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

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

Analysis

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

Mahmoud Abbas' move to create a vice chairman position within the PLO may signal potential plans for succession, but the decision is clouded by the PLO's waning influence and uncertainty over Palestinian governance in Gaza.

By Rosaleen Carroll

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

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

Analysis

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

With the government of the incoming chancellor poised to decide the fate of the deal, analysts debate whether it will survive and suggest possible alternatives.

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

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

Analysis

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

Buoyed by foreign investment and cautious reforms, Egypt’s fragile recovery faces a new test from Trump’s tariff-fueled trade turbulence.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L) and French President Emmanuel Macron take part in a joint press conference at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris on July 20, 2022. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP) (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Macron’s Palestine gamble: Can recognition plan jump-start peace talks?

French President Emmanuel Macron said he may recognize a Palestinian state in June when he will cohost a peace summit with Saudi Arabia, but has not committed to such a move.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Black smoke rises as rescuers arrive near the scene of a deadly explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port in southern Iran

Major blast at Iran port kills 14, injures 750

Agence France-Presse

Latest News

Analysis

Jordan Muslim Brotherhood ban setback for Islamists but holds risks for Amman

Jordanian King Abdullah II meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

By Adam Lucente

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

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

Iran-US talks set to resume in Oman amid differences over enrichment: What to know

Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi (R), and Oman's foreign minister, Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi, give a joint press conference in Tehran on Dec. 30, 2024.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

Syria’s Kurds reap benefits of Erdogan’s 'terror free Turkey' as Ankara halts attacks

Syrian Kurds chant slogans and wave flags as they demonstrate in the northeastern city of Qamishli on March 14, 2025, against the new constitutional declaration announced by the interim government in Damascus the previous day.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Subscribe to the Daily Briefing for only $1.67 per month.

The most authoritative roundup for Middle East news everyday in your inbox.

What you get

Daily email with comprehensive regional news coverage
Start with a two-week free trial
Summary of all key insights from our in-country journalists.

Thousands of Gazan children queue every day at community kitchens in the hope of securing food for their families

'Hunger breaks everything': desperate Gazans scramble for food

Agence France-Presse

A US military photo shows an F/A-18 Super Hornet warplane taking off from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier on March 16, 2025

US says it struck 800 targets in Yemen, killed 100s of Huthis since March 15

Agence France-Presse

Lebanese emergency teams cordon off the blazing rubble of a building hit by an Israeli air strike in south Beirut.
perimeter of a fire at the site of Israeli strikes following evacuation orders, in Beirut's southern suburb on April 27, 2025.

Israel strikes south Beirut, prompting Lebanese appeal to ceasefire guarantors

Agence France-Presse

The aftermath of an Israeli strike at Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza -- bodies are often trapped under rubble

Gaza ministry says hundreds of war missing confirmed dead, toll at 52,243

Agence France-Presse

Select one or more cities and get a weekly email for the latest in the arts, music, cuisine and entertainment.

Each week, our on-the-ground writers in these cities cover the latest cultural happenings and trends, so you have everything you need to know for the best local experiences.

Editor's choice

Three stories hand-picked by our editorial team.

Stay informed with our daily and weekly newsletters

Read By

See all newsletters

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.

See All

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

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

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

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

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

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

ALM Events

Convening global leaders, media pioneers, and regional entrepreneurs.

See All

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

Our Journalists

See All

Latest News

Subscribe to the Daily Briefing for only $1.67 per month.

What you get

Editor's choice

Stay informed with our daily and weekly newsletters

Read By

Podcasts

ALM Interviews

The City Pulse Newsletters

Analysis

ALM Events

Our Journalists