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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) shakes hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prior to a meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Feb. 20, 2019.

Analysis

India's Modi visits Saudi Arabia, seeks to boost trade route to counter China

India's largely transactional relationship with Saudi Arabia has moved beyond oil sales to a more strategic and closer partnership.

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks to AFP during an interview at the Iranian consulate in Jeddah on March 7, 2025. Iran will not resume negotiations with the United States on its nuclear programme while President Donald Trump applies his "maximum pressure" policy, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told AFP during the interview. (Photo by Amer HILABI / AFP) (Photo by AMER HILABI/AFP via Getty Images)

Araghchi to visit China ahead of US-Iran technical talks: What to know

Araghchi’s visit to China follows weeks of trilateral coordination between Iran, Russia and China on the nuclear issue, including a joint condemnation of unilateral sanctions.

China

A worshiper waves the flag of Argentina as Pope Francis arrives for the weekly general audience on June 5, 2019 at St. Peter's square in the Vatican. (Photo by Vincenzo PINTO / AFP) (Photo credit should read VINCENZO PINTO/AFP via Getty Images)

Pope Francis, voice for Middle East peace and first to visit Gulf, dies at 88

Pope Francis died on Monday after serving as pontiff for 11 years, advocating for human rights and inclusion in the Middle East and beyond.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Feature

Nightlife rocks Raqqa as Syria’s Islamist leaders navigate power

A reopened nightclub in Raqqa spotlights the uneasy balance Syria’s new Islamist-led government is striking between ideology and public life.

By Amberin Zaman

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

US President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on April 3, 2025, in Washington.

White House denies staffer Merav Ceren’s ties to Israeli defense ministry: What to know

Ceren previously worked for the US Senate, and the administration downplayed reports of her past connection to the Israeli government.

United States

Latest News

First Syria delegation under Sharaa visits US, will attend IMF meetings: What to know

Syria

Middle East churches, Al-Azhar, leaders mourn Pope Francis

Pope Francis is welcomed at Presidential Palace on Feb. 4, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Lebanon

Francis: radical leader who broke the papal mould

Francis was the first pope from the Americas and from the southern hemisphere

Agence France-Presse

Turkey’s Simsek tours US for IMF, WB summits, Treasury Secretary meeting

Turkey

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Israel continued to strike the Gaza Strip on Tuesday as negotiators sought again to secure a new ceasefire

Hamas team heads to Cairo for Gaza talks as Israel strikes kill 26

Agence France-Presse

A throne used by Pope Francis during his March 2021 tour of Iraq is pictured at the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Iraq's predominantly Christian town of Qaraqosh, Nineveh province

Bells toll for Francis in jihadist-scarred Iraq

Agence France-Presse

On his visit to Mosul on March 7, 2021, Pope Francis Pope Francis prayed for the victims of war outside the ruined centuries-old Al-Tahera (Immaculate Conception) Church

Iraq's top Shiite cleric says Pope Francis sought peace

Agence France-Presse

Lawyer Samir Dilou: 'They still haven't told us how the defendants conspired against the state'

Lawyers denounce 'fabricated' Tunisia trial of opposition

Agence France-Presse

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The Al-Monitor Brief

Will the Trump administration reduce US troops in Syria?

Adam Lucente interviews Jared Szuba

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On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

What do the mass protests mean for future of Turkey & Erdogan?

Amberin Zaman interviews Gonul Tol and Lisel Hintz

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The Al-Monitor Brief

Middle East stock markets, Gulf oil rebound after Trump tariff decision, but will it last?

Adam Lucente interviews Sam Wendel

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ALM Interviews

Exclusive conversations with Al-Monitor.

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Interview

Syria's Kurds to demand federalism in tactical push for decentralization

Mohammed Ismail

President of the Kurdistan National Council

Interview

Israel's renewed Gaza strikes put last living US hostage at risk, family warns

Adi Alexander (C), father of Edan Alexander, attends a US House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia roundtable with family members of individuals being held hostage by Hamas, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on Nov. 29, 2023.

Interview

In break with Netanyahu, Olmert urges Israel to recognize Syria’s Sharaa, open dialogue

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert speaks during a briefing on US President Donald Trump's Mideast peace plan on February 11, 2020 in New York. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas told the UN Security Council that the world should reject President Donald Trump's Middle East plan, which he said would limit Palestinian sovereignty in a "Swiss cheese" deal. "We reject the Israeli-American plan," which "throws into question the legitimate rights of the Palestinians," Abbas said, brandishing a large map of

Interview

Ayalon: Netanyahu firing Shin Bet chief to shield inner circle from Qatar probe

Ami Ayalon, a candidate for the Israeli Labor Party leadership, arrives to vote in the second and decisive round of party primaries on June 12, 2007, in Geva Carmel, northern Israel.

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

With SDF in sight, Turkey assesses gains as Trump eyes Syria withdrawal

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Under US pressure, can Lebanon disarm Hezbollah without Iran's green light?

Teargas fumes erupt during clashes between supporters of the Lebanese Shiite Islamist movement Hezbollah and the Lebanese Army amidst a Hezbollah-organised rally to block the road to Beirut International Airport over a decision to bar two Iranian flights from landing there, in Beirut on February 15, 2025. An AFP correspondent said tear gas was fired to disperse crowds on February 15 after again blocking amidst calls by the Iran-backed group for a sit-in. (Photo by IBRAHIM AMRO / AFP) (Photo by IBRAHIM AMRO/

By Dario Sabaghi

Analysis

Why low oil prices under Trump are unlikely to curb Middle East output

Excess flammable gasses burning from gas flares at the Havana oil field, west of the multi-ethnic northern Iraqi city of Kirku, Oct. 17, 2017.

By Jack Dutton

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

Analysis

India's Modi visits Saudi Arabia, seeks to boost trade route to counter China

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

ALM Events

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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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