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U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent

US Treasury issues Hezbollah sanctions, labels group Iran-linked

The sanctions target couriers ferrying Hezbollah funds on commercial flights across the region.

Iranians drive past an anti-US billboard at Enghelab Square in central Tehran, Aug. 3, 2026.

Trump’s Iran ‘economic D-Day’ threat sends oil prices above $94

In a Truth Social post, the president threatened that any country that provides a financial lifeline to Iran will face "tremendous economic consequences."

Iran

Turkey signals restraint as war of words with Israel escalates over Syria

The Turkish president’s top communications aide says Ankara will not be drawn into the Israeli government's “games” as Washington pushes a Turkey-Israel-Syria deconfliction mechanism.

Turkey

King Abdullah II arrives in Beijing, Aug. 20, 2026. Photo from Xinhua/Chen Yehua.

Explainer

King Abdullah visits China as region hedges against US unpredictability

With no end in sight to the war in Iran and an unchecked Israeli policy across the region, the kingdom is hedging against future uncertainty and a less predictable US policy.

China

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian holds a press conference on Aug. 19, 2026.

China slams Trump over economic war on Iran: What to know

China’s once significant oil imports from Iran have been impacted by the war in the region and increasing US sanctions.

Iran

Latest News

Australia summons Israeli ambassador over World Central Kitchen strike: What to know

Israel

Syria’s FM pays Pakistan first visit in 19 years amid new regional alignments

Syria

Houthis claim new strikes on Saudi Arabia after IRGC warning: What to know

Yemen

Interview

Barzani calls for enhanced air defense for Kurdistan Region to counter drone attacks

Masrour Barzani

KRG Prime Minister

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Tunisians protest against President Kais Saied, demanding the restoration of democracy and calling for the release of jailed activists and journalists amid a worsening economic and social crisis, in Tunis, Tunisia, August 20, 2026. REUTERS/Jihed Abidellaoui

Tunisia opposition protests against president amid economic discontent

Reuters

Demonstrators march in Tunis to protest against President Kais Saied, as well as water and electricty shortages

Hundreds of Tunisians protest against government, water shortages

Agence France-Presse

US will impose 'toughest sanctions in history' on Iran, Bessent says

Reuters

A Hezbollah flag during an anti-U.S. and Israeli rally after Iran's missile attack on Israel, in Tehran, Iran, June 7, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

US hits Hezbollah with fresh sanctions, emphasizing ties to Iranian government

Reuters

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On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

A clash between Turkey, Israel ‘only a matter of time’ says Israeli analyst Danny Citrinowicz

Danny Citrinowicz joins Amberin Zaman

20 August, 2:08 PM ET

27:33

Middle East Minute

Iran rejects Trump’s economic warfare threat

Adam Lucente

20 August, 8:34 AM ET

4:06

Middle East Minute

Iran's Ghalibaf visits Iraq

Adam Lucente

19 August, 8:52 AM ET

4:28

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Interview

Israel's deputy FM, Sharren Haskel, bets on a new right after breaking with Netanyahu

Sharren Haskel speaks at an event marking 60 years of diplomatic ties between Germany and Israel hosted by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Berlin, Oct. 16, 2025.

Interview

Resumption in Yemen's oil exports 'possible' with security measures: VP

Deputy chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council Sultan Ali al-Aradah

Interview

PJAK leader mocks Iran’s claim Turkey spiked US Kurdish-backed regime-change plan

A Kurdish fighter from the Iranian Kurdish armed faction Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) stands with his rifle at a site near the Iraqi border with Iran in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, on March 8, 2026.

Siamand Moeini

PJAK Executive Council Member

Interview

Barzani calls for enhanced air defense for Kurdistan Region to counter drone attacks

Masrour Barzani

KRG Prime Minister

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Netanyahu yields to Trump on Gaza, betting Hamas won’t disarm

Ohad Zwigenberg / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

RSF turns to drones, new fronts as Sudan battlefield pressure grows

View of some wreckage after the Rapid Support Forces targeted several civilian facilities in Al-Rahad Abu Dakna, one of the largest cities in North Kordofan, on the national highway linking Kosti and el-Obeid, July 25, 2026.

By Rosaleen Carroll

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

Analysis

Inside Netanyahu's bet on divided opposition to secure another term

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

Analysis

How failing US-Iran diplomacy is giving way to fresh confrontation

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Inside US-Israel fault lines on Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey

July 29, 2026

59:39

Trump says US poised to drop Syria from terror blacklist

July 8, 2026

0:22

Deciphering the US-Iran deal: What comes next?

June 23, 2026

1:02:22

How the Iran war is reshaping energy markets

May 20, 2026

1:00:30

Iran War at One Month: Outlook and Implications

April 1, 2026

1:04

Are the US and Iran closer to war or a deal?

February 24, 2026

0:59

After years abroad, Iraq’s Christians weigh returning home

February 10, 2026

3:39

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

May 23, 2025

1:38

Plestia Alaqad on Gaza and South Lebanon

April 1, 2025

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Vision Golfe 2024 - Mastering Mega events in the GCC from a Sports Perspective

June 4, 2024

34:36

The Syria Strategy Project: Panel one

March 18, 2024

3:42:49

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Past

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

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

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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