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In this handout photo provided by the US Navy, the Abraham Lincoln and John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Groups conduct carrier strike force operations in the US 6th Fleet area of operations on April 24, 2019 in the Mediterranean Sea.

F-35s, carriers and B-2 bombers: Pentagon reinforces Mideast military presence

The Pentagon has been quietly amassing forces in the Middle East amid concerns that Iran's IRGC could lash out at US bases in the Arabian Peninsula and the Levant if the White House's bid to end Tehran's nuclear enrichment via diplomacy goes off the rails.

United States

President Donald Trump speaking during a swearing-in ceremony in the Oval Office at the White House on March 28, 2025, in Washington, DC.

Analysis

Can Trump's Middle East strategy avert military confrontation with Iran?

The US and Iran are not on the brink of war just yet. But Washington is racing against the clock to rein in Tehran’s nuclear program before China can invade Taiwan — and before Israel tries to do the job alone.

By Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

People with placards during a demonstration in support of Ekrem Imamoglu and political prisoners in Turkey and in solidarity with the resistance to the Erdogan regime in Paris France March 29, 2025. (Photo by Bastien Ohier / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by BASTIEN OHIER/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey fines Meta for refusing to restrict Facebook, Instagram over Imamoglu protests

Unlike X, which has suspended social media accounts at the request of the Turkish government, Meta says it has faced heavy fines in Turkey for refusing to do so.

Turkey

The heavily damaged Shahid (Martyr) Mosque is pictured in Khartoum's Muqrin neighbourhood on March 22, 2025. Sudan's army and allied armed groups seized the country's presidential palace on March 21 in the ongoing war against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries, which the RSF had used since the start of the war to house elite forces and stockpile ammunition. The military has since launched a clearing operation to push the RSF out of the city centre, retaking on March 22 several strategic state ins

Khartoum accuses RSF of looting and destroying Sudan's heritage: What to know

The Sudanese government accused the Rapid Support Forces of looting and destroying cultural heritage sites, including the Sudan National Museum, during their occupation of Khartoum, calling the actions war crimes and pledging to work with UNESCO and Interpol to recover stolen artifacts.

Sudan

This picture taken from Israel-annexed Golan Heights along the border with southern Syria shows smoke billowing above the Syrian village of Koayiah during Israeli bombardment, on March 25, 2025.

Israel carries out airstrikes in Damascus, Homs, Hama as Syria tensions flare

Israel is upping its military action against Syria despite protests from the new government in Damascus.

Israel

Latest News

Analysis

Is Iran's warning it could go nuclear after Trump's threat a bluff or more?

A picture taken on Aug. 20, 2010, shows an Iranian flag fluttering at an undisclosed location in the Islamic republic next to a surface-to-surface Qiam-1 missile.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Top US senator: No F-35 jets for Turkey until Russia's S-400 missiles 'gone'

A column of Russian missile S-400 Triumf systems drives on Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow, on May 9, 2024.

Turkey

Analysis

How criticism of Trump may have sunk Netanyahu's Shin Bet nominee

Former US President Donald Trump gestures as US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) addresses the crowd during a 2024 election campaign event in Columbia, South Carolina, on January 28, 2023. Trump hits the campaign trail Saturday for the first time in a third bid for the US presidency overshadowed by intensifying criminal investigations and a firestorm of political controversy. The twice-impeached Republican, whose party lost the White House and both chambers of Congress during his term, makes his case for anoth

By Ben Caspit

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

Spain arrests 3 suspects accused of supplying Hezbollah with drone parts

Civil Guard agents are pictured in an anti-terrorist operation against a Hezbollah drone manufacturing facility in this undated photo.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

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Yemenis inspect the damage after an air strike blamed on the United States hit a rebel-held town in Hodeida province on the Red Sea coast before dawn on Wednesday.

Yemen Huthis say one dead as more than 20 strikes hit rebel-held areas

Agence France-Presse

Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban hosts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Budapest this week

Hungary's 'illiberal' Orban, Israel's staunchest friend in the EU

Agence France-Presse

Hungary's Viktor Orban extended an invitation to Netanyahu last November, a day after the ICC issued the arrest warrant

Israel's Netanyahu arrives in Hungary, defying ICC warrant

Agence France-Presse

Many casualties are children desperate for something to do or searching through the rubble

Shiny and deadly, unexploded munitions a threat to Gaza children

Agence France-Presse

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On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

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

Amberin Zaman interviews Gonul Tol and Lisel Hintz

29:23

The Al-Monitor Brief

What's the significance of anti-Hamas protests in Gaza?

Adam Lucente interviews Daoud Kuttab

7:23

The Al-Monitor Brief

Turkey's protests enter 7th day: view from Ankara

Adam Lucente interviews Ezgi Akin

8:43

ALM Interviews

Exclusive conversations with Al-Monitor.

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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

As AI superpowers clash, Saudi tech diplomat pushes collaboration over competition

Deemah AlYahya

Secretary General, Digital Cooperation Organization

Interview

Amid Israel's rightward shift, left struggles for relevance

Yair Golan

Chair of the Democrats Party

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.

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Is Iran's warning it could go nuclear after Trump's threat a bluff or more?

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

How criticism of Trump may have sunk Netanyahu's Shin Bet nominee

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

Can Gulf states slash costly reliance on Western consultancies?

The PwC Tower, or Libeskind Tower, Milan, March 12, 2021.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

Can Trump's Middle East strategy avert military confrontation with Iran?

By Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

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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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