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Analysis

Israel fears Trump will clear path for partial Iran deal on nuclear standoff

Israel is concerned that a limited American strike on Iran, followed by negotiations, would lead to a partial nuclear deal that excludes the ballistic missile and proxy issues.

By Ben Caspit

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

Lebanon FM says Israel may strike Beirut airport in war with Hezbollah

Lebanon’s top diplomat said Beirut has received warnings that Israel would strike the country’s airport in a war with Hezbollah as the specter of a military confrontation between the group’s ally, Iran, and the United States looms.

Lebanon

Iran’s IRGC tests new weapons as second US aircraft carrier nears region

The drill was at least the third conducted by Iranian forces in the past two weeks.

Iran

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is being received by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of State of Qatar Muhammad bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi at King Hammad International Airport, as he arrives in Qatar on two day official visit, on Feb. 23, 2026.

In Qatar, Pakistan’s Sharif seeks to bolster trade ties, woo foreign capital

The South Asian country is seeking to attract international investment as it recovers from a severe economic crisis.

Qatar

Narendra Modi, India's prime minister, speaks during a joint news conference with Shinzo Abe, Japan's prime minister, not pictured, at Abe's official residence in Tokyo, Japan October 29, 2018. Kiyoshi Ota/Pool via Reuters

Indian PM Modi to visit Israel February 25-26

Reuters

Latest News

Turkey to repatriate its ISIS fighters from Iraq as jihadis escalate Syria attacks

Women and children seen inside al-Hol camp, amongst them some 6,200 women and children from around 40 nationalities, and including relatives of suspected Islamic State jihadists in the desert region of Hasakah province on Jan. 25, 2026 in Al Hasakah, Syria.

Turkey

US pulls non-essential embassy staff from Lebanon as Iran tensions rise

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

US envoy Barrack oversees Chevron deal in Iraq amid Iran influence row

Iraq

Here is what to know about Kuwait-Iraq maritime dispute

Kuwait

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US imposes cyber-related sanctions on Russian, UAE individuals and entities

Reuters

FILE PHOTO: The Israeli national flag flutters as apartments are seen in the background in the Israeli settlement of Efrat in the Israeli-occupied West Bank August 18, 2020. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/File Photo

US to offer passport services in West Bank settlement for first time

Reuters

An oil tanker is seized by U.S. forces, Pentagon says, in this screengrab from a video released February 24, 2026. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.

US forces seize third sanctioned oil tanker in Indian Ocean, Pentagon says

Reuters

Palestinians push a cart past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the two-year Israeli offensives, in Gaza City, February 17, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa

Aid groups petition Israel's top court to halt suspension of some NGOs in Gaza

Reuters

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On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Most Iranians would reject US deal, fearing it enables regime survival, says Hamidreza Azizi

Hamidreza Azizi joins Amberin Zaman

29:08

The Al-Monitor Brief

Is US-Iran energy cooperation possible as nuclear talks, potential strikes loom?

Sam Wendel joins Adam Lucente

10:37

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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Interview

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.

Analysis

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Analysis

Why Turkey’s exclusion from Gaza force may be a strategic blessing

ANKARA, TURKEY - JANUARY 21: Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to MPs at his party's group meeting in the Turkish parliament on January 21, 2026 in Ankara, Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is among world leaders that have been invited by United States President Donald Trump, to join the Gaza Board of Peace, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was also included as an appointed member. (Photo by Serdar Ozsoy/Getty Images)

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Iran scrambles to shape endgame amid growing US military pressure

(EDITOR'S NOTE: This Handout image was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images' editorial policy.) In this handout photo obtained from the U.S. Defence Department, Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) sails alongside Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121) and Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE 7) in the Arabian Sea, Feb. 6, 2026. According to the U.S. government, the Abraham Lincoln

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

Oil, gas and Iran nuclear impasse: Can business deals sway Trump’s calculus?

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

Israel fears Trump will clear path for partial Iran deal on nuclear standoff

By Ben Caspit

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

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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1:11

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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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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