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

Israel military vehicles drive along the border fence with Syria, near the town of Majdal Shams, in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, July 17, 2025.

Analysis

'You can’t embark on new war every few days': Israel-US daylight grows over Syria Druze, Sharaa

The Israeli prime minister is being pressed by the Trump administration to avoid escalating the situation in Syria but also by Israeli Druze to protect their brethren there.

By Ben Caspit

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

As Bedouins mobilize, clashes with Druze resume in Syria’s Suwayda: What to know

Despite a ceasefire agreement, fighting involving the government, Bedouin clans and Druze fighters spiraled on Friday.

Syria

Analysis

Trump’s Syria gamble tested by unrest in Suwayda

The recent bloodshed in southern Syria is testing the Trump administration’s policy toward the war-torn country and complicating hopes for its potential normalization with Israel.

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

As Suwayda agreement takes shape, here are key Druze players in Syria

The Syrian Druze community has three prominent religious leaders, as well as a number of armed groups that continue to operate in the area after the civil war.

Syria

Over 10 years after ISIS takeover, Iraq's Mosul Airport reopens: What to know

The airport has been out of operation since the fall of the northern Iraqi city to the Islamic State in 2014.

Iraq

Latest News

Israel’s defense chief to visit Pentagon following Syria, Iran strikes: What to know

Israel

Syria's Sharaa says protecting Druze citizens is 'our priority'

FILE PHOTO: Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa looks on as he attends the “Aleppo, Key to Victory” celebration marking Syria’s liberation, in Aleppo, Syria May 27, 2025. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi/File Photo

Mediators present updated Gaza ceasefire proposal to Israel and Hamas, Axios reports

FILE PHOTO: Smoke rises in Gaza after Israeli airstrikes as seen from the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border, July 16, 2025. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo

Analysis

UAE leader visits Turkey, emphasizing shift from rivalry to regional alignment

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomes UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed with official ceremony during the latter’s official visit to Ankara, July 16, 2025.

By Ezgi Akin , Rosaleen Carroll

Subscribe to the Daily Briefing for only $1.67 per month.

The most authoritative roundup for Middle East news everyday in your inbox.

What you get

Daily email with comprehensive regional news coverage
Start with a two-week free trial
Summary of all key insights from our in-country journalists.

Smoke rises as a damaged car remains along a street, as Sweida province has been engulfed by nearly a week of violence triggered by clashes between Bedouin fighters and factions from the Druze, at Sweida governorate, Syria, July 18, 2025. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri

Israel and Syria agree to ceasefire, US ambassador to Turkey says

Reuters

FILE PHOTO: An activist from Palestine Action sprays a military aircraft engine with red paint at RAF Brize Norton, to damage it, in Carterton, Britain, June 20, 2025, in this still image obtained from handout video. The group's action was in protest of British military assistance to Israel, claiming that they, "interrupted Britain's direct participation in the commission of genocide and war crimes across the Middle East", stating on their website. Palestine Action/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

Four pro-Palestinian activists face 2027 trial over UK military base break-in

Reuters

FILE PHOTO: The entrance to the home of murdered Lebanese singer Suzanne Tamim is decorated with her posters during her funeral in Beirut August 4, 2008. Picture taken August 4, 2008. REUTERS/ Mohamed Azakir/File Photo

Egyptian tycoon wins bid to throw out UK lawsuit over singer's murder

Reuters

Libyan ICC war crimes suspect arrested in Germany

Reuters

Featured Newsletters

Editor's choice

Three stories hand-picked by our editorial team.

Stay informed with our daily and weekly newsletters

Read By

See all newsletters

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Why the PKK and its campaign for Kurdish rights are not history

Amberin Zaman interviews Aliza Marcus

41:08

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Will Israel attack Iran again and what can it achieve?

Amberin Zaman interviews Mohsen Milani

22:08

The Al-Monitor Brief

Israel responds to Druze-Bedouin clashes in southern Syria as normalization talks uncertain

Adam Lucente interviews Ben Caspit

14:46

ALM Interviews

Exclusive conversations with Al-Monitor.

See All

Interview

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

Dominique de Villepin

Former French prime minister

Interview

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

Amir Saeid Iravani

Permanent Representative of Iran to the UN

Interview

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

Amos Yadlin

Former head of Israeli military intelligence

Interview

How Red Sea attacks prepared Egypt’s economy for future shocks

Hisham Ezz Al-Arab

CEO, Commercial International Bank

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Trump’s Syria gamble tested by unrest in Suwayda

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

Analysis

UAE leader visits Turkey, emphasizing shift from rivalry to regional alignment

By Ezgi Akin , Rosaleen Carroll

Analysis

Is Sharaa’s Druze crackdown a warning to Syria’s Kurds?

Syrian security forces stand with their guns atop a truck on July 15, 2025, near Suwayda, Syria.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Analysis

'You can’t embark on new war every few days': Israel-US daylight grows over Syria Druze, Sharaa

By Ben Caspit

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

image of Suwayda, Syria with smoke billowing up from an explosion

Suwayda reels from clashes as truce reached

Play Video

0:52

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

Play Video

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

Play Video

1:04

Plestia Alaqad on Gaza and South Lebanon

Play Video

5:00

ALM Events

Convening global leaders in business, policy and media.

See All

Past Live Journalism

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

Our Journalists

See All

Latest News

Subscribe to the Daily Briefing for only $1.67 per month.

What you get

Featured Newsletters

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

Editor's choice

Stay informed with our daily and weekly newsletters

Read By

Podcasts

ALM Interviews

The City Pulse Newsletters

Analysis

Watch

ALM Events

Our Journalists