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Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, US President Donald Trump's nominee to be ambassador to Israel, testifies during his Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, March 25, 2025.

Interview

Huckabee confirms US-Israel alignment on Iran, says Hamas will disarm 'sooner or later'

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told Al-Monitor in an interview that the 2025 strike on Iranian nuclear sites was only a preview of what the US military is capable of.

Members of People's Defense Units (YPG) stand guard as Syrian government internal security personnel enter the northeastern city of Hasakeh, a Kurdish stronghold, on Feb. 2, 2026.

Feature

After SDF-Damascus truce, is Kurdish haven still safe for Syria's Alawites?

Thousands of Alawites who fled violence in western Syria now face uncertainty as the Syrian government and Kurdish forces reach a tentative truce.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

US President Donald Trump speaks during a visit to the Fort Bragg US Army base on Feb. 13, 2026 in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Hopes for nuclear deal fade as US, Iran cling to red lines

President Trump is unlikely to approve a limited nuclear agreement that would invite comparisons to the 2015 deal he once scorned.

Iran

Russia doubles down on Iran nuclear cooperation as US talks inch forward

Moscow’s energy minister said Russia is currently building equipment for new units at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant.

Iran

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today received Lindsey Graham, member of the US Senate. During the meeting at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi,

UAE’s MBZ appears with Lindsey Graham, dismissing health rumors

Graham pushed back against what he called “false narratives” about the UAE leader, making the remarks after days of online rumors regarding the president’s health.

United Arab Emirates

Latest News

Fidan heads to US as Turkey eyes Gaza troop role: What to know

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks during a press statement with his French counterpart in Ankara, on Jan. 27, 2026.

Turkey

Analysis

Military posturing alongside fragile diplomacy: What’s next for US-Iran talks?

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (3rd L) and Switzerland's Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis (2nd R) attend a bilateral meeting between Switzerland and Iran during a second round of US-Iranian talks with Washington pushing Tehran to make a deal to limit its nuclear program, in Geneva on Feb. 17, 2026.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Unfazed by Saudi pressure, UAE unveils solar investment in Somaliland

United Arab Emirates

Analysis

Israel concerned Iran trying to buy time but sees US strikes as still possible

By Ben Caspit

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

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FILE PHOTO: A U.S. military vehicle moves on a road on the day of a meeting between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) leaders and U.S. military leaders, in Deir Hafer, Syria. January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman/ File Photo

US withdrawing all forces from Syria, WSJ reports

Reuters

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said 'no other nation in any other place in the world has a stronger right than our historical and documented right to the land of the Bible'

Israel conducting 'gradual de facto annexation' of W.Bank: UN official

Agence France-Presse

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a charter announcement for his Board of Peace initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts, alongside the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos, Switzerland, January 22, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Trump to host Board of Peace meeting on Thursday, White House says

Reuters

US imposing visa restrictions on Iranian officials, telecom leaders

Reuters

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The Al-Monitor Brief

Turkey’s Erdogan in Ethiopia as Horn of Africa diplomacy heats up

Ezgi Akin joins Adam Lucente

9:17

The Al-Monitor Brief

What’s next for Israel, US-Iran talks after Trump-Netanyahu meeting?

Ben Caspit joins Adam Lucente

20:47

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Iran’s clerical regime can reform itself — provided Khamenei goes, says Iranian historian Arash Azizi

Arash Azizi joins Amberin Zaman

28:36

ALM Interviews

Exclusive conversations with Al-Monitor.

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Interview

AI, cybersecurity high on Mideast priorities amid global tech rivalry: Tech Mahindra

A man and woman walk along a promenade overlooking the Burj al-Arab and Dubai skyline on January 4, 2025. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Interview

Treated as 'enemies’: Ahmad Tibi accuses Netanyahu government of indifference to Arab Israeli lives

Ahmad Tibi

Knesset member and Ta'al Party leader

Interview

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

Siyamend Ali

YPG spokesman

Interview

Huckabee confirms US-Israel alignment on Iran, says Hamas will disarm 'sooner or later'

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Egyptians in for another expensive Ramadan despite recovering economy

An Egyptian vendor fills dates for a customer at a market in Cairo's central Sayyida Zeinab district on Feb. 12, 2026, as Muslims prepare for the holy fasting month of Ramadan, which begins early next week.

By Jack Dutton

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

Analysis

Israel concerned Iran trying to buy time but sees US strikes as still possible

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

Can Maliki overcome Trump opposition to reclaim Iraq’s PM post?

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki delivers a speech during a campaign rally for the State of Law Coalition ahead of the country's parliamentary elections in Baghdad on Nov. 7, 2025.

By Adam Lucente

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

Analysis

Military posturing alongside fragile diplomacy: What’s next for US-Iran talks?

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Saudi Arabia's former and new investment ministers side by side

Saudi Arabia names new investment minister as Vision 2030 funding lags

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1:11

Iraqi Christian man in dark blue sweater sitting in an office

After years abroad, Iraq’s Christians weigh returning home

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3:39

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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2:22

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

ALM Events

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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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