Al-MONITOR
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Independent and trusted coverage of the Middle East, providing unique insight on the trends & events shaping the region from top journalists in the region
UN peacekeeping chief in Lebanon says smooth transition is critical before pull-out
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
UN peacekeeping chief in Lebanon says smooth transition is critical before pull-out
By Maya GebeilyNEAR MANSOURI, Lebanon, Sept 19 (Reuters) - The head of United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon said on Saturday it was critical to ensure otherUN agencies and Lebanese troops could…
www.al-monitor.com
September 19, 2026 at 6:42 PM
UN peacekeeping chief in Lebanon says smooth transition is critical before pull-out
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Flames, smoke seen near Riyadh airport after Saudi warning of aerial attack threat
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Flames, smoke seen near Riyadh airport after Saudi warning of aerial attack threat
RIYADH, Sept 19 (Reuters) - A large plume of smoke was visible near Riyadh's main airport on Saturday after booms were heard and Saudi Arabia sent alerts overnight warning of potential danger around…
www.al-monitor.com
September 19, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Flames, smoke seen near Riyadh airport after Saudi warning of aerial attack threat
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
ANALYSIS | After France's settlement ban, Israel sees no warming of ties with Macron government
Israeli diplomats say France’s decision to ban imports from West Bank settlements has brought bilateral relations to an unprecedented low point.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Israeli diplomats say France’s decision to ban imports from West Bank settlements has brought bilateral relations to an unprecedented low point.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
After France's settlement ban, Israel sees no warming of ties with Macron government
Israeli diplomats say France’s decision to ban imports from West Bank settlements has brought bilateral relations to an unprecedented low point.
www.al-monitor.com
September 19, 2026 at 11:43 AM
ANALYSIS | After France's settlement ban, Israel sees no warming of ties with Macron government
Israeli diplomats say France’s decision to ban imports from West Bank settlements has brought bilateral relations to an unprecedented low point.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Israeli diplomats say France’s decision to ban imports from West Bank settlements has brought bilateral relations to an unprecedented low point.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
ANALYSIS | How a new Baluch militant coalition raises pressure on Iran-Pakistan border
Iran's military standoff with the US may be creating opportunities for Baluch groups to launch operations from the mountainous, sparsely populated frontier region with Pakistan. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Iran's military standoff with the US may be creating opportunities for Baluch groups to launch operations from the mountainous, sparsely populated frontier region with Pakistan. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
How a new Baluch militant coalition raises pressure on Iran-Pakistan border
Iran's military standoff with the US may be creating opportunities for Baluch groups to launch operations from the mountainous, sparsely populated frontier region with Pakistan.
www.al-monitor.com
September 19, 2026 at 10:40 AM
ANALYSIS | How a new Baluch militant coalition raises pressure on Iran-Pakistan border
Iran's military standoff with the US may be creating opportunities for Baluch groups to launch operations from the mountainous, sparsely populated frontier region with Pakistan. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Iran's military standoff with the US may be creating opportunities for Baluch groups to launch operations from the mountainous, sparsely populated frontier region with Pakistan. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
EXPLAINER | From Maysan to Saudi Arabia, drone attack puts Iraqi province under scrutiny
Officials have been removed but worsening problems need to be addressed in militia stronghold bordering Iran, local residents and observers say.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Officials have been removed but worsening problems need to be addressed in militia stronghold bordering Iran, local residents and observers say.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
From Maysan to Saudi Arabia, drone attack puts Iraqi province under scrutiny
Officials have been removed but worsening problems need to be addressed in militia stronghold bordering Iran, local residents and observers say.
www.al-monitor.com
September 19, 2026 at 9:33 AM
EXPLAINER | From Maysan to Saudi Arabia, drone attack puts Iraqi province under scrutiny
Officials have been removed but worsening problems need to be addressed in militia stronghold bordering Iran, local residents and observers say.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Officials have been removed but worsening problems need to be addressed in militia stronghold bordering Iran, local residents and observers say.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
US troop deaths during Iran war exceed Pentagon count by at least four, Washington Post reports
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
US troop deaths during Iran war exceed Pentagon count by at least four, Washington Post reports
Sept 18 (Reuters) - More US troops have died during the US-Israeli war with Iran than the Pentagon has publicly disclosed, the Washington Post reported on Friday.Defense Secretary PeteHegseth denied…
www.al-monitor.com
September 19, 2026 at 1:53 AM
US troop deaths during Iran war exceed Pentagon count by at least four, Washington Post reports
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
ANALYSIS: As Iran regime marks 200 days of war, is it also preparing for dissent?
