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Saudi Arabia, Israel, Turkey rank in top 20 global military spenders: What to know

Regional military spending saw a significant increase in 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, amid conflicts in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon, though it found that Europe drove the overall hike in global expenditures.

Saudi Arabia

A firefighting helicopter flies through thick clouds of smoke after a deadly explosion at Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas, Iran, on April 27, 2025. The blast, believed to have originated from hazardous chemicals, killed at least 40 people and injured over 1,200, according to local sources. (Photo by Rahim / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by RAHIM/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

As fires rage at Iran's largest port, IAEA team visits Tehran for nuclear talks

The Iranian Foreign Ministry stressed on Monday that the country's right to enrich uranium domestically and the removal of sanctions are nonnegotiable.

Iran

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received President of the Sovereign Council of the Republic of the Sudan General Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan at Cairo International Airport.

Egypt's Sisi hosts Burhan, eyes reconstruction in Sudan: What to know

Egypt’s president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and Sudanese army head Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan met in Cairo for talks on the latest developments in Sudan as Cairo seeks lucrative reconstruction deals in the war-torn country.

Sudan

Iran, Azerbaijan ink 7 MOUs as Pezeshkian visits Baku: What to know

As part of a broader diplomatic thaw, Iran and Azerbaijan have agreed to enhance cooperation in political, economic and security sectors during President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to Baku.

Iran

Turkey detains 52 in second wave of arrests in Imamoglu probe

The main opposition links the detention of more Istanbul municipality employees to the Canal Istanbul project.

Turkey

Latest News

Assad's tycoon cousin, Rami Makhlouf, forms militia on Syria's Alawite coast: What we know

Syria

China’s Sinopec, Saudi Aramco to establish $4B energy venture: What to know

Saudi Arabia

Kuwait renews Shell deal as it seeks to hit 4-million-bpd capacity target

Kuwait

Turkey's Erdogan to meet Meloni in Italy as ties deepen: What to know

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is welcomed by Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni upon arrival at the Borgo Egnazia resort for the G7 Summit hosted by Italy in Apulia region, on June 14, 2024 in Savelletri.

Turkey

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MQ-9 Reaper drones cost around $30 million apiece

US lost seven multi-million-dollar drones in Yemen area since March

Agence France-Presse

An image provided by the US Navy shows the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier transiting the Strait of Gibraltar on November 25, 2024

US warplane falls off aircraft carrier into Red Sea

Agence France-Presse

The UN's World Food Programme (WFP) provides life-saving food aid around the world, including in active conflict zones such as Gaza

UN food, refugee agencies warn of huge cuts after funding losses

Agence France-Presse

The meeting between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Azeri President Ilham Aliyev is a sign of thawing ties

Iranian president visits Azerbaijan as ties warm

Agence France-Presse

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The Al-Monitor Brief

What’s next for Jordan after Muslim Brotherhood ban?

Adam Lucente interviews Aaron Magid

7:30

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Gaza's children bear brunt of Israeli impunity, says Arwa Damon

Amberin Zaman interviews Arwa Damon

22:55

The Al-Monitor Brief

What did we learn from Indian PM Modi’s trip to Saudi Arabia?

Adam Lucente interviews Jennifer Gnana

13:06

ALM Interviews

Exclusive conversations with Al-Monitor.

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Interview

Syria's Kurds to demand federalism in tactical push for decentralization

Mohammed Ismail

President of the Kurdistan National Council

Interview

Israel's renewed Gaza strikes put last living US hostage at risk, family warns

Adi Alexander (C), father of Edan Alexander, attends a US House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia roundtable with family members of individuals being held hostage by Hamas, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on Nov. 29, 2023.

Interview

In break with Netanyahu, Olmert urges Israel to recognize Syria’s Sharaa, open dialogue

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert speaks during a briefing on US President Donald Trump's Mideast peace plan on February 11, 2020 in New York. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas told the UN Security Council that the world should reject President Donald Trump's Middle East plan, which he said would limit Palestinian sovereignty in a "Swiss cheese" deal. "We reject the Israeli-American plan," which "throws into question the legitimate rights of the Palestinians," Abbas said, brandishing a large map of

Interview

Ayalon: Netanyahu firing Shin Bet chief to shield inner circle from Qatar probe

Ami Ayalon, a candidate for the Israeli Labor Party leadership, arrives to vote in the second and decisive round of party primaries on June 12, 2007, in Geva Carmel, northern Israel.

Analysis

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Analysis

Can Egypt’s economic comeback absorb Trump’s global trade shocks?

Motorists wait at a traffic light by the Central Bank of Egypt building in Cairo early on March 4, 2024.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

On Eurofighters, Turkey hedges bets as it awaits Merz's decision in Germany

Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft from the Kuwaiti Air Force fly over during an airshow in Kuwait City, Feb. 25, 2025.

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Can Modi leverage Saudi-China ties to reshape India’s global standing?

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (R) meets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Al Salam Royal Palace, Jeddah, April 22, 2025.

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Analysis

Hussein Sheikh as PLO's first vice president: Palestinian reform or Abbas gesture?

By Rosaleen Carroll

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

Secretary General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Hussein al-Sheikh, gestures as he arrives for the 32nd Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Central Council session in Ramallah on April 23, 2025. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on April 23 urged Hamas to free all hostages in Gaza, saying their captivity provided Israel with "excuses" to attack the territory, as rescuers recovered charred bodies from an Israeli strike. (Photo by Zain JAAFAR / AFP) (Photo by

ALM Events

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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

Past Live Journalism

Iraq PM Sudani speaks at AL-Monitor/US Chamber of Commerce event during UNGA

At an event hosted by AL-Monitor and the US Chamber of Commerce, the prime minister discussed Iraq’s plan to achieve energy independence by 2030 and his desire to drawdown the US military presence in the country.

New York City, NY

September 25, 2024 18:00 EDT

Past Live Journalism

Salon conversation with Turkey's Ambassador to the US Sedat Önal

AL-Monitor hosted the ambassador of Turkey to the United States, Sedat Önal, for an off-the-record discussion on a wide range of topics such as Turkey-US relations, the Gaza war and Turkey's military intervention in Syria. The event was attended by guests from media, private business, and government.

Washington, DC

September 12, 2024 16:00 EDT

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