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President Donald Trump, joined by Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) and other lawmakers, holds up an executive order after signing a series of bills related to California’s vehicle emissions standards during an event in the East Room of the White House on June 12, 2025 in Washington, DC.

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Last Updated: June 30, 2025, 6:22 pm

Trump signs executive order ending decades-old Syria sanctions

The sweeping directive unwinds layers of sanctions but maintains Syria's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Syria

US Air Force F-35A performs during an exhibition flight demonstration as part of the 55th edition of the International Paris Air Show (Salon international de l'aeronautique et de l'espace - SIAE) at the ParisLe Bourget Airport, in Le Bourget, north of Paris on June 19, 2025. (Photo by Roy ISSA / AFP) (Photo by ROY ISSA/AFP via Getty Images)

US ambassador to Turkey says F-35 issue to be resolved 'by year-end'

The new US ambassador to Ankara says that Congress is open to taking a fresh look at the F-35 issue.

Turkey

Aviation Ordnancemen assigned to "The Swordsmen" of Fighter Squadron Thirty Two (VF-32) transfer 2,000-pound Joint Directional Attack Munition (JDAMs).

US approves over $500M arms sale to Israel ahead of Netanyahu visit

The State Department has greenlit $500 million worth of JDAM guidance kits for Israeli bombs, as at least 80 people were reportedly killed by Israeli military gunfire and airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Monday.

Israel

Huawei explores Egypt partnership as electricity minister visits China

Egypt's electricity and renewable energy minister met with a range of high-level officials and business leaders while on a visit to the Asian country over the past week.

Egypt

CORRECTION / A picture taken in Riyadh shows the sign in Arabic of an Aramco gas station on the outskirts of the Saudi capital Riyadh on November 5, 2024. Energy giant Saudi Aramco reported a 15 percent year-on-year drop in third quarter profit on November 5, 2024, citing low oil prices. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP) / "The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Fayez Nureldine has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: changing the second phrase to refer to Saudi

Saudi PIF reports 60% profit drop as inflation, low oil prices bite

The PIF said that the impairments were mainly related to changes in operational plans and increases in budgeted costs.

Saudi Arabia

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Iran’s rial falls by 3% as Tehran grapples with war aftermath

Iran

Jordan refuses to play Israel in FIBA Basketball World Cup: What to know

Jordan

Israel weighs Gaza ceasefire, Abraham Accords expansion as Dermer heads to Washington

Israel

Wildfires spread across Turkey’s tourism hub Izmir amid regionwide heat wave

Turkey

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US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 7, 2025. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in Washington on Monday to meet Donald Trump, whom he will likely ask for a reprieve from US tariffs while seeking further backing on Iran and Gaza.

Netanyahu to visit White House as Gaza truce pressure mounts

Agence France-Presse

A woman walks past a billboard in Tel Aviv that displayed in Tel Aviv thar promotes regional peace with leaders of the region including of Syria

Trump dismantles Syria sanctions program as Israel ties eyed

Agence France-Presse

Iranian authorities are seeking to make up for their own failings in the conflict, activists say

Iran unleashes 'wave of repression' after Israel war: activists

Agence France-Presse

Police are studying videos of commebts by Bobby Vylan of British duo Bob Vylan

Kneecap, Bob Vylan Glastonbury sets spark police probe and global criticism

Agence France-Presse

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The Al-Monitor Brief

Is Iran interested in regional nuclear cooperation as US talks hang in balance?

Adam Lucente interviews Andrew Parasiliti

10:52

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Iran was battered by Israel and US, but its regime is intact as Iranians rally around flag, says Vali Nasr

Amberin Zaman interviews Vali Nasr

36:16

The Al-Monitor Brief

What’s next for Middle East, Trump after Israel-Iran ceasefire?

Adam Lucente interviews Jared Szuba

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Iran open to regional consortium, enriched uranium transfer in US nuclear talks

Amir Saeid Iravani

Permanent Representative of Iran to the UN

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Amos Yadlin: Israel's goal to enable Trump to reach better Iran deal than 2015

Amos Yadlin

Former head of Israeli military intelligence

Interview

US believes Syria’s Sharaa at risk of assassination, Trump envoy says

Tom Barrack

US special envoy for Syria

Interview

Former French PM says Trump has ‘immense opportunity’ in Mideast

Dominique de Villepin

Former French prime minister

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Kuwait's heatwaves, high demand strain fragile power grid: What to know

The sun sets behind overhead power lines in Kuwait City as the Kuwaiti Ministry of Electricity requested that citizens ration their electricity usage at peak times due to outages, on June 19, 2024.

By Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Analysis

Dbeibeh’s militia gambit: Power consolidation or prelude to more Libya chaos?

Libyan security forces stand guard at the entrance of Abu Salim Zoo as workers carry out maintance work in the capital Tripoli on May 28, 2025. From May 12 to 15, the Libyan capital was rocked by fighting between an armed group aligned with the Tripoli-based government and factions it has sought to dismantle. Relative calm has since returned, but the situation remains highly volatile as calls grow for the resignation of Dbeibah (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

Analysis

With Iran in decline, can Israel and Turkey align on Syria deconfliction?

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Turkish House.

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Egypt weathers Israel-Iran war blow as energy woes strain economic revival

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

A view of the west Cairo natural gas electrical power station on the Giza skyline, Jan. 13, 2022.

Al-Monitor chief correspondent Amberin Zaman interviews H.E. Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

The Future of Energy and Power in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

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1:38:51

Al-Monitor's State Department Correspondent Elizabeth Hagedorn stands on a balcony in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia reporting on President Trump's trip to the Gulf.

President Trump's Visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE

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Plestia Alaqad on Gaza and South Lebanon

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US investor Steve Witkoff attends the last day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 18, 2024.

Who is Trump’s new Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff?

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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

Past Live Journalism

AI, innovation & global growth: Dr. Marwan Al-Zarouni & Dr. Alaa Murabit speak at event in Washington

Al-Monitor Global Institute hosted Dr. Marwan Al-Zarouni, chief AI officer at Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism and CEO of the Dubai Blockchain Center, alongside Dr. Alaa Murabit, senior advisor at 500 Global, for a high-level conversation on how AI is accelerating innovation and transforming global economic development.

Washington, DC

April 23, 2025 16:00 EDT

Past Live Journalism

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

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