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A picture taken from a station of Dubai's Palm Monorail shows traffic on a road in Palm Jumeirah on Aug. 28, 2025.

Feature

Cheap oil, tighter finances, wars constrained Mid East economies in 2025

Low oil prices, tighter financial conditions and elevated geopolitical risk hampered growth across much of the Middle East and North Africa this year.

By Jack Dutton

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

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participates in a joint news conference with US President Donald Trump (not seen) in the State Dining Room at the White House on Sept. 29, 2025, in Washington.

Analysis

In 2025, Netanyahu saved his coalition but stalled on Gaza, Iran, Lebanon

With 2025 ending, Israelis are frustrated over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to fully end the Gaza war, solve the Hezbollah problem, reach a deal with Syria or find a way to constructively impact talks on the Iranian nuclear program.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrives for a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York City, on Sept. 22, 2025.

A year on, uncertainty shadows Washington's bet on Syria

The Trump administration has embraced Syria's new leadership, but engagement is being tested by security risks and unresolved questions about Damascus' control.

Syria

Armoured vehicles of the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Forces are deployed outside the US embassy building in Baghdad's Green Zone on June 12, 2025, after an announcement by a US official the previous day that staff levels at the diplomatic mission in Iraq were being reduced over security concerns. Despite reporting progress in earlier rounds of talks between Iran and the United States, tensions have reached a fever pitch this week as Washington moved non-essential staff from bases in the region following US medi

Analysis

After Iraq’s election, what are US priorities for next government?

Washington wants there to be no sanctioned groups in the next Iraqi government, a source told Al-Monitor, as the US and Iran compete for influence.

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

A view of a concrete wall built by Israel near the Blue Line in Maroun al-Ras, Lebanon, on Nov. 13, 2025.

Analysis

France seeks to bolster Lebanon's army through UNIFIL coordination, donor conference

France believes that the key to stabilizing the region is bolstering the Lebanese military so it can regain control over the south of the country.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Latest News

Analysis

Egypt’s $35B Israel gas deal buys time, tests fragile energy partnership

View of Damietta Segas LNG Terminal, in Damietta, Egypt, which is an export terminal belong to Spanish Egyptian Gas Company.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Jet carrying Libyan army chief crashes after departing Ankara

In this photograph taken on Oct. 2, 2018, Gen. Mohammad Ali al-Haddad is pictured in the Libyan capital Tripoli. (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey

Analysis

Can Netanyahu convince Trump to OK strike on Iran’s missile program?

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

Iran currency plunges to historic low amid factional blame game

Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran Iranian 100 rial banknotes.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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Christmas Eve mass at the ancient rock church brings together Antakya's scattered Christian minority

Last Christians gather in ruins of Turkey's quake-hit Antakya

Agence France-Presse

In first Christmas sermon, Pope Leo decries conditions for Palestinians in Gaza

Reuters

Flameless candles are lit for the victims of a mass shooting during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on December 14, in Sydney, Australia, December 20, 2025. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez/File Photo

Christmas celebrations muted at Bondi as Australians grieve after deadly shooting

Reuters

We 'cannot be silenced': Dilek Kaya Imamoglu, the wife of jailed Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu

'We hold onto one another and keep fighting,' says wife of jailed Istanbul mayor

Agence France-Presse

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The Al-Monitor Brief

Turkey’s year 2025 in review: Progress abroad, challenges at home?

Adam Lucente interviews Ezgi Akin

18:03

The Al-Monitor Brief

What’s next for Syria's economy, security after Trump repeals Caesar sanctions?

Adam Lucente interviews Danny Makki

23:50

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

The Saudi-UAE clash: The regional stakes and what Trump can do

Amberin Zaman interviews Joyce Karam

20:47

ALM Interviews

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Interview

Cyprus weighs joining Gaza force but 'not enough clarity' on mission, FM says

Constantinos Kombos

Cypriot Foreign Minister

Interview

UNRWA plans Turkey office to boost Gaza, Syria aid as pledges dip

A boy sits outside the entrance to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) building complex in Gaza City, on Sept. 6, 2025.

Tamara Alrifai

Interview

Can protests in Israel halt Netanyahu's second attempt at judicial overhaul?

Shikma Bressler, an Israeli physicist and one of the leaders of the protest against the government's judicial overhaul.

Interview

Robots can solve UAE construction labor shortage, says Buildroid AI

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Egypt’s $35B Israel gas deal buys time, tests fragile energy partnership

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

France seeks to bolster Lebanon's army through UNIFIL coordination, donor conference

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

After Iraq’s election, what are US priorities for next government?

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Analysis

In 2025, Netanyahu saved his coalition but stalled on Gaza, Iran, Lebanon

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

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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1:00:44

Iraqis prepare to head to the polls

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1:34

Amberin Zaman Reports from Damascus

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Elizabeth Hagedorn Reporting from UNGA in New York

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1:07

ALM Events

Convening global leaders in business, policy and media.

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Past Live Journalism

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

Past Live Journalism

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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