Armed Militias and Extremist Groups

A view of a concrete wall built by Israel near the Blue Line in Maroun al-Ras, Lebanon, on Nov. 13, 2025.

Analysis

France seeks to bolster Lebanon's army through UNIFIL coordination, donor conference

France believes that the key to stabilizing the region is bolstering the Lebanese military so it can regain control over the south of the country.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Armoured vehicles of the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Forces are deployed outside the US embassy building in Baghdad's Green Zone on June 12, 2025, after an announcement by a US official the previous day that staff levels at the diplomatic mission in Iraq were being reduced over security concerns. Despite reporting progress in earlier rounds of talks between Iran and the United States, tensions have reached a fever pitch this week as Washington moved non-essential staff from bases in the region following US medi

Analysis

After Iraq’s election, what are US priorities for next government?

Washington wants there to be no sanctioned groups in the next Iraqi government, a source told Al-Monitor, as the US and Iran compete for influence.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

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

Syria's security directorate in al-Bukamal seized SAM-7 missiles being prepared for smuggling into Iraq, on Dec. 22, 2025.

Syria seizes anti-aircraft missiles near Iraqi border: What to know

The Syrian government is stepping up efforts to combat arms smuggling, including in relation to Hezbollah, Kurdish-led forces and ISIS.

US President Donald Trump speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem on Oct. 13, 2025.

Analysis

Trump has upper hand over Netanyahu, but is it enough for Gaza?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been stalling on the implementation of the second phase of President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, but at the end of the day, Trump has much more leverage over Netanyahu.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Latest News

US bombs ISIS targets in Syria in retaliation for Palmyra insider attack

A destroyed Syrian army battle tank lies abandoned near the ancient ruins of Palmyra in central Syria on Feb. 7, 2025.

Second Lebanon-Israel meeting agrees to strengthen Lebanese army: What to know

Rabih DAHER / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

How Netanyahu ceded to Trump, agreed to Egypt's $35B gas deal

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, EGYPT - OCTOBER 13: U.S. President Donald Trump and President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi clasp hands as they speak to the press before their meeting on October 13, 2025 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. President Trump is in Egypt to meet with European and Middle Eastern leaders in what’s being billed as an international peace summit, following the start of a US-brokered ceasefire deal to end the war in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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

US, France and Saudi Arabia agree to conference to bolster Lebanon’s army

This photograph taken during a press tour organised by the Lebanese army shows Lebanese soldiers standing atop a military vehicle in Alma Al-Shaab, near the border with Israel in southern Lebanon, on November 28, 2025. It was the first guided tour the army gave journalists since a November 2024 ceasefire sought to end over a year of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (Photo by Anwar AMRO / AFP via Getty Images)

Michel Aouon

Lebanon's president calls for UN action after Israeli strikes

Lebanese President Michel Aoun said recent Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah violated Lebanon's sovereignty.

Taliban, imam at Kabul mosque

Will the Taliban welcome al-Qaeda back to Afghanistan?

Afghanistan's economy is hanging by a thread; Iran makes the best of the Taliban; the "resistance" finds inspiration; five must reads on Afghanistan.

Israeli airstrike in Damascus in 2020

Israel reportedly bombs Syria for second time this week

Syrian state media said Israeli missiles targeted areas near the capital, Damascus, and the western city of Homs.

Ethiopian refugees in Sudan

Turkey offers to mediate disputes between Sudan, Ethiopia

Erdogan also said he stands behind a peaceful resolution to the violence in Tigray.

The family (front) of an Afghan national working at the French Embassy queue at Hamid Karzai International Airport as they prepare to leave on a special flight to France, Kabul, Afghanistan, July 17, 2021.

Pentagon sidelines ally Turkey as US takes control of Kabul airport

Taliban fighters helped secure the southern perimeter of Kabul airport as the US Army's 82nd Airborne rushed in to take control, marking a rare moment of coordination between the years-long enemies.

Jihadis of former al-Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham block demonstrators from approaching the Bab al-Hawa crossing.

Uzbek fighters complicate makeover campaign by jihadi group in Idlib

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the dominant jihad group in Idlib, is seeking distance from the actions of Uzbek foreign fighters.

Baradar and Haniyeh

Hamas welcomes Taliban’s triumph in Afghanistan

Hamas published an official statement in which it congratulated its victory and praised its performance.

A Taliban fighter walks past a beauty saloon with images of women defaced using a spray paint in Shar-e-Naw in Kabul on Aug. 18, 2021.

IRGC says Afghanistan exit a ‘lesson’ not to rely on US

An official from Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps says the US exit from Afghanistan is a lesson for regional leaders.

WAKIL KOHSAR/AFP via Getty Images

Ankara mulls ambitious but risky engagement with Taliban

The Turkish government is eyeing a more independent — and riskier — role in Afghanistan after the Taliban’s blitz takeover of Kabul sidelined the United States earlier than expected.

An Iraqi municipal worker fixes the cables of an overhead power line in al-Zahraa neighborhood in Mosul, during an ongoing military operation against the Islamic State, Iraq, Jan. 11, 2017.

Electrical towers again become targets in Iraq

Iraq's transmission towers are increasingly the target of bombings.

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar

Afghan chaos further incentive for India’s efforts to strengthen ties with Iran

The recent rise of the Taliban in Kabul has expedited New Delhi's efforts to boost ties with Iran, which is positioned to be India's main corridor to Afghanistan, yet major challenges remain.

Abdul Ghani Baradar

Gulf states call for calm in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were two of the only three countries to recognize the Taliban the last time the Islamist group ruled Afghanistan.

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