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Armoured vehicles of the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Forces are deployed outside the US embassy building in Baghdad's Green Zone on June 12, 2025, after an announcement by a US official the previous day that staff levels at the diplomatic mission in Iraq were being reduced over security concerns. Despite reporting progress in earlier rounds of talks between Iran and the United States, tensions have reached a fever pitch this week as Washington moved non-essential staff from bases in the region following US medi

Analysis

After Iraq’s election, what are US priorities for next government?

Washington wants there to be no sanctioned groups in the next Iraqi government, a source told Al-Monitor, as the US and Iran compete for influence.

By Adam Lucente

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

A view of a concrete wall built by Israel near the Blue Line in Maroun al-Ras, Lebanon, on Nov. 13, 2025.

Analysis

France seeks to bolster Lebanon's army through UNIFIL coordination, donor conference

France believes that the key to stabilizing the region is bolstering the Lebanese military so it can regain control over the south of the country.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

View of Damietta Segas LNG Terminal, in Damietta, Egypt, which is an export terminal belong to Spanish Egyptian Gas Company.

Analysis

Egypt’s $35B Israel gas deal buys time, tests fragile energy partnership

The agreement is a critical stopgap as Cairo grapples with domestic power demands, but the last two years have tested Egypt-Israel energy cooperation in unprecedented ways.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

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)

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

Latest News

Analysis

Iran currency plunges to historic low amid factional blame game

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

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Exclusive

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

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)

By Joyce Karam , Rina Bassist

Yemeni ministries declare support for STC campaign as Gulf tensions flare

Saudi Arabia

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

Turkey

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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

Black box recovered from Libyan general's crashed plane

Agence France-Presse

Syria's Christian community is believed to have shrunk from one million in 2011, when the war began, to around 300,000 today, with many seeking refuge abroad

Festive lights, security tight for Christmas in Damascus

Agence France-Presse

How Israel's hilltop settlers coordinate attacks to expel Palestinians

Reuters

Turkish search and rescue teams arrive to a crash site of a jet carrying Libya's army chief of staff Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad near Kesikkavak village, Turkey, December 24, 2025. REUTERS/Cagla Gurdogan

Turkey says electrical failure reported before Libyan military jet crash

Reuters

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What’s next for Syria's economy, security after Trump repeals Caesar sanctions?

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Constantinos Kombos

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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

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

France seeks to bolster Lebanon's army through UNIFIL coordination, donor conference

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

After Iraq’s election, what are US priorities for next government?

By Adam Lucente

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

Analysis

Iran currency plunges to historic low amid factional blame game

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

Egypt’s $35B Israel gas deal buys time, tests fragile energy partnership

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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