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Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman walks to welcome France's president (not pictured) ahead of their meeting in Riyadh, on Dec. 2, 2024.

Analysis

In Syria outreach, Saudi Arabia eyes regional realignment against Iran

By taking the lead in hosting Syria's new foreign minister, Riyadh is eying strategic opportunity to fill the US void, counter Iran’s waning influence and stabilize ties with Damascus through aid, partnerships and engagement with Islamist factions.

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

This picture shows a view of the newsroom at the main headquarters of Qatari news broadcaster Al Jazeera in the capital Doha on May 6, 2024. Al Jazeera went off-air in Israel on May 5, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government decided to shut it down following a long-running feud, a move the Qatar-based channel decried as "criminal". (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP) (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

What's behind Palestinian Authority closure of Al Jazeera TV, websites

The Palestinian Authority ordered Al Jazeera's offices in the occupied West Bank to temporarily shut down last Wednesday.

By An Al-Monitor correspondent

Forces loyal to the new Syrian government gather in the town of Busra in Syria's southern Daraa province, on Jan. 5, 2025.

Wave of instability hits Syria’s Daraa in challenge to al-Shara'a: What we know

Syrian security forces deployed to the south recently following clashes involving a commander who reportedly served ousted President Bashar al-Assad.

By Adam Lucente

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

The US Treasury Department building is seen in Washington, on Jan. 19, 2023.

US unveils Syria sanctions exemption to bolster aid relief

The Biden administration stopped short of lifting the sweeping sanctions meant to punish the Assad regime.

Syria

After meeting Italy’s Meloni, Trump agrees to halt extradition of Iranian detainee: What we know

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and US President-elect Donald Trump have reportedly agreed to delay a US extradition request for an Iranian citizen to allow Italy to negotiate the return of its journalist Cecilia Sala, currently detained in Iran.

Iran

Latest News

France’s Sarkozy stands trial on alleged Libya funding: What we know

French former president Nicolas Sarkozy (C) and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy arrive to vote for the first round of parliamentary elections in Paris, on June 30, 2024. A divided France is voting in high-stakes parliamentary elections that could see the anti-immigrant and eurosceptic party of Marine Le Pen sweep to power in a historic first. The candidates formally ended their frantic campaigns at midnight June 28, with political activity banned until the first round of voting. (Photo by ARNAUD FINISTRE / AFP

Libya

US strike on Iranian military leader sparks escalation fears

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Commander Qassem Soleimani uses a walkie-talkie at the frontline during offensive operations against Islamic State militants in the town of Tal Ksaiba in Salahuddin province March 8, 2015. Picture taken March 8, 2015. REUTERS/Stringer (IRAQ - Tags: CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT POLITICS) - GM1EB3I1GO301

Iraq

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US envoy Hochstein in Lebanon as Israel ceasefire teeters, election looms

Lebanon

Analysis

Iran's Quds Force struggling for relevance 5 years after Soleimani's death

A man walks past a mural depicting slain commander of the IRGC's Quds Force Qasem Soleimani in Caracas on April 26, 2024. (Photo by Juan BARRETO / AFP) (Photo by JUAN BARRETO/AFP via Getty Images)

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

King Abdullah Sports City stadium in the port city of Jeddah is one of two existing stadiums that are part of Saudi Arabia's World Cup planning

Taste of 2034 World Cup as Saudi Asian Cup stadiums named

Agence France-Presse

Travellers are welcomed at Damascus's airport, which resumed international flights on Tuesday

International flights resume at Damascus airport

Agence France-Presse

Mohamed Mreiwel, the mayor of the village of Jabata al-Khashab, says he met with Israeli officials several times

Syrian mayor says Israel collected arms from locals in Golan buffer zone

Agence France-Presse

US special envoy Amos Hochstein said he expects 'all parties' will remain committed to the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire

US envoy says Israeli forces begin pullout from 2nd south Lebanon town

Agence France-Presse

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Middle East economic outlook in 2025

Adam Lucente interviews Sam Wendel

6:10

The Al-Monitor Brief

Middle East 2024 Year in Review

Adam Lucente interviews Joyce Karam

12:06

The Al-Monitor Brief

What's behind Europe's overtures towards Syria after the fall of Assad?

Adam Lucente interviews Rina Bassist

9:27

ALM Interviews

Exclusive conversations with Al-Monitor.

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Interview

Syria’s hidden stash of chemical weapons hangs over post-Assad transition

A Syrian man prays on July 12, 2017, at a cemetary in Khan Sheikhun

Gregory Koblentz

Director of Biodefense Graduate Program, George Mason University

Interview

US-allied Syrian Kurdish woman commander: ISIS poised to carry 'fight to new level'

Rojhelat Afrin

Women’s Protection Units Commander in Chief

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

Interview

Coworking offers lifeline to Gaza's tech entrepreneurs as war disrupts jobs

Rateb Rabi

Founder of Intersect Innovation Hub

ALM Memos

Executive briefs that lay out scenarios on key issues.

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This picture taken on December 18, 2018 shows a view of electricity transmission towers in the Saudi capital Riyadh. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia's electricity sector to see significant transformation by 2030

Gerald Kepes

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy trends

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

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

What's behind Palestinian Authority closure of Al Jazeera TV, websites

By An Al-Monitor correspondent

Analysis

Would Russia leverage Iran in talks to end Ukraine war?

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan on Oct. 23, 2024.

By Andrew Parasiliti

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security

Analysis

Iran's Quds Force struggling for relevance 5 years after Soleimani's death

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

In Syria outreach, Saudi Arabia eyes regional realignment against Iran

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

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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