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Analysis

Playing for time: Despite US pressure, Israel stalls Lebanon talks until after election

Ahead of the eighth round of talks in Rome, the Israeli military reported clearing Hezbollah's underground stronghold at Ali al-Taher after besieging the ridge for months.

By Ben Caspit

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

Who is Amir Yaryab, IRGC’s cyber commander in US crosshairs?

The US State Department has offered up to $10 million for information on Amir Yaryab, who oversees a key part of Iran’s cyber operations.

Iran

US sanctions Turkey-based bank over Iran ties

The Treasury Department said Golden Global Bank was facilitating transactions for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Iran

Ibrahim Kalin, Turkish presidential spokesperson, gives a press conference at the Presidential Complex, Ankara, May 25, 2022.

Turkey and Greece's intelligence chiefs hold rare talks: What to know

The meeting comes after Turkey recently warned Greece over what it called an arms race in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey

Syria destroys 42 bombs in chemical stockpile purge: What to know

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has resumed its inspections in Syria and confirmed that at least 42 aerial bombs have been destroyed by Syrian authorities in the first such efforts since 2014.

Syria

Latest News

Red Cross says transferred four people released by Israel to Lebanon

The ICRC has facilitated the return of five Lebanese individuals seized by Israel so far

Agence France-Presse

Why Ali al-Taher ridge is emerging as Israel-Hezbollah flashpoint

A flare fired by the Israeli military lands over the highlands of the area of Ali al-Taher as seen from nearby Marjayoun (Marjeyoun) in southern Lebanon on June 14, 2026.

Lebanon

Starlink expands Middle East footprint with UAE launch: What to know

By Jack Dutton

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

Saudi Arabia taps China’s MiniMax for Arabic AI model

Guests stand at the booth of Saudi artificial intelligence company Humain during the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh, on Oct. 29, 2025.

Saudi Arabia

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US pressure on Iran starting to tell, as sanctions and blockade bite

Reuters

Costa Rican President Laura Fernandez and pro-government lawmakers arrive to file a complaint against four Constitutional Chamber justices, alleging judicial misconduct after a ruling they denounced as a "coup d'état," in San Jose, Costa Rica, August 3, 2026. REUTERS/Mayela Lopez

Costa Rica president says US ground forces would help national security

Reuters

FILE PHOTO: Ranking Member U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) speaks at a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 22, 2026. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon/File Photo

Exclusive-US military turns off ad trackers on devices amid Middle East targeting reports

Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump looks on as he meets with travel executives in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 2, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

Trump says US may hit Iran's Pickaxe Mountain soon

Reuters

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Interviews

Exclusive conversations with AL-MONITOR.

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Interview

Israel's deputy FM, Sharren Haskel, bets on a new right after breaking with Netanyahu

Sharren Haskel speaks at an event marking 60 years of diplomatic ties between Germany and Israel hosted by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Berlin, Oct. 16, 2025.

Interview

Resumption in Yemen's oil exports 'possible' with security measures: VP

Deputy chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council Sultan Ali al-Aradah

Interview

PJAK leader mocks Iran’s claim Turkey spiked US Kurdish-backed regime-change plan

A Kurdish fighter from the Iranian Kurdish armed faction Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) stands with his rifle at a site near the Iraqi border with Iran in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, on March 8, 2026.

Siamand Moeini

PJAK Executive Council Member

Interview

Barzani calls for enhanced air defense for Kurdistan Region to counter drone attacks

Masrour Barzani

KRG Prime Minister

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

As Israeli settler attacks mount, Trump avoids public pressure on Netanyahu

Israeli soldiers arrive in the village of Qusra, south of Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which has faced escalating Israeli settler violence over the past month, on Aug. 29, 2026.

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Analysis

Can Iran’s economic buffers withstand new US sanctions?

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

Israel favors status quo as tensions in Iran's leadership fuel escalation risk

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

Playing for time: Despite US pressure, Israel stalls Lebanon talks until after election

By Ben Caspit

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

Inside US-Israel fault lines on Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey

July 29, 2026