Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander-in-chief Mazloum Kobane waves after giving a press conference in Syria's northeastern city of Hasakeh on Dec. 6, 2024.

Breaking

Last Updated: January 15, 2025, 9:05 am

Iraqi Kurdish leader Barzani to meet Syria SDF commander Kobane in historic step

Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani will meet SDF commander Mazlum Kobane in a historic step toward easing regional tensions and advancing US-backed reconciliation efforts.

The destroyed grain silos and a sculpture made from salvaged steel following the explosion stand in the port of Beirut as the sun sets on Lebanon, Jan. 11, 2024.

Analysis

Eyeing reconstruction, port investment, UAE resets Lebanon ties

A weakened Hezbollah and a new government in Beirut give room for the Emirates to play a big role, politically and economically, in Lebanon.

Jennifer Gnana

מאת Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan on Oct. 23, 2024.

Iran, Russia set to sign partnership deal: What we know

While the deal has been drafted with the stated goal of reshaping the trajectory of bilateral ties, questions remain over its regional implications, fueled by concerns in Iran over national interests being compromised.

US President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, speaks during a Senate Armed Services confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on Jan. 14, 2025, in Washington, DC.

Hegseth stresses support for Israel as Senate Dems grill Trump’s Pentagon pick

In a contentious hearing, the former Fox News host signaled a loosening of rules of engagement for troops abroad and stressed his "robust" support for Israel, yet offered few specifics on how he would tackle the Pentagon’s biggest challenges.

Deputy National Security Advisor Tony Blinken speaks during the daily briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House on July 28, 2014 in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Biden’s new secretary of state ready to take on the Middle East

Antony Blinken, President-elect Joe Biden's choice to lead the State Department, has worked alongside Biden for nearly two decades.

Latest News

Pro-Assad militias clash with Syria security in Latakia: What we know

A member of Syria's transitional government security forces calls the names of persons queueing up at a center for handing over small arms and security registration with the new authorities, in Damascus, on Dec. 24, 2024.

Analysis

As Gaza deal looms, will Netanyahu choose Trump or Israel’s far right?

Trump and Netanyahu

מאת Ben Caspit

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

Sign up to our Daily Briefing

Keep up with Al-Monitor's top stories with a morning digest from across the region.

Who is Julia Sebutinde, pro-Israel judge in line for ICJ presidency?

ICJ

Al-Waleed bin Talal announces Four Seasons to reopen in Beirut, Lebanon

A picture shows the four seasons hotel in Beirut with the snow covered mountain of Sannine in the background on March 8, 2019. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images)

UN rights chief Volker Turk met with Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus

UN rights chief says transitional justice 'crucial' in Syria

Agence France-Presse

Nobel laureate Denis Mukwege said the authorities of Bashar al-Assad committed widespread abuses in Syria's jails

Syria sex abuse survivors need aid, says Nobel winner Mukwege

Agence France-Presse

Palestinians at the site of an Israeli strike on a school turned shelter in Gaza City

Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 27 Palestinians

Agence France-Presse

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (L) met British counterpart Keir Starmer as he visits London

BP nears deals for oil fields, curbs on gas flaring in Iraq

Agence France-Presse

Editor's choice

Three stories hand-picked by our editorial team.

Stay informed with our daily and weekly newsletters

Read By

See all newsletters

Adam Lucente and Rosaleen Carroll

The Al-Monitor Brief

Will the US close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility?

Adam Lucente interviews Rosaleen Carroll

8:33

van Dam

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Why Syria's new Islamist leaders deserve Western support

Amberin Zaman interviews Nikolaos van Dam

27:51

Adam Lucente and Beatrice Farhat

The Al-Monitor Brief

What's next for Lebanon after Gen. Joseph Aoun elected president?

Adam Lucente interviews Beatrice Farhat

8:19

ALM Interviews

Exclusive conversations with Al-Monitor.

See All

Interview

התחזית של אולמרט: ישראל תלך לבחירות שלישיות

Interview

איראן שלחה הודעות בערוץ האחורי של ארה"ב על סיכון למלחמה אזורית רחבה יותר, אומר שר החוץ

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian

Foreign Minister of Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian listens to a question during a press conference with his Saudi counterpart (not pictured) in Tehran, on June 17, 2023.

ALM Memos

Executive briefs that lay out scenarios on key issues.

See All

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

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

השב"כ נדיר, מפגש פלסטיני כאשר החשש מפני מתיחות הרמדאן גובר

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Rina Bassist

מאת Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

ראש ההגנה של צרפת דוחק ל-3 שערים בביקור ישראל

Shahar Yorman/Israeli Defense Ministry

Rina Bassist

מאת Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

האם ארה"ב יכולה ללחוץ על נתניהו לקבל את המדינה הפלסטינית לנורמליזציה ישראל-סעודית?

US President Joe Biden shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they meet on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Sept. 20, 2023.

מאת Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

מה עומד מאחורי שלל התקפות דאעש באירופה?

Adam Lucente

Rosaleen Carroll

מאת Adam Lucente , Rosaleen Carroll

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addresses media after a visit at the site of a knife attack in Solingen, Western Germany, on August 26, 2024.

Our Journalists

See All

אמברין זמן

Chief Correspondent

In Paris, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

בן כספית

Israel Columnist

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

רינה בסיסט-ברושנין

Associate Editor (Israel)

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

אנדרו פרסיליטי

President and Chief Content Officer

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

דאוד כותאב

Palestine Columnist

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

רשא אבו ג'לאל

In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict