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The ancient ruins of Palmyra are pictured in central Syria at sunrise on Aug. 24, 2025.

Breaking

Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 3:04 pm

Two US soldiers, interpreter killed in ISIS ambush in Syria, Pentagon says

The deadliest attack on American troops in Syria in years comes as the Pentagon aims to reduce its footprint while building trust with Damascus-aligned forces to take on ISIS together.

Syria

Donald Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner (L), White House special envoy Steve Witkoff (C) and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attend a meeting between President Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (not pictured) at a summit on Gaza in Sharm el-Sheikh, Oct. 13, 2025.

Analysis

How the Trump administration reshaped US diplomacy toward Hamas

Unlike previous administrations, Trump’s team has engaged directly and openly with the Palestinian group — without congressional or public blowback.

By Rosaleen Carroll

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

Head of Israel's Raam, Mansour Abbas, speaks at his campaign headquarters in the northern Israeli city of Tamra before national election polls close, on Nov. 1, 2022

Analysis

Stunt or recalibration? Israel's Raam to break with Muslim Brotherhood

Raam leader Mansour Abbas took a huge political risk this week, announcing the party will sever its ties with the Islamic Movement.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Iranian soldiers keep watch at a patrol post in Zabol, southeastern Iran, near the Afghan border, on Oct. 10, 2012.

Analysis

Militant merger in Iran’s Baluchestan signals new threat to Tehran

The group’s outreach to broader ethnic communities reflects a strategic bid for wider legitimacy and a role in the wider struggle against the Islamic Republic.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

A woman sells koshary after the Eid prayer in Abu Sir village on April 21, 2023, in Giza, Egypt.

Culture

Egypt’s koshary, Gulf’s bisht gain UNESCO recognition

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has added more than 10 cultural practices from across the Middle East and North Africa region this year.

Egypt

Latest News

Exclusive

Inside Netanyahu’s pressure campaign to block Turkey, Saudi Arabia from acquiring F-35s

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin (L) talks to U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on April 7, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump is meeting with Netanyahu to discuss ongoing efforts to release Israeli hostages from Gaza and newly imposed U.S. tariffs. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

By Ben Caspit

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

Interview

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

Constantinos Kombos

Cypriot Foreign Minister

Iran’s World Cup players face US visa uncertainty over military service: What to know

Iran

Barham Salih slated to become first Kurd and Iraqi to lead UNHCR

Iraq

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The Islamic State destroyed many of Palmyra's famed historic artefacts when it occupied the area a decade ago

US troops in Syria killed in alleged IS ambush

Agence France-Presse

Palestinians inspect the site of the Israeli strike

Israel says it killed Hamas weapons chief in Gaza

Agence France-Presse

Israeli military targets senior Hamas commander in Gaza strike

Reuters

This handout picture released by the office of Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani shows him shaking hands with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during a meeting in Baghdad

Guterres marks end of UN mission in Iraq

Agence France-Presse

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Israel fears Iran has rebuilt missile capability as Trump and Netanyahu differ on regional approach

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Why are Gulf investors partaking in Paramount's bid to take over Warner Bros?

Adam Lucente interviews Jack Dutton

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On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Yazidis shunned Iraq’s corrupt practices and scored a historic win in parliamentary elections

Amberin Zaman interviews Murad Ismael

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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

Interview

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.

Interview

Saudi foreign ownership property law won't overheat market, says Dar Global CEO

Ziad El Chaar

CEO of Dar Global

Interview

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

Constantinos Kombos

Cypriot Foreign Minister

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Stunt or recalibration? Israel's Raam to break with Muslim Brotherhood

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

How the Trump administration reshaped US diplomacy toward Hamas

By Rosaleen Carroll

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

Analysis

Five ways Turkey could get back into US F-35 fighter jet program

A Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter takes off during an air show at the Teknofest festival at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul on Sept. 17, 2019.

By Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Analysis

Militant merger in Iran’s Baluchestan signals new threat to Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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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Amberin Zaman Reports from Damascus

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Elizabeth Hagedorn Reporting from UNGA in New York

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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

Past Live Journalism

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

Past Live Journalism

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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