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

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers a speech after a signing ceremony with Libyan Government of National Unity prime minister at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on April 12, 2021.

Analysis

In Libya, maritime dispute could complicate Turkey’s backing of US unity push

Turkey and the US increasingly share an interest in stabilizing Libya through a Tripoli-Benghazi power-sharing deal, though their alignment may hinge on the durability of any such deal and Washington's stance on Ankara's disputed 2019 maritime agreement.

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Farmers roast harvested wheat using fire in a field on the outskirts of Aleppo, Syria, on May 18, 2026.

Analysis

How Syria’s wheat fields turned into first battleground over reconstruction

A battle over wheat prices could be the first political contest over who reconstruction will benefit.

By Haddon Barth

An employee of the Ukrainian SkyFall company checks a P1-Sun interceptor drone before a test flight at an undisclosed location in Ukraine on March 19, 2026,

Analysis

Why Kuwait is turning to Ukraine for its next air-defense lessons

The activation of a long-pending defense agreement reflects Kuwait's search for new operational expertise after months of Iranian missile and drone attacks while highlighting Ukraine's growing role in Gulf security.

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

A man walks past the flags of the countries attending the Gulf Cooperation Council summit at Bayan palace in Kuwait City on Dec. 5, 2017.

Analysis

How Iran war shaped divergent paths to security among GCC states

The Iran war left the Gulf more fragmented than united, with competing security strategies replacing any prospect of a common regional defense.

By Sabena Siddiqui

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

An aerial view shows port of the western Syrian port city of Latakia, on Dec. 18, 2024.

Analysis

Can a UAE-backed Syria-Iraq corridor become Gulf's next trade route?

On June 26, Emirati and Syrian officials discussed plans for a logistics corridor connecting Syrian ports to Gulf markets via Iraq.

By Jack Dutton

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Latest News

Interview

Ayman Odeh says Arab parties could back Bennett or Eisenkot to block Netanyahu

Ayman Odeh

Head of the Knesset's Hadash-Ta'al faction

Analysis

Iran set to bury Khamenei, but his hard-line legacy may endure

Iranians walk past a billboard bearing a picture of Iran's slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei ahead of his funeral in Tehran on July 3, 2026. Iranian leaders began paying their respects on July 3 before the coffin of the country's late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, killed in the US-Israeli strikes that triggered the Middle East war, as Tehran prepared for a vast funeral. Khamenei's body arrived at Tehran's Grand Mosalla on July 3 ahead of ceremonies which are expected to draw millions. (Photo by AFP via Getty

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

As US-Iran talks falter, Israel views war outcome as 'total strategic failure’

Motorists drive past a billboard bearing a picture of Iran's slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei, ahead of his funeral in Tehran on July 3, 2026. Iranian leaders began paying their respects on July 3 before the coffin of the country's late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, killed in the US-Israeli strikes that triggered the Middle East war, as Tehran prepared for a vast funeral. Khamenei's body arrived at Tehran's Grand Mosalla on July 3 ahead of ceremonies which are expected to draw millions. (Photo by AFP via Ge

By Ben Caspit

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

As Trump touts nuclear progress, US-Iran talks show little momentum

Iran

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F1 boss Stefano Domenicali hopes to insert one of the cancelled GPs in between Baku and Singapore in October

F1 boss Domenicali hopes to restore cancelled Gulf grand prix

Agence France-Presse

French President Emmanuel Macron looks on during a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (not pictured) at the Maximos Mansion in Athens, Greece, April 25, 2026. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas

French President Macron to visit Syria, Syrian presidency says

Reuters

Qatar says all maritime activities will resume immediately

Reuters

A mourner holds a portrait of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 in Israeli and U.S. airstrikes, during a public farewell ceremony to pay their respects, at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla, in Tehran, Iran July 4, 2026. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem Foreign media in Iran operate under guidelines set by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, which regulates press activity and permissions

Three sons of Iran's slain leader Khamenei appear at funeral, not his successor

Reuters

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Middle East Minute

Syria FM says Damascus open to talking to Hezbollah

2 July, 8:36 AM ET

3:22

Middle East Minute

Syria’s Sharaa names appointees to parliament as US and Iran talk Hormuz

1 July, 8:48 AM ET

3:27

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Turkey’s World Cup meltdown is a milestone in unraveling of Erdogan’s reign, says Selim Koru

Selim Koru joins Amberin Zaman

25 June, 3:19 PM ET

22:16

Interviews

Exclusive conversations with AL-MONITOR.

See All

Interview

Saudi labor localization will take ‘generation or two': Armada CEO

A student attends a training seminar at the Tourism Ministry Training center in the city of Riyadh on August 30, 2022.

Olivier Badard

CEO of Armada Holding

Interview

US-Egypt fund makes case for economic statecraft in hard power era

A worker counts banknotes after filling up the tank of a vehicle at a petrol station in Giza on March 10, 2026.

Cornelius Queen

Senior Vice President of the Egyptian-American Enterprise Fund

Interview

Franco-Gulf investment holds firm despite Iran war, French official says

French Trade & Invest Commissioner for United Arab Emirates and Middle East and Business France's regional director for the Middle East Axel Baroux. — Business France

Axel Baroux

France’s trade and investment commissioner for the UAE and Middle East

Interview

Ayman Odeh says Arab parties could back Bennett or Eisenkot to block Netanyahu

Ayman Odeh

Head of the Knesset's Hadash-Ta'al faction

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

How Syria’s wheat fields turned into first battleground over reconstruction

By Haddon Barth

Analysis

In Libya, maritime dispute could complicate Turkey’s backing of US unity push

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Can a UAE-backed Syria-Iraq corridor become Gulf's next trade route?

By Jack Dutton

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Analysis

Why Kuwait is turning to Ukraine for its next air-defense lessons

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Joyce Karam and Ariane Tabatabai in conversation on the latest US-Iran memorandum of understanding

Deciphering the US-Iran deal: What comes next?

June 23, 2026