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In this photograph taken on Oct. 2, 2018, Gen. Mohammad Ali al-Haddad is pictured in the Libyan capital Tripoli. (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Breaking

Last Updated: December 23, 2025, 5:19 pm

Jet carrying Libyan army chief crashes after departing Ankara

The jet lost contact after departing Ankara, with Turkish authorities launching search and rescue efforts.

Turkey

Analysis

Can Netanyahu convince Trump to OK strike on Iran’s missile program?

At their anticipated Florida meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will present US President Donald Trump with options for stopping Iran from rebuilding its program.

By Ben Caspit

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

Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran Iranian 100 rial banknotes.

Analysis

Iran currency plunges to historic low amid factional blame game

As Iran's judiciary publicly rebukes the central bank over the rial's collapse, the currency crisis is no longer economic and is fast becoming a test of political accountability and regime stability.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

A convoy carrying a UN security council delegation, tours the border with Israel close to the southern Lebanese area of Naqura on December 6, 2025. UNIFIL peacekeepers have been tasked with acting as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon since March 1978, and with monitoring the November 2024 ceasefire that sought to halt more than a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. (Photo by Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP via Getty Images)

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Second Lebanon-Israel meeting sidelined France, saw US pressure on Netanyahu

Differences over the so-called economic zone and the high civilian toll from Israeli strikes capped the second meeting between Lebanese and Israeli officials on Friday.

By Joyce Karam , Rina Bassist

Yemeni ministries declare support for STC campaign as Gulf tensions flare

Yemen's Saudi-backed government criticized the statements in support of the Southern Transitional Council, which is supported by the UAE, as Gulf states deliberate on how to move forward.

Saudi Arabia

Latest News

Europe’s top court moves to fast-track Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala's case: What to know

Turkey

Analysis

What Turkey wants from Iraq to renew pipeline deal

A worker turns a valve at the Shirawa oil field, where oil was first pumped in Iraq in 1927, outside the northern city of Kirkuk, Jan. 19, 2004.

By David O'Byrne

Turkey denies internal rifts as top officials in Syria ahead of SDF deadline

Turkish Foreign Ministery Press Service / AFP via Getty Images

Turkey

Italy pledges to maintain troops in southern Lebanon after UNIFIL withdrawal

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto (Middle-L) meets with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (R) in Beirut at Baabda Palace, on Dec. 22, 2025.

Lebanon

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People mourn near floral tributes placed for victims and survivors of a deadly mass shooting during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on December 14, in Sydney, Australia, December 21, 2025. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

Australian state passes tougher gun, anti-terror laws after Bondi Beach shooting

Reuters

Turkish Chief of Staff Selcuk Bayraktaroglu meets with his Libyan counterpart Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad in Ankara, Turkey, December 23, 2025. Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS

Libya says its army chief dies in plane crash in Turkey

Reuters

The Turkish defence ministry took this photo of Lybia's Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Haddad in his meeting in Ankara, just hours before his fatal plane crash

Libya's top military chief killed in plane crash in Turkey

Agence France-Presse

US, Iran spar over nuclear talks at UN

Reuters

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UNRWA plans Turkey office to boost Gaza, Syria aid as pledges dip

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Robots can solve UAE construction labor shortage, says Buildroid AI

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Iran currency plunges to historic low amid factional blame game

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Amberin Zaman, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Danny Makki, Joyce Karam in a virtual discussion on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to Washington

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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.

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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

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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.

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