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A picture obtained by AFP from the Iranian news agency Tasnim on Jan. 4, 2021, shows the South Korean-flagged tanker being escorted by Iran's Revolutionary Guards navy after being seized in the Gulf.

Iran's IRGC seizes two tankers in Gulf over alleged oil smuggling

What appeared to be a routine policing action followed two run-ins with the US Navy earlier this week, amid a massive buildup of US naval and air forces around Iran.

Iran

Merz courts Gulf as Germany seeks energy alternatives to US, China

Berlin is seeking to capitalize on ties with Gulf energy giants as relations with the United States have cooled amid strains over transatlantic defense commitments, Washington’s pursuit of Greenland and tariffs.

Qatar

An emergency vehicle drives through flood waters as residents are evacuated and relocated to other towns as preventive and emergency evacuations are carried out to move residents living near flood-prone areas following the weather alert and the rise in the water level of the Loukkos River, with flooding expected in the coming days, in Ksar El Kebir on Feb. 1, 2026.

Storm Leonardo displaces 140,000 as heavy floods hit northern Morocco

Heavy rains from the storm have flooded northern Morocco, prompting mass evacuations and straining emergency services.

Morocco

Members of Syrian security forces at the entrance of the al-Hol camp in the desert region of Hasakah province which holds around 24,000 people, including some 6,200 women and children from around 40 nationalities on Jan. 21, 2026 in Al Hasakah, Syria.

Feature

Syrian Kurds say US ignored pleas for help as ISIS detainees turned on them in al-Hol

Chaos at al-Hol during clashes between Kurdish forces and Damascus underscored the widening security vacuum amid Kurdish claims of US abandonment.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

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Analysis

Despite US assurances, Israel fears being sidelined in partial Iran deal

By Ben Caspit

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

Rubio says talks with Iran should address missiles, proxies

United States

Trump says Iran's Khamenei should be 'very worried'

US President Donald Trump speaks to the press about a critical minerals stockpile with $12 billion in initial funding, as Washington seeks to lower reliance on China for rare earths and other resources, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on Feb. 2, 2026.

Iran

Washington Post cuts 30% of staff, guts foreign desk, Mideast team: What to know

A man exits the Washington Post office building in Washington, DC, on Feb. 4, 2026.

United States

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Oman is a longstanding but discreet mediator

Iran, US prepare for Oman talks after deadly protest crackdown

Agence France-Presse

Dthe pro-Iranian militia Hezbollah is running a camp for Lebanese and Syrians who lives in villages it controlled during the Syrian war

In Lebanon, a Hezbollah-run camp houses people escaping Syria

Agence France-Presse

Jafar Panahi is Iran's best-known director internationally

Iran filmmaker Panahi fears Iranians' interests will be 'sacrificed' in US talks

Agence France-Presse

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi attends a press conference after meeting with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan, in Istanbul, Turkey, January 30, 2026. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya

Iran's foreign minister heads to Muscat for nuclear talks with US

Reuters

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Turkey out as host of US-Iran talks as Erdogan visits Saudi Arabia, Egypt

Adam Lucente interviews Ezgi Akin

11:45

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

What does future hold for Syria's Kurds after dramatic losses to Damascus?

Amberin Zaman interviews Meghan Bodette

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The Al-Monitor Brief

What are Trump’s options in Iran as US ships amass? View from Washington

Adam Lucente interviews Elizabeth Hagedorn and Jared Szuba

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Qualcomm sees growing demand for edge AI in the Middle East

Wassim Chourbaji

Qualcomm president for the Middle East & Africa

Interview

Grossi: IAEA seeks return to Syria as Kurdish unrest delays nuclear inspections

Rafael Grossi

IAEA Director General

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Saudi Arabia keeps doors open to US, China in critical minerals race

Bandar Alkhorayef

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources

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YPG spokesman: Syrian forces' strategy is to isolate Kurdish towns and cities

Siyamend Ali

YPG spokesman

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Despite US assurances, Israel fears being sidelined in partial Iran deal

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

US, Iran weigh de-escalation declaration as first step of talks

Motorists drive past as firefighters battle a fire that broke out in Jannat Bazaar, west of Tehran on Feb. 3, 2026.

By A correspondent in Iran

In Iran, reporting on politics

Analysis

Caught in the Gulf crossfire: Pakistan navigates Saudi-UAE rivalry

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, meets with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari at Za’abeel Palace in Dubai on Jan. 28, 2026.

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Analysis

In Saudi Arabia, Erdogan fosters security alignment, $30B trade push

By Ezgi Akin

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

Al-Monitor's Amberin Zaman inside an abandoned Russian military base in Qamishli, Syria

Inside Russia's abandoned military base in Northeast Syria

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1:55

Scenes from the inside of Saudi House at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, including the green Saudi Arabian flag standing next to a framed portrait of Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's crown prince.

Behind the Scenes at Davos - Saudi House

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2:05

Kurdish protesters gather outside of USA house in Davos, Switzerland at the World Economic Forum with flags of Kurdistan

Kurdish protesters gather outside USA House in Davos

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2:30

Christopher de Bellaigue and Amberin Zaman side by side

Iran protests against the regime: What's different this time?

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Past Live Journalism

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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