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Turkey's army chief says 'no plans to withdraw' from Syria

Turkey’s military chief said that Ankara has no plans to withdraw troops from northern Syria despite recent Damascus-SDF agreements.

Turkey

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stand with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo, Feb. 4, 2026.

Arms production to air defense: Inside $350M Egypt-Turkey military pact

Ankara and Cairo's military framework agreement goes beyond arms sales, reflecting a gradual strategic convergence that includes intelligence sharing in third countries.

Turkey

President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed welcomes Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 9, 2026.

MBZ hosts Sisi as Saudi Arabia and UAE jockey for regional influence

Economic ties between Egypt and the UAE are strengthening thanks to large Emirati investments in the North African country.

Egypt

Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa speaks during a meeting with Russian President at the Kremlin in Moscow on January 28, 2026. (Photo by MAXIM SHIPENKOV / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

In Syria, Sharaa's brothers take spotlight with Saudi, Russian dealings

Hazem al-Sharaa is playing a key role in Syria’s economic development and ties with the Gulf, while Maher al-Sharaa is involved in diplomacy with Russia, though another brother has reportedly fallen out of favor with the president.

Syria

Uber snaps up Getir in Turkey as Mubadala exits battered delivery bet

For Uber, the $335 million deal marks a fresh bet on a populous growth market and comes at quite the discount — as recently as 2022, Getir was valued at nearly $12 billion.

Turkey

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Why IRGC’s shadow empire is set to endure even as Iran’s economy spirals

Iranians ride their motorbike past a huge banner of former Iran Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani ahead of the sixth anniversary of his assassination, in Tehran, Dec. 31, 2025.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

New nuclear deal is no silver bullet for Iran's untapped gas reserves

03/04/2021 Asalouyeh, Iran. A view of refinery No. 2 (Phases 2, 3) of the? South Pars Gas-Condensate field in Asalouyeh Seaport, north of the Persian? Gulf in Iran.The South Pars Gas-Condensate field, the world's largest natural gas field, is shared with Qatar (North Dome) (Photo by Saeid Arabzadeh / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by SAEID ARABZADEH/Middle East Images /AFP via Getty Images)

By Jack Dutton

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Analysis

Will 2026 be year of electoral change in Palestine?

By Daoud Kuttab

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Analysis

Why Iran is facing hard choices after Oman nuclear talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi meets with his Omani counterpart, Badr Albusaidi, ahead of talks with the US in Muscat, Oman on Feb. 6, 2026.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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The impoverished Lebanese city of Tripoli has many buildings in a state of decay

Residents of north Lebanon city lose neighbours, livelihoods in building collapse

Agence France-Presse

The new measures aim to increase Israel's hold over the occupied West Bank

International outrage grows over Israel's plans for West Bank

Agence France-Presse

FILE PHOTO: A map showig the Strait of Hormuz and Iran is seen behind a 3D printed miniature of U.S. President Donald Trump in this illustration taken June 22, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

US issues fresh guidance to vessels transiting Strait of Hormuz as Iran tensions simmer

Reuters

FILE PHOTO: Norway's Ambassador to the United Nations Mona Juul addresses the United Nations Security Council during a meeting, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at the United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S., April 5, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo

Norway police investigate diplomat couple over suspected Epstein corruption

Reuters

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The Al-Monitor Brief

US-Iran nuclear talks kick off in Oman: Regional reactions and next steps

Adam Lucente interviews Elizabeth Hagedorn and Rina Bassist

13:21

The Al-Monitor Brief

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

26:28

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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

Interview

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

Bandar Alkhorayef

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources

Interview

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

New nuclear deal is no silver bullet for Iran's untapped gas reserves

By Jack Dutton

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Analysis

Why IRGC’s shadow empire is set to endure even as Iran’s economy spirals

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

Moving Iran talks from Turkey to Oman deepens Ankara’s PKK concerns

A man holds a poster of Abdullah Ocalan, Turkish-jailed founder of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), during a gathering of Turkish Kurds for Nowruz celebrations in Diyarbakir, southeast Turkey, on March 21, 2025.

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Will 2026 be year of electoral change in Palestine?

By Daoud Kuttab

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Elizabeth Hagdeorn asking Rubio a question about negotiations with the Iranian government after its killing of protesters

Rubio tells Al-Monitor talks with Iran must address ballistic missiles, proxies

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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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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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