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As Hezbollah vows to defend Iran, Lebanon braces for potential spillover

Lebanon once again finds itself preparing for Hezbollah’s involvement in a looming US-Iranian military confrontation.

DENMARK-NORWAY-US-FRANCE-NATO-ARMY-DEFENCE-EXERCISE Picture taken on September 24, 2025 from the French Navy frigate Bretagne shows F-18 fighter jets on the deck of the the world's largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford as both ships are taking part in the NATO Neptune Strike 2025 exercise in the North Sea. According to NATO, more than 10,000 sailors, soldiers, aviators and marines from 13 allied nations took part in the large-scale multinational enhanced Vigilance Activity, running from September 22 to

US readies warships, jets, tankers for potential weekslong Iran war

Pentagon assembles its largest Middle East strike force since 2003, adding F-35s, F-22s, tankers, electronic-warfare and command planes plus a second carrier.

United States

Members of the Israeli security forces check the apparent remains of an Iranian ballistic missile lying on the ground in the Golan Heights, Northern Israel, on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (Photo by Michael Giladi / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by MICHAEL GILADI/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel steps up Iran war preparations, keeps plans within small inner circle

The Israeli military has not yet changed its current guidance for the civilian population.

Israel

A general view taken on April 4, 2014, shows oil tanker Morning Glory, during the unloading of oil in the Libyan seaport of Zawiya.

Turkey backs Libya in legal challenge to Greece-Chevron offshore deal

Ankara is engaging Libyan authorities in challenging the Greece-Chevron deal, a Turkish official said.

Turkey

Iraqis raise their flags during a protest at the entrance to the Hanging Bridge, one of the entrances to the Green Zone in Baghdad on Jan. 28, 2026.

In letter, US lays out 7 demands for next Iraqi PM, with emphasis on Iran

The Trump administration is pressing Baghdad on Iranian influence and the nomination of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, with Iraq's top diplomat claiming the US stipulations include a "hint" toward potential sanctions.

Iraq

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Iran, Russia hold naval drills as Araghchi briefs Saudi FM on nuclear talks

Iran

Trump touts pledges of troops, billions for Gaza at Board of Peace summit

US President Donald Trump attends the inaugural meeting of the "Board of Peace" at the US Institute of Peace in Washington, DC, on Feb. 19, 2026.

Palestine

Airlines cancel flights amid fears of US military action in Iran: What to know

Iran

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FILE PHOTO: Tunisia's President Kais Saied attends his swearing-in ceremony for his second term at the parliament in Tunis, Tunisia October 21, 2024. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi/File Photo

Tunisia jails lawmaker for eight months for mocking president

Reuters

FILE PHOTO: Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov speaks during a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov following a meeting of the Boards of the Foreign Ministries of Russia and Belarus in Moscow, Russia November 25, 2025. Alexander Nemenov/Pool via REUTERS/ File Photo

Belarus, issued rare invitation to Board of Peace, says it received no visas

Reuters

Sudanese people gather to break their fast on the first day of Ramadan

War-weary Sudanese celebrate as Ramadan returns to Khartoum

Agence France-Presse

FILE PHOTO: U.S President Donald Trump, Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto, Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama, Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Cabinet Member, and Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi attend the inaugural Board of Peace meeting at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 19, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo

Factbox-Contributions for Gaza from Board of Peace members

Reuters

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Turkey’s Erdogan in Ethiopia as Horn of Africa diplomacy heats up

Ezgi Akin joins Adam Lucente

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The Al-Monitor Brief

What’s next for Israel, US-Iran talks after Trump-Netanyahu meeting?

Ben Caspit joins Adam Lucente

20:47

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Iran’s clerical regime can reform itself — provided Khamenei goes, says Iranian historian Arash Azizi

Arash Azizi joins Amberin Zaman

28:36

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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.

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Egyptians in for another expensive Ramadan despite recovering economy

An Egyptian vendor fills dates for a customer at a market in Cairo's central Sayyida Zeinab district on Feb. 12, 2026, as Muslims prepare for the holy fasting month of Ramadan, which begins early next week.

By Jack Dutton

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

Analysis

Israel concerned Iran trying to buy time but sees US strikes as still possible

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

Can Maliki overcome Trump opposition to reclaim Iraq’s PM post?

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki delivers a speech during a campaign rally for the State of Law Coalition ahead of the country's parliamentary elections in Baghdad on Nov. 7, 2025.

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Analysis

Military posturing alongside fragile diplomacy: What’s next for US-Iran talks?

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (3rd L) and Switzerland's Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis (2nd R) attend a bilateral meeting between Switzerland and Iran during a second round of US-Iranian talks with Washington pushing Tehran to make a deal to limit its nuclear program, in Geneva on Feb. 17, 2026.

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

Saudi Arabia names new investment minister as Vision 2030 funding lags

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Iraqi Christian man in dark blue sweater sitting in an office

After years abroad, Iraq’s Christians weigh returning home

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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

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Al-Monitor's Amberin Zaman inside an abandoned Russian military base in Qamishli, Syria

Inside Russia's abandoned military base in Northeast Syria

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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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