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The sun sets behind burning gas flares at the Dora Oil Refinery Complex in Baghdad on Nov. 24, 2025.

Exclusive

Baghdad, US turn to Iraqi Kurds for oil exports as Iran war hits supplies

Baghdad wants Kurdish pipelines to move up to 200,000 barrels per day to global markets, but Erbil is demanding relief from a dollar embargo and greater autonomy over trade.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

US President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference at Trump National Doral in Miami, Florida, on March 9, 2026.

Trump says Iran war to end 'very soon' as oil prices soar

He also said the military campaign in Iran would "go further" despite "achieving major strides."

Iran

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Palmachim Air Base on March 3, 2026, accompanied by Minister of Defense Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.

Analysis

Israel doubts Iran regime change odds despite Netanyahu rhetoric

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday, “We have a systematic plan to eradicate the Iranian regime,” but Israeli experts say he is aware of the difficulties in triggering regime change.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

ALEXEI DRUZHININ/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

Putin becomes first to congratulate Mojtaba Khamenei: What to know

Oman, Iraq, Azerbaijan and Armenia have all congratulated the Khamenei's son.

Iran

Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike targeted an area in Beirut's southern suburbs on March 7, 2026. (Photo by FADEL itani / AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon releases Hezbollah members on $20 bail as Israel escalates attacks

Hezbollah members who were arrested in Lebanon last week were released on a nominal bail under pressure from the group.

Lebanon

Latest News

Syria’s Sharaa blasts Iran’s ‘destabilizing’ role, moves closer to US, Gulf

Syria

Israel’s strikes on Iran oil depots test Pentagon’s war aims

Smoke and flames rise at the site of airstrikes on an oil depot in Tehran on March 7, 2026.

Iran

G7 readies strategic reserves after oil nears $120 amid Iran war

In this photo illustration, a smartphone displays the crude oil price in USD after markets in the UK opened on March 9, 2026, in London, England.

Iran

Democratic US senators demand immediate hearings on Iran war

U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) questions U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as he testifies before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing titled "U.S. Policy Towards Venezuela", on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 28, 2026. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo

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FILE PHOTO: European Council President Antonio Costa speaks during a press conference with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy (not pictured) and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (not pictured) on the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, February 24, 2026. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko/File Photo

Russia is the only winner of Middle East war, EU's Costa says

Reuters

Israel ahead of schedule on war goals in Iran, ambassador to France says

Reuters

Iran's foreign minister says there will be no more negotiations with the United States

Iran vows to fight on and block all Gulf oil

Agence France-Presse

'Maybe we die together': Voices at the Iran-Turkey mountain crossing

Reuters

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How long can the Gulf protect itself from Iranian strikes?

Francesco Schiavi joins Adam Lucente

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Adam Lucente, Ezgi Akin and Rina Bassist

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Middle East at war: Regional observations on Iran, Israel, Turkey and beyond

Rina Bassist, Ezgi Akin and Beatrice Farhat joins Adam Lucente

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On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Most Iranians would reject US deal, fearing it enables regime survival, says Hamidreza Azizi

Hamidreza Azizi joins Amberin Zaman

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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'

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.

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Israel doubts Iran regime change odds despite Netanyahu rhetoric

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

Qatar gas shock roils Middle East energy risk profile amid Iran war

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

Turkey cautious but unfazed by US plan to mobilize Iranian Kurds against regime

A group of Peshmergas of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) walks during military training near one of their bases in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, on March 1, 2025.

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Oil crisis stokes inflation risks for Mideast as Iran war exposes importers

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Joyce Karam, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Holly Dagres, and Ali Hashem

Are the US and Iran closer to war or a deal?

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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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Iraqi Christian man in dark blue sweater sitting in an office

After years abroad, Iraq’s Christians weigh returning home

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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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Past

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

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

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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