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Analysis

Syria's Kurds fear new betrayal as Sharaa gears up for Trump meeting

With Sharaa set to meet Trump, Syrian Kurds face uncertainty over their autonomy and future influence.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 23: President of Syria Ahmed al-Shara arrives for the 80th session of the UN’s General Assembly (UNGA) at UN Headquarters on September 23, 2025 in New York City. This year’s theme for the annual global meeting is:“Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights.” Gaza and Ukraine are just two of the global emergencies that world leaders will look to address. (Photo by Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

Analysis

As Trump hosts Sharaa, Israel cautiously seeks Syria security deal

Despite optimism in September, Israel and Syria still have not finalized an American-mediated security agreement.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Leroy Aziz Sane of Galatasaray SK kicks the corner during the match. Galatasaray SK and FK Godo Glimt faced each other at UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3. The match took place in Ali Sami Yen Rams Park Stadium on October 22, 2025. (Photo by Burak Basturk / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by BURAK BASTURK/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Culture

Match-fixing probe shakes Turkey's football as referees, executives detained

The football scandal expanded after the Turkish Football Federation's suspension of referees and assistants amid a nationwide betting probe.

Turkey

Analysis

Plan to bring Syria into US-led coalition brings risks, opportunities for Sharaa

Damascus' entry into the US-led coalition may formalize expanded intelligence sharing on the Islamic State, but military cooperation remains a distant prospect. A US official denied to Al-Monitor there are any current plans to deploy American troops near the capital just yet.

By Jared Szuba

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

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - OCTOBER 26: U.S. President Donald Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (not in frame) at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on October 26, 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Trump is in Malaysia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, and will next travel to Japan, en route to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Analysis

Trump pursues Israeli-Syrian security pact with Sharaa, larger US military footprint

Israelis welcome the US effort but fear losing decision-making power and the ability to protect their interests as the US troop presence in the region looks set to further expand.

By Ben Caspit

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

Latest News

Italy’s Meloni hosts Abbas amid EU Palestinian statehood push: What we know

Palestine

UN Security Council votes to lift sanctions on Syria's Sharaa

Syria

Culture

Egypt recovers 36 ancient artifacts from US including mummy mask: What to know

Egypt

For Arab and Muslim Americans, Mamdani's victory grants seat at table

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 1: Democratic New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani (C) raises his hands during a campaign event with New York City elected officials on November 1, 2025 in the Queens borough of New York City. With only days left in the race for New York City's next mayor, Mamdani remains the front runner against Independent candidate, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. (Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)

United States

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Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets top US diplomat Marco Rubio (R)
on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York on September 22, 2025

Syrian president arrives in US for landmark visit

Agence France-Presse

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump meets Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in this handout released on May 14, 2025. Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY/File Photo

Syria carries out pre-emptive operations against Islamic State cells

Reuters

Jonathan Pollak, an Israeli rights activist who witnessed the incident, stands outside a hospital following an Israeli settlers attack near Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, November 8, 2025. REUTERS/Nidal Eshtayeh

Israeli settlers attack Palestinians, journalists at West Bank olive harvest, witnesses say

Reuters

Israeli hostage families continue to mourn -- here at the funeral of 19-year Corporal Oz Daniel who was killed by Palestinian militants in the October 7, 2023 attacks and whose body was taken to Gaza, as slain captives are returned one by one

Israel identifies latest hostage body, as families await five more

Agence France-Presse

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The Al-Monitor Brief

Hezbollah rejects talks as Israel escalates in Lebanon: View from Beirut

Adam Lucente interviews Beatrice Farhat

12:54

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Why Syria's formal entry to anti-ISIS coalition reduces risk of US troop pullout

Amberin Zaman interviews Barbara Leaf

38:37

The Al-Monitor Brief

China VP Han visits Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar as Beijing’s influence grows

Adam Lucente interviews Rosaleen Carroll

7:41

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Interview

Trump's back channel to Hamas says militants could cede heavy weapons in disarmament deal

Hamas fighters gather at the site of the handing over of two Israeli hostages in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Feb. 22, 2025.

Bishara Bahbah

Founder, Arab Americans for Peace

Culture

Director Cyril Aris on Lebanon’s Oscar submission, trauma and cinema

Interview

Gulf real estate investors choose UK over US amid political instability

Khaled Alanani

Head of real estate finance and investments, Bank of London and The Middle East

Interview

International Red Cross chief says Gaza conflict goes beyond anything he has ever seen

Pierre Krahenbuhl

Director-General of the International Committee

Members of the Red Cross stand amid the rubble of destroyed buildings as heavy machinery operates in the al-Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City on Oct. 27, 2025.

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

As Trump hosts Sharaa, Israel cautiously seeks Syria security deal

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

Plan to bring Syria into US-led coalition brings risks, opportunities for Sharaa

By Jared Szuba

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

Analysis

Trump pursues Israeli-Syrian security pact with Sharaa, larger US military footprint

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

Syria's Kurds fear new betrayal as Sharaa gears up for Trump meeting

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

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

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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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