Interviews

Interview

Qatar says divisions within GCC have become ‘lose-lose’ situation for the region

Qatari spokesperson says the split among the Gulf states compromises the security of the region and that thousands of families are already paying a price.

Rached Ghannouchi, leader of the Islamist Ennahda movement, speaks during the movement's congress in Tunis, Tunisia May 20, 2016. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi - S1BETFETVCAA

Interview

Democrat or Islamist firebrand — who is Tunisia's Rachid Ghannouchi?

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Rachid Ghannouchi, the leader of Tunisia's Ennahda party, discusses the forthcoming elections and how Ennahda has shaped post-revolution politics in Tunisia.

Rachid Ghannouchi

Leader of Tunisia's Ennahda party

Zubeyir Aydar, president of the People's Congress of Kurdistan, addresses Kurdish protesters during a demonstration against alleged attacks perpetrated by the Turkish army against Kurds, in Brussels on August 8, 2015. Ankara has launched a two-pronged "anti-terror" offensive against jihadists in Syria and PKK militants based in northern Iraq after a series of attacks on Turkish soil, including a suicide bombing blamed on IS that killed 32 pro-Kurdish activists in the town of Suruc. The PKK, which accuses th

Interview

Campaigns woo Kurdish voters as Turkish election nears

In an interview with Al-Monitor, veteran Kurdish politician Zubeyir Aydar spoke about the fight for the Kurdish vote ahead of Turkey's snap elections.

Zubeyir Aydar

Former member of Turkey's parliament

Interview

Can Cairo talks succeed in uniting Libya's divided armed forces?

In an interview with Al-Monitor, the spokesman for the Libyan armed forces led by Gen. Khalifa Hifter speaks about the UN-sponsored elections and Egyptian efforts to unite the army, as Libya further sinks into chaos and division.

Khalifa Hifter

Commander of the Libyan National Army

Interview

Syrian Kurdish commander: We're 'ready to engage' with Damascus

In an interview with Al-Monitor, a Syrian Kurdish commander says the United States should stay in Syria during the post-Islamic State process.

Mazlum Kobane

SDF commander in chief

Interview

Syrian rebel commander: 150 US troops at al-Tanf base

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Lt. Col. Muhannad al-Talla, the commander of Maghawir al-Thawra, speaks of the role of the US-led coalition at al-Tanf military base, which is close to the border between Jordan, Syria and Iraq.

Muhannad al-Talla

Commander of Maghawir al-Thawra

Interview

Hezbollah’s No. 2: US strike on Syria mere ‘muscle flexing'

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Sheikh Naim Qassem, the deputy secretary-general of Hezbollah in Lebanon, spoke about the US military strikes on a Syrian air base and Israel and its potential moves in the region among other things.

Naim Qassem

Deputy secretary-general of Hezbollah

Interview

PKK leader: International mediation needed on Kurdish issue

In an exclusive interview, Al-Monitor met Cemil Bayik, one of the main leaders of the Kurdistan Workers Party, in northern Iraq's Qandil Mountains to talk about the current dispute between the Kurds and Turkey and its impact on Iraq.

Cemil Bayik

Founder of the PKK

Interview

Will Mosul witness a political battle post-IS?

In an interview with Al-Monitor, former governor of Ninevah province Atheel al-Nujaifi discussed post-Islamic State Ninevah, the motives behind the arrest warrants against him and the need for international assistance in the aftermath of the battle of Mosul.

Atheel al-Nujaifi

Former governor of Iraq's Ninevah province

Exclusive conversations with Al-Monitor.

Former French PM says Trump has ‘immense opportunity’ in Mideast

Qatar says divisions within GCC have become ‘lose-lose’ situation for the region

Democrat or Islamist firebrand — who is Tunisia's Rachid Ghannouchi?

Campaigns woo Kurdish voters as Turkish election nears

Can Cairo talks succeed in uniting Libya's divided armed forces?

Syrian Kurdish commander: We're 'ready to engage' with Damascus

Syrian rebel commander: 150 US troops at al-Tanf base

Hezbollah’s No. 2: US strike on Syria mere ‘muscle flexing'

PKK leader: International mediation needed on Kurdish issue

Will Mosul witness a political battle post-IS?

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