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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

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.

Analysis

What Turkey wants from Iraq to renew pipeline deal

Ankara is pushing for full control over the pipeline’s Turkish section and a capacity-allocation system, as arbitration battles with Baghdad drag on.

By David O'Byrne

Turkish Foreign Ministery Press Service / AFP via Getty Images

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

Turkey’s ruling party denies there are internal rifts over the Syrian Democratic Forces and insists that the Kurdish-led group must disarm.

Turkey

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

Italy pledges to maintain troops in southern Lebanon after UNIFIL withdrawal

Italy plays a crucial role in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, with an Italian leading its command and the country contributing over 1,000 troops to the mission.

Lebanon

Latest News

Syria seizes anti-aircraft missiles near Iraqi border: What to know

Syria

Turkey hits renewable milestone as solar surpasses gas in power capacity

Turkey

Analysis

Gulf finance hubs race to expand as hedge funds flock to Dubai, Abu Dhabi

Traffic moves on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai on March 24, 2025.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

After Palmyra attack, Turkey adds pressure for SDF deal with Damascus

A picture taken on March 2, 2017, shows a sign displaying the routes to Palmyra-Deir Ezzor and Damascus-Iraq as Syrian regime fighters advance to retake the ancient city of Palmyra, from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. / AFP PHOTO / STRINGER (Photo credit should read STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

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People attend the ‘Light Over Darkness’ vigil honouring 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/Hollie Adams

Australian state set to pass tougher gun laws after Bondi attack

Reuters

Paramedics place a wounded person on a stretcher inside a hospital, during a wave of attacks by government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, December 22, 2025. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri

At least two civilians killed in Aleppo violence as Syrian government, SDF trade blame

Reuters

This handout photograph provided by the Turkish Foreign Ministry press service shows Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan meeting with his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani in Damascus

Deadly clashes in Aleppo as Turkey urges Kurds not to be obstacle to Syria's stability

Agence France-Presse

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis hold a joint press conference after a trilateral meeting at the Citadel of David Hotel, in Jerusalem, December 22, 2025. ABIR SULTAN/Pool via REUTERS

Netanyahu to discuss Iran, next phase of Gaza plan with Trump

Reuters

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Cyprus weighs joining Gaza force but 'not enough clarity' on mission, FM says

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

A boy sits outside the entrance to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) building complex in Gaza City, on Sept. 6, 2025.

Tamara Alrifai

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Can protests in Israel halt Netanyahu's second attempt at judicial overhaul?

Shikma Bressler, an Israeli physicist and one of the leaders of the protest against the government's judicial overhaul.

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Robots can solve UAE construction labor shortage, says Buildroid AI

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Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

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By David O'Byrne

Analysis

Syrians relieved as Caesar sanctions lifted, but recovery may take time

Representatives exit the US Capitol, Washington, DC, Dec. 17, 2025.

By Danny Makki

In London, reporting on Syrian politics and culture

Analysis

After Palmyra attack, Turkey adds pressure for SDF deal with Damascus

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Gulf finance hubs race to expand as hedge funds flock to Dubai, Abu Dhabi

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

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

Syria's Sharaa in Washington

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Iraqis prepare to head to the polls

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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.

Washington, DC

October 16, 2025 11:00 EDT

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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.

Washington, DC

May 22, 2025 10:30 EDT

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