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Soldiers walk past a parked car as Syrian government forces make their way to the city of Hasakeh in northeastern Syria on Jan. 20, 2026.

Syria’s Kurds accept sweetened ceasefire deal as US envoy Barrack declares SDF obsolete

The ceasefire follows intense clashes and a rapid Syrian military advance in the Kurdish-held northeast, amid concerns over ISIS prisoners.

Syria

People attend a pro-government rally on Jan. 12, 2026, in Tehran, Iran.

Iran ramps up crackdown, vows 'to cut off hand' that threatens Khamenei

Iran doubled down on the narrative that the protesters were "Israel-linked mercenaries," as international calls grew for the regime's accountability after its bloody crackdown on the unrest.

Iran

President Donald Trump takes questions from the media during a press briefing on Jan. 20, 2026, in Washington.

Trump praises Syria's Sharaa after truce reached with SDF

The Trump administration’s Syria envoy said Tuesday that Washington believed Damascus could handle the country’s continued fight against ISIS, signaling a major shift in the US' policy toward the Kurdish forces.

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

A protester holds up a portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a demonstration near the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad, on Jan. 16, 2026.

Analysis

Israel assesses Iran protest wave over, regrets not targeting Khamenei

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu might have influenced the US decision not to strike Tehran, but several Israeli experts believe that persuading US President Trump to hold back constitutes a generational tragedy.

By Ben Caspit

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

Members of the Syrian Kurdish Asayish security forces gather at the Kurdish-run al-Hol camp, which holds relatives of suspected Islamic State (IS) group fighters in the northeastern Hasakeh governorate, on April 18, 2025, as the Syrian Democratic Forces mount a security campaign against IS "sleeper cells" in the camp.

US military negotiates handover of Syria's ISIS prisons as Kurds withdraw

The US military has largely stood down as Syrian government forces moved into Kurdish-held areas of northeast Syria, raising concerns about ethnic violence and the security of prisons holding ISIS detainees.

By Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Latest News

Qatari, Swiss firms to invest $2.7B in Libya's Misrata port: What to know

Loading docks at the port of Libya's northwestern city of Misrata during a ceremony marking the completion of the first phase of the Misrata Free Zone project, on June 25, 2022.

Qatar

Somalia, Qatar sign defense pact after Mogadishu scraps UAE deals: What to know

Somalia

Trump demands end to clashes with Kurds in call with Syria's Sharaa

Syria

Interview

Saudi Arabia keeps doors open to US, China in critical minerals race

Bandar Alkhorayef

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources

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Trump says 'you got to let the UN continue' when asked about so-called 'Board of Peace'

Reuters

FILE PHOTO: Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), outlines his priorities as a candidate for United Nations Secretary-General during an event framing his bid around diplomacy, sustainable development and international cooperation, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, December 22, 2025. REUTERS/Mariana Nedelcu/File Photo

Standoff with Iran over inspections cannot go on forever, IAEA chief says

Reuters

The UN says new language is needed to describe the crisis state of the world's water basins and aquifers

UN report declares global state of 'water bankruptcy'

Agence France-Presse

Mitra Hejazipour is living in exile in France after being expelled from the Iranian team

'Hard to sleep' during Iran protests, says exiled chess champion

Agence France-Presse

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Iran protests: What’s at stake for US, Middle East as Trump deliberates?

Adam Lucente interviews Jared Szuba, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Rina Bassist, Ezgi Akin, Rosaleen Carroll

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On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

As violent protests continue to rock Iran, country's long-reigning clerical regime has never looked as vulnerable

Amberin Zaman interviews Christopher de Bellaige

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The Al-Monitor Brief

South Yemen leader skips Riyadh talks as government advances: Implications for Saudi-UAE rift

Adam Lucente interviews Francesco Schiavi

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Yadlin: Israel’s regime-change goal in Iran remote without US 'boots on the ground'

Amos Yadlin

Former head of Israel's Military Intelligence Directorate

Interview

Gaza calm could revive East Med Forum, Israel-Jordan projects: Cohen

Eli Cohen

Israeli Energy Minister

Interview

Top Syrian Kurdish official Foza Yusuf says war with Damascus lose-lose for all

Foza Yusuf

Top Syrian Kurdish official

Interview

Saudi Arabia keeps doors open to US, China in critical minerals race

Bandar Alkhorayef

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources

Analysis

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Analysis

Turkey braces for Iran fallout: Trade disruptions, refugees and shifting geopolitics

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (R) speaks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (L) during the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul, on June 21, 2025.

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Iran’s economic failure leaves regime exposed as new shocks promise turmoil

A shop owner counts Iranian banknotes at a store in the capital Tehran on Jan. 7, 2026.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

How Iran’s protests are reshaping unrest in Sistan-Baluchistan

A Baluch Iranian man walks in Zahedan, in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan, on Dec. 18, 2025.

By Sabena Siddiqui

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

Analysis

Israel assesses Iran protest wave over, regrets not targeting Khamenei

By Ben Caspit

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

Amberin Zaman, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Danny Makki, Joyce Karam in a virtual discussion on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to Washington

Syria's Sharaa in Washington

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Iraqis prepare to head to the polls

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Amberin Zaman Reports from Damascus

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Elizabeth Hagedorn Reporting from UNGA in New York

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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

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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 Live Journalism

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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