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Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gestures as he addresses a speech during the Justice and Development Party (AKP), as part of the 8th Ordinary Grand Congress at the Ankara Arena in Ankara, on Feb. 23, 2025.

Turkey’s Erdogan rebukes Syrian Kurds over decentralization calls, but keeps tone mild

The Turkish president's restrained comments hint at an evolving strategy toward Kurdish forces in Syria.

Meet Omer Siddig, Sudan's new foreign minister, former ambassador to China

General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has appointed veteran diplomat Omer Siddig as Sudan's new minister of foreign affairs, filling the role following the dismissal of his predecessor, Ali Youssif, in mid-April.

Sudan

Lebanon’s president, Joseph Aoun, with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, April 20, 2025.

On first state visit, Aoun lauds UAE-Lebanon ties, says ‘past behind us’

The Lebanese president’s visit to the UAE is the first by a head of state in years, as ties between the two countries became increasingly strained during Hezbollah’s growing influence in Lebanon.

Lebanon

An Air Tractor AT-802AF firefighting aircraft drops flame retardant while trying to extinguish a forest fire near the central Israeli town of Bet Shemesh, near Jerusalem on April 23, 2025. (Photo by Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP) (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Live Updates

Wildfire spreads around Jerusalem as Israel asks Italy, Greece for help

Several communities have already been evacuated over the fires blazing in the environs of Jerusalem and along Highway 1.

Israel

Turkey convicts Swedish journalist of insulting Erdogan with terror trial next

Joakim Medin will remain behind bars awaiting prosecution on terror-related charges that press freedom groups say aim to silence the free press.

Turkey

Latest News

Feature

For Syria’s minorities, life under Kurds remains safest bet

A woman reaches to light her candle from another held by deacon during the Christmas morning mass at the Syriac Orthodox Church of Virgin Mary in the Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province on Dec. 25, 2022.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Switzerland to ban Hamas on May 15, allowing expulsions: What we know

This photograph taken on April 3, 2024, shows the House of Swiss Parliament under heavy clouds in Swiss capital Bern.

Palestine

Outrage grows at Iran port explosion as IRGC rejects blame: What to know

Heavy smoke rises at the scene of an explosion that took place a day earlier at the Shahid Rajaee port dock on April 27, 2025.

Iran

China JV wins $1.13 billion contract to relocate Saudi university facilities

Saudi Arabia

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Protests have been held in solidarity with Mohsen Mahdawi, who was detained by immmigration authorities this month

Palestinian student detained at US citizenship interview released on bail

Agence France-Presse

A man inspects the wreckage of a building destroyed in Yemen by a strike on a migrant centre attributed to the US

Migrants' dreams buried under rubble after deadly strike on Yemen centre

Agence France-Presse

Amnesty accuses Iran of 'sinister crackdown' after deadly port blast

Agence France-Presse

People are evacuated on a recovery vehicle at a highway during a forest fire

Israel's Netanyahu warns wildfires could reach Jerusalem

Agence France-Presse

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The Al-Monitor Brief

Israel seeks help as wildfires rage around Jerusalem

Adam Lucente interviews Rina Bassist

7:52

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

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

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

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

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

By Rosaleen Carroll

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

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

'Out of loop': Israel increasingly fears being blindsided by a Trump-Iran deal

By Ben Caspit

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

Iranians pass by the recently repainted, famous anti-American mural that depics the US flag with bombs and skulls in Tehran, Iran on April 10, 2025, two days before the first round of indirect nuclear negotiations with President Trump's administration hosted and mediated by Oman. (Photo by Mohammadali Najib / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by MOHAMMADALI NAJIB/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

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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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