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Analysis

Turkey, Israel on collision course in Syria over incursions, Kurdish support

Ankara is concerned that Israel may seek to solidify its territorial gains in Syria, leveraging regional instability and pro-Israel US policies.

By Ezgi Akin

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

Bavar missiles are displayed during the annual military parade marking the anniversary of the outbreak of Iran's 1980-1988 war with Saddam Hussein's Iraq, in Tehran on Sept. 21, 2024.

Analysis

Two months on, Iran’s ‘inevitable’ retaliation against Israel stalls, fueling frustration

The Islamic Republic is facing questions about its regional strength, and ferocious criticism from its loyalists, as it rethinks a promised response to Israel's October missile attack amid massive defense setbacks and fears of a yet more devastating cycle of escalation.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

A man rides his scooter past a destroyed mosque and apartment buildings in Harasta, near the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Dec. 19, 2024.

Analysis

China seeks to protect Syria interests, work with HTS on Uyghur 'threats'

With a new administration in Damascus, China is revaluating its relationship with Syria and increasingly focused on rise of Islamists' threats.

By Sabena Siddiqui

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

The leader of Syria's Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that headed a lightning rebel offensive snatching Damascus from government control, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, waves to the crowd before addressing them at the capital's landmark Umayyad Mosque on December 8, 2024. Jolani, now using his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa, gave a speech as the crowd chanted "Allahu akbar (God is greatest)," a video shared by the rebels on their Telegram channel showed. (Photo by Abdulaziz KETAZ / AFP) (Photo by ABDULAZIZ KE

US scraps $10M bounty on HTS leader Golani after meeting in Damascus

A delegation including Assistant Secretary Barbara Leaf and hostage envoy Roger Carstens met with leaders of the powerful rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

Syria

Turkey appears to want more than Syria’s oil

Like Moscow and Washington, Ankara seems to be coveting the oilfields of Deir ez-Zor in Syrian Kurdistan, which Kurds fear would give Turkey an opening to take over the entire Rojava area.

Syria

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Analysis

Were Israel's Yemen strikes trial run for major attack on Iran?

A banner depicting Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stands next to a ballistic missile in Baharestan Square, Tehran, Sept. 26, 2024.

By Ben Caspit

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

Al-Monitor: First stop for understanding the Middle East in 2024

An aerial view shows a Syrian man waving the independence-era Syrian flag at Damascus' central Umayyad Square on Dec. 11, 2024.

By Andrew Parasiliti

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security

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Turkey's Erdogan offers help in Syria state structure ahead of Fidan visit

Turkey

Ahead of Syria visit, Lebanon Druze leader Jumblatt says give HTS 'a chance'

Walid Jumblatt delivers a speech during a gathering in Ain Zhalta on June 25, 2023.

Syria

Israeli emergency responders inspect a crater at the site where a projectile fired from Yemen landed in Tel Aviv

Yemen rebels strike Israel's Tel Aviv in pre-dawn missile attack

Agence France-Presse

Austin Tice was detained at a checkpoint in Syria on August 14, 2012

US says new Syria rulers helping in hunt for reporter Tice

Agence France-Presse

Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury stand on stage during the official weigh-in

Bulked-up Fury promises 'war' in Usyk rematch

Agence France-Presse

A child looks on as Israeli soldiers patrol in Jubata al-Khashab, in the UN-patrolled Golan Heights buffer zone, which Israeli troops entered after the fall of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad

Israel army says troops shot Syrian protester in leg

Agence France-Presse

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What's behind Europe's overtures towards Syria after the fall of Assad?

Adam Lucente interviews Rina Bassist

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Turkish lawmaker Cengiz Candar: 'Turkey's endgame is to destroy Kurdish autonomy in Syria'

Amberin Zaman interviews Cengiz Candar

38:22

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How does US view the rebel advance in Syria?

Adam Lucente interviews Elizabeth Hagedorn & Jared Szuba

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Syrian Kurd FM Ilham Ahmed says PKK leader Ocalan's words of 'vital importance'

Ilham Ahmed

Co-President of the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria

Interview

Lebanon’s ex-spymaster says Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire close

Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim

Former Lebanese intelligence chief

Interview

EU escorted over 200 ships in Red Sea amid Gulf maritime threats, envoy says

NUSA DUA, INDONESIA - JULY 08: The Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi (R) greets the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luigi Di Maio (L) during arrival of the G20 Foreign Ministers and Head of Department at the Grand Ballroom Mulia Hotel on July 08, 2022 in Nusa Dua, Indonesia. (Photo by Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images)

Luigi di Maio

EU Special Representative for the Gulf

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US-allied Syrian Kurdish woman commander: ISIS poised to carry 'fight to new level'

Rojhelat Afrin

Women’s Protection Units Commander in Chief

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This picture taken on December 18, 2018 shows a view of electricity transmission towers in the Saudi capital Riyadh. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia's electricity sector to see significant transformation by 2030

Gerald Kepes

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy trends

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 30: A container ship departs the Port of Newark for the Atlantic Ocean on September 30, 2024 seen from New York City. A massive strike that could shut down ports across the East and Gulf coasts could begin at midnight as members of the International Longshoremen’s Association continue to make salary and other demands to the United States Maritime Alliance, which controls many of the ports across the country. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Red Sea, Iran energy threats amplify 2025 global economic risks as trade wars, Trump loom

Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Cars drive along a street in front of high-rise buildings in Dubai, on February 18, 2023. - Home to towering skyscrapers and ultra-luxury villas, Dubai saw record real estate transactions in 2022, largely due to an influx of wealthy investors, especially from Russia. (Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP) (Photo by KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)

UAE aims to attract family offices to boost stature as wealth hub

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Two months on, Iran’s ‘inevitable’ retaliation against Israel stalls, fueling frustration

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

Turkey, Israel on collision course in Syria over incursions, Kurdish support

By Ezgi Akin

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

Analysis

Were Israel's Yemen strikes trial run for major attack on Iran?

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

China seeks to protect Syria interests, work with HTS on Uyghur 'threats'

By Sabena Siddiqui

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

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UAE presidential advisor HE Dr. Anwar Gargash speaks at AL-Monitor event during UNGA

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York City, AL-Monitor hosted HE Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the UAE, for an off-the-record dinner and discussion at Le Jardinier of the Bastion Collection. The event was attended by thought and business leaders as well as former officials.

New York City, NY

September 26, 2024 18:00 EDT

Past Live Journalism

Iraq PM Sudani speaks at AL-Monitor/US Chamber of Commerce event during UNGA

At an event hosted by AL-Monitor and the US Chamber of Commerce, the prime minister discussed Iraq’s plan to achieve energy independence by 2030 and his desire to drawdown the US military presence in the country.

New York City, NY

September 25, 2024 18:00 EDT

Past Live Journalism

Salon conversation with Turkey's Ambassador to the US Sedat Önal

AL-Monitor hosted the ambassador of Turkey to the United States, Sedat Önal, for an off-the-record discussion on a wide range of topics such as Turkey-US relations, the Gaza war and Turkey's military intervention in Syria. The event was attended by guests from media, private business, and government.

Washington, DC

September 12, 2024 16:00 EDT

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