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)

confiscated hezbollah rocket launcher in Lebanon

US sanctions Iran-backed militias under weapons transfer ban

Washington Pulse

Leader of the Palestinian Hamas movement Ismail Haniyeh (2nd R) shakes hands with Iranian Chief of Staff for the Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri (L)

Palestinian Authority, Hamas divided on Iran

The Palestinian Authority participated in the annual conference of the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, which the United States removed from its terrorism list in 2012, while Hamas leaders welcomed incoming Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

Egyptian police cadets take part in a training session at a police academy in the capital Cairo on Dec. 30, 2019.

Egypt under fire for video of soldier shooting at sleeping target in Sinai

International law has rules for how to respond to enemy forces who are not engaged in combat.

Sisi and Lamamra

Egypt, Algeria find common ground on Libyan crisis

Egypt and Algeria have been at odds over how to deal with the situation in Libya, but that may be changing.

Raisi at swearing-in

Raisi ready to support ‘any diplomatic plan’ that lifts sanctions on Iran

Meanwhile, Israeli prime minister is ready to "send a message" to Iran in response to drone attack on Israeli-managed ship that killed two.

Iran's newly elected President Ebrahim Raisi speaks during his swearing in ceremony at the Iranian parliament in the capital Tehran on Aug. 5, 2021.

Raisi reasserts Iran's regional policy in swearing-in ceremony

The new head of state reiterated Iran's controversial regional policy, even as it has been at the very core of tensions between the Islamic Republic's hard-line establishment and the West.

DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Violence down in Syria’s al-Hol camp but conditions remain 'horrifying'

The Islamic State has been smuggling boys out of displacement camps to train in the Syrian desert.

A fighter from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) guards a gate as Syrian women wait inside the Kurdish-run al-Hol camp.

Intel: US-led coalition reaffirms support for prisons holding IS fighters in northeast Syria

The coalition commander called the Syrian Kurdish fighters' achievements against the Islamic State "astounding" and reaffirmed international support.

US President Joe Biden (R) speaks with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan prior to a plenary session of a NATO summit at NATO headquarters, Brussels, Belgium, June 14, 2021.

Will Erdogan’s Afghan gambit pay off in Washington?

The general impression is that Ankara’s commitment to protect Kabul airport is only aimed at winning favor with Washington.

Hevrin Khalaf's mother, Souad Mohammad, is seen with an image of her daughter in this undated photo.

US sanctions on Turkey-backed Syria faction offer solace to Kurdish victims

It remains to be seen what practical and immediate effect Wednesday's sanctions will have.

A picture taken on March 26, 2021, shows a damaged and abandoned villa complex of members of a Libyan family who commanded a militia that traumatised Tarhuna town, 80Km southeast of the capital. The Kaniyat were a team of six brothers who traumatized the town of Tarhuna in war-ravaged Libya, systematically eliminating those seen as opposing their militia — including killing the families.

Libyan militia leader sanctioned for war crimes killed in shootout

The International Criminal Court is investigating allegations and evidence that Mohammed al-Kani's militia carried out crimes against humanity.

US President Joe Biden (R) hosts Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi for a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office at the White House, Washington, July 26, 2021.

Iraq's military disputes militia claim about drone attack

The Imam Ali Division militia claimed two drones attacked one of its storage facilities near Najaf.