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The Al-Monitor Brief

Middle East stock markets, Gulf oil rebound after Trump tariff decision, but will it last?

Adam Lucente interviews Sam Wendel

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What's behind new US-Iran nuclear talks in Oman?

Adam Lucente interviews Elizabeth Hagedorn

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What do the mass protests mean for future of Turkey & Erdogan?

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ALM Interviews

Exclusive conversations with Al-Monitor.

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Interview

Syria's Kurds to demand federalism in tactical push for decentralization

Mohammed Ismail

President of the Kurdistan National Council

Interview

Israel's renewed Gaza strikes put last living US hostage at risk, family warns

Adi Alexander (C), father of Edan Alexander, attends a US House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia roundtable with family members of individuals being held hostage by Hamas, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on Nov. 29, 2023.

Interview

In break with Netanyahu, Olmert urges Israel to recognize Syria’s Sharaa, open dialogue

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert speaks during a briefing on US President Donald Trump's Mideast peace plan on February 11, 2020 in New York. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas told the UN Security Council that the world should reject President Donald Trump's Middle East plan, which he said would limit Palestinian sovereignty in a "Swiss cheese" deal. "We reject the Israeli-American plan," which "throws into question the legitimate rights of the Palestinians," Abbas said, brandishing a large map of

Interview

Ayalon: Netanyahu firing Shin Bet chief to shield inner circle from Qatar probe

Ami Ayalon, a candidate for the Israeli Labor Party leadership, arrives to vote in the second and decisive round of party primaries on June 12, 2007, in Geva Carmel, northern Israel.

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

As Witkoff hints US won't dismantle Iran nuclear program, Israel fears Trump may settle for 'bad deal'

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

Saudi Arabia-PwC split signals shift to local consultancies: What to know

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: People walk by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) New York headquarters after the company announced a major restructuring on September 12, 2024 in New York City. PwC LLP will let go of up to 1,800 US employees next month as the accounting firm shifts to in-house technology developers and streamlines its advisory practice. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

By Amal Altwaijri

In Washington, DC, reporting on Saudi Arabia

Analysis

With F-35, Eurofighter jets on table, Turkey cools off on F-16 deal

The Soloturk aerobatic demonstration team of the Turkish Air Force flies an F-16 aircraft over Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Turkish Republic's Founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, during celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey in Ankara, on October 29, 2023. Turkey marked its centenary as a post-Ottoman republic on October 29, 2023, with somewhat muted celebrations held in the shadow of Israel's escalating war with Hamas militants in Gaza. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALT

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Iran claims upper hand in nuclear talks even as Trump floats military option

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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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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