AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

A group of Peshmergas of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) walks during military training near one of their bases in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, on March 1, 2025.

Analysis

Turkey cautious but unfazed by US plan to mobilize Iranian Kurds against regime

Plans to involve Iranian Kurdish armed groups in the US-Israeli campaign against Tehran raise potential security, ethnic and refugee spillover risks for Turkey, but officials in Ankara appear largely unfazed.

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

ALM Live

Iran names Mojtaba Khamenei, son of slain supreme leader, as successor

All updates are in your local time zone

Analysis

Qatar gas shock roils Middle East energy risk profile amid Iran war

The disruption to energy transportation through the Strait of Hormuz predictably threatens crude prices, but it's natural gas supplies that are shocking the markets.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Artist Erdal Duman's work titled "Whoever Owns the Tank Is Soleiman" takes a dig at power.

Culture

The weight of war: Erdal Duman’s sculptures probe politics of violence

As missiles cross again Middle Eastern skies, Turkish artist Erdal Duman’s brightly colored weapons ask an uncomfortable question: When does war really begin?

Turkey

Plumes of smoke rise following an explosion on March 5, 2026, in Tehran, Iran.

Analysis

Iran’s other battle: The regime’s wartime fight for control at home

Despite US and Israeli bombs dropping from the air, Iran's leadership is imposing a stifling security environment, deploying Basij militias, checkpoints and a constant stream of wartime messaging to prevent regime collapse.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Latest News

Meet Mojtaba Khamenei, hard-liner with IRGC ties, likely Iran’s next supreme leader

Rouzbeh Fouladi / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Iran

Why Israel's looking to Kurds to make gains against Iran regime

Kurdish Peshmerga fighters affiliated with PAK train on Jan. 18, 2026, near Erbil, Iraq.

Israel

Analysis

US war aims murky as Trump eyes role in Iran’s postwar future

President Donald Trump departs following an event celebrating the 2025 MLS Cup in the East Room of the White House on March 5, 2026

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

Analysis

CIA, Mossad bolster Iran’s Kurds as US, Israel seek to ignite military revolt

Osama Al Maqdoni / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

By Ben Caspit

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

Get unlimited access for as little as $2/week.

The most authoritative roundup for Middle East news everyday on site, app and your inbox.

See Offers

Subscriber-Only Benefits

Our Independent Journalism | No agendas. No influences. Just factual stories.
The Daily Briefing | Intelligent, concise insights—delivered daily.
Unlimited Access | Reporting & analysis—without paywalls.

Factbox-Governments' actions in response to oil price surge and the escalating Middle East conflict

Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy shake hands during a press conference after their lunch meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club, in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Ukraine sent drone experts to protect US bases in Jordan, Zelenskiy tells NYT

Reuters

FILE PHOTO: Vehicles queue at a fuel station, as concerns grow over fuel supplies following U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, March 6, 2026. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain/File Photo

Bangladesh shuts universities early to save power amid energy crisis

Reuters

The meeting will 'review the situation in the Gulf from an economic point of view', said France's finance ministry

France to host G7 finance meeting on Mideast

Agence France-Presse

Featured Newsletters

Editor's choice

Three stories hand-picked by our editorial team.

Expert insight on the Middle East—delivered regularly

Read By

See all newsletters

The Al-Monitor Brief

How long can the Gulf protect itself from Iranian strikes?

Francesco Schiavi joins Adam Lucente

17:23

Adam Lucente, Ezgi Akin and Rina Bassist

The Al-Monitor Brief

Middle East at war: Regional observations on Iran, Israel, Turkey and beyond

Rina Bassist, Ezgi Akin and Beatrice Farhat joins Adam Lucente

18:19

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Most Iranians would reject US deal, fearing it enables regime survival, says Hamidreza Azizi

Hamidreza Azizi joins Amberin Zaman

29:08

ALM Interviews

Exclusive conversations with Al-Monitor.

See All

Interview

AI, cybersecurity high on Mideast priorities amid global tech rivalry: Tech Mahindra

A man and woman walk along a promenade overlooking the Burj al-Arab and Dubai skyline on January 4, 2025. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Interview

Treated as 'enemies’: Ahmad Tibi accuses Netanyahu government of indifference to Arab Israeli lives

Ahmad Tibi

Knesset member and Ta'al Party leader

Interview

YPG spokesman: Syrian forces' strategy is to isolate Kurdish towns and cities

Siyamend Ali

YPG spokesman

Interview

Huckabee confirms US-Israel alignment on Iran, says Hamas will disarm 'sooner or later'

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, US President Donald Trump's nominee to be ambassador to Israel, testifies during his Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, March 25, 2025.

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Turkey cautious but unfazed by US plan to mobilize Iranian Kurds against regime

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Iran’s other battle: The regime’s wartime fight for control at home

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

US war aims murky as Trump eyes role in Iran’s postwar future

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

Analysis

Qatar gas shock roils Middle East energy risk profile amid Iran war

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Joyce Karam, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Holly Dagres, and Ali Hashem

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

Play Video

0:59

Saudi Arabia's former and new investment ministers side by side

Saudi Arabia names new investment minister as Vision 2030 funding lags

Play Video

1:11

Iraqi Christian man in dark blue sweater sitting in an office

After years abroad, Iraq’s Christians weigh returning home

Play Video

3:39

Elizabeth Hagdeorn asking Rubio a question about negotiations with the Iranian government after its killing of protesters

Rubio tells Al-Monitor talks with Iran must address ballistic missiles, proxies

Play Video

2:22

ALM Live Journalism

Convening global leaders in business, policy and media.

See All

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

Our Journalists

See All

Latest News

Get unlimited access for as little as $2/week.

Subscriber-Only Benefits

Featured Newsletters

Select your cities and get the latest in the arts, music and entertainment.

Editor's choice

Expert insight on the Middle East—delivered regularly

Read By

Audio

ALM Interviews

The City Pulse Newsletters

Analysis

Watch

ALM Live Journalism

Our Journalists