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

White House, Washington DC, United States of America

United States

October 5, 2025

District of Columbia 10:30 am

20°C

Turkish air force fighter jets fly over a parade during celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Turkey's invasion of Cyprus on July 20, 2024, in occupied northern Nicosia, Cyprus.

Analysis

Jet lag: Turkey weighs alternatives as US sanctions stall Kaan engine imports

Turkish defense experts say delays in engine approvals could slow the country’s fifth-generation fighter, yet Turkey has alternatives to maintain its offensive and defensive capabilities.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Lebanese army soldiers and security forces deploy near a vehicle that was hit by a reported drone-strike at the entrance of the village of Barja, about 30 kilometres south of Beirut, on Sept. 9, 2025.

US approves $230M for Lebanon’s push to disarm Hezbollah

New US funds for Beirut signal rare bipartisan approval for progress by Lebanon's security forces as they dismantle Hezbollah weapons caches, but significant risks remain as the militant faction resists full disarmament.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Netanyahu hamstrung by far right, Trump as Hamas drags feet on Gaza plan

The Hamas commanders in Gaza remain the main obstacle to advancement of the Trump plan and are expected to seek amendments even as Israel’s military steps up its offensive on Gaza City.

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

A woman walks past a deactivated Kheibar Shekan ballistic missile in front of a picture of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran's Bahrestan Square on Sept. 27, 2025, as part of an exhibit to mark the "Sacred Defense Week" commemorating the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war.

US targets Iran's military tech with sanctions after allies trigger snapback

New sanctions aim to increase pressure on Iran to restrict the IRGC’s relentless development of ballistic missiles and military aircraft, but risk pushing Tehran further into the orbits of Russia and China.

Latest News

Trump signs order to ‘guarantee’ Qatar’s security after Israel strikes

US President Donald J. Trump speaks with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani as he departs the Al Udeid Air Base for Abu Dhabi on May 15, 2025, in Doha, Qatar.

US troops in Iraq shift to Erbil to focus on ISIS in Syria

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - MAY 30: A U.S. Army soldier looks onto Baghdad from a guardhouse on the perimeter of the International Zone on May 30, 2021 in Baghdad, Iraq. Coalition forces based in Baghdad's International Zone are part of the U.S.-led Military Advisor Group of 13 nations supporting the Iraqi Security Forces. The United States currently maintains 2,500 military personnel in Iraq as part of Operation Inherent Resolve. Alpha Company 769th brigade Engineer Battalion, Louisiana National Guard is providing for

Analysis

Trump offers Netanyahu cover as Israel's far right recoils at Gaza peace plan

Win McNamee/Getty Images

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

Analysis

How Afghanistan's Bagram base became focal point of US-China-Iran rivalry

Taliban military vehicles parade to celebrate the third anniversary of Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, at the Bagram Air Base, in Bagram, Parwan province on Aug. 14, 2024.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

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

Elizabeth Hagedorn

State Department Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Jared Szuba

Pentagon Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Joyce Karam

Senior News Editor

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional geopolitics, China in the Middle East

Andrew Parasiliti

President and Chief Content Officer

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security

Megan Mineiro

In Washington, DC, reporting on US Congress

An Iranian holds a local newspapers with frontpage news on the US presidential vote outside a kiost in Tehran on Nov. 6, 2024.

'Unpredictable consequences:' How Iran reacted to Trump's victory

An Iranian government spokesperson was dismissive of Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election.

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 15: U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu participate in a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on September 15, 2020 in Washington, DC. Netanyahu is in Washington to participate in the signing ceremony of the Abraham Accords. (Photo by Doug Mills/Pool/Getty Images)

Netanyahu is first as Middle East leaders rush to congratulate Trump

Several leaders of Arab and Muslim countries in the region have congratulated Donald Trump on his election as US president, while others have expressed indifference.

Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during an election night event at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on November 6, 2024. Donald Trump claimed victory and pledged to "heal" the country on November 6, 2024 as results put him on the verge of beating Kamala Harris in a stunning White House comeback. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Middle East markets rally after Donald Trump's election victory

Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index, the TASI, gained 0.9%, while Dubai's main share index gained 0.5%. The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, a key player in the region’s stock markets, gained 0.4%.

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 06: Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump waves to supporters with former first lady Melania Trump and Barron Trump during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center on November 06, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Americans cast their ballots today in the presidential race between Republican nominee former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as multiple state elections that will determine the ba

Donald Trump wins US presidency, signaling major shifts for Middle East

Donald Trump on Wednesday won the race by securing key swing states of Pennsylvania, Georgia and North Carolina.

Armenian protesters hold a flag of Armenia as they gather to rally against land transfer to Azerbaijan, on Yerevan's Republic Square on May 10, 2024. Armenia has agreed to hand over territory it has controlled since the 1990s and started border delimitation efforts in a bid to secure an elusive peace deal with Baku and avoid another bloody conflict. (Photo by KAREN MINASYAN / AFP) (Photo by KAREN MINASYAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Feature

How US policy on Azerbaijan could sway Armenian vote in Pennsylvania

The Armenian National Committee of America has not endorsed a candidate in the US presidential election, with its supporters saying neither the vice president nor former president show sufficient support for Armenian causes.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

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

US Vice President Kamala Harris meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Vice President's ceremonial office at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC, on July 25, 2024. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP) (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Kamala Harris, Donald Trump sent messages to Israel to end Lebanon war by Jan. 20

Both US presidential candidates push Israel to end its war against Hezbollah as quickly as possible, yet Prime Minister Netanyahu might have other considerations in mind.

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

Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump

From Iran to Turkey, how the Middle East is bracing for US elections

With the US presidential election just one day away, how is the Middle East anticipating the result?

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event at the Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote Presidential Town Hall at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on July 13, 2024, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Feature

Pennsylvania’s Jewish voters weigh Israel, domestic concerns as Trump and Harris vie for support

Vice President Harris is leading with Jewish voters in the battleground state, according to polls, while others in the community are backing former President Trump amid concerns about US policy toward Israel.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

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

EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/AFP via Getty Images

Despite deteriorating human rights record, Egypt hopes for US support under Harris or Trump

Cairo hopes that whichever form it takes, the new US administration will continue backing its positions and policies in the Middle East and Horn of Africa.

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

How US election could impact UAE’s clean energy ambitions, $100B investment pact

US-UAE clean energy cooperation grew considerably during President Joe Biden, becoming a bright spot in relations as both countries played key roles in the global energy transition.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

A picture taken on March 12, 2017, shows a view of an oil facility in the Khark Island, on the shore of the Gulf.

How Trump, Harris presidencies could impact Middle East oil markets

Trump has favored a more interventionist approach toward OPEC, while the Biden-Harris administration has used the US' strategic petroleum reserves to influence oil policy

MATTHEW HATCHER/AFP via Getty Images

Feature

Gaza war looms large over Pennsylvania’s Muslims as Harris struggles to win votes

Muslims are divided in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, where the vice president, former president and third-party candidate all have the potential to win a sizable chunk of the vote.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

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