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
As Iran regime marks 200 days of war, is it also preparing for dissent?
Seven months into the war with the US, Iranian authorities staged a pro-government mobilization in Tehran, combining patriotic spectacle with a carefully calibrated demonstration aimed for domestic…
www.al-monitor.com
September 18, 2026 at 11:14 PM
ANALYSIS: As Iran regime marks 200 days of war, is it also preparing for dissent?
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Syria’s Shibani visits Latakia airport to review Russia deal progress: What to know
Syria is seeking to ensure that the August deal to turn Russian facilities in the country into joint training centers is implemented. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Syria is seeking to ensure that the August deal to turn Russian facilities in the country into joint training centers is implemented. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Syria’s Shibani visits Latakia airport to review Russia deal progress: What to know
Syria is seeking to ensure that the August deal to turn Russian facilities in the country into joint training centers is implemented.
www.al-monitor.com
September 18, 2026 at 8:52 PM
Syria’s Shibani visits Latakia airport to review Russia deal progress: What to know
Syria is seeking to ensure that the August deal to turn Russian facilities in the country into joint training centers is implemented. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Syria is seeking to ensure that the August deal to turn Russian facilities in the country into joint training centers is implemented. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is busy with secret, last-ditch efforts to normalize ties with Saudi Arabia, two senior Israeli political sources told Al-Monitor, hoping the achievement could help his reelection prospects. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
How Netanyahu is leveraging Houthi threat in secret Saudi normalization push
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to capitalize on Riyadh's need for intelligence assistance to make normalization headway ahead of the October elections.
www.al-monitor.com
September 18, 2026 at 8:20 PM
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is busy with secret, last-ditch efforts to normalize ties with Saudi Arabia, two senior Israeli political sources told Al-Monitor, hoping the achievement could help his reelection prospects. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
ANALYSIS | Houthi attacks pressure Saudi Arabia’s splashy economic overhaul
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Houthi attacks pressure Saudi Arabia’s splashy economic overhaul
Riyadh faces the prospect of having to divert more resources away from noncritical Vision 2030 projects toward defense and economic support as the US-Iran war hits the kingdom more directly.
www.al-monitor.com
September 18, 2026 at 6:20 PM
ANALYSIS | Houthi attacks pressure Saudi Arabia’s splashy economic overhaul
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Saudi Aramco curbs Europe crude exports to support Asia supplies
Saudi Arabia is sending about 60 million barrels of crude through the Strait of Hormuz to Oman’s Sohar port this month and next, Reuters reported. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Saudi Arabia is sending about 60 million barrels of crude through the Strait of Hormuz to Oman’s Sohar port this month and next, Reuters reported. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Saudi Aramco curbs Europe crude exports to support Asia supplies
Saudi Arabia is sending about 60 million barrels of crude through the Strait of Hormuz to Oman’s Sohar port this month and next, Reuters reported.
www.al-monitor.com
September 18, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Saudi Aramco curbs Europe crude exports to support Asia supplies
Saudi Arabia is sending about 60 million barrels of crude through the Strait of Hormuz to Oman’s Sohar port this month and next, Reuters reported. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Saudi Arabia is sending about 60 million barrels of crude through the Strait of Hormuz to Oman’s Sohar port this month and next, Reuters reported. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Lebanon charges 5 in alleged Hezbollah operation to train Assad loyalists
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Lebanon charges 5 in alleged Hezbollah operation to train Assad loyalists
A Lebanese military court has charged the five, including an Assad-era Syrian officer and Hezbollah members, with running a cross-border security network planning attacks in Syria’s coastal region.
www.al-monitor.com
September 18, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Lebanon charges 5 in alleged Hezbollah operation to train Assad loyalists
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
ANALYSIS: How Netanyahu is leveraging Houthi threat in secret Saudi normalization push
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
How Netanyahu is leveraging Houthi threat in secret Saudi normalization push
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to capitalize on Riyadh's need for intelligence assistance to make normalization headway ahead of the October elections.
www.al-monitor.com
September 18, 2026 at 4:58 PM
ANALYSIS: How Netanyahu is leveraging Houthi threat in secret Saudi normalization push
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Isolated Syrian-Druze city blames Damascus for shortages
In her bakery, Hoda Kiwan impatiently awaits flour and fuel, which have become scarce in southern Syria's Sweida, the Druze-majority city still outside Damascus' control. "I am suffering from a…
www.al-monitor.com
September 18, 2026 at 4:22 PM
PODCAST | UN says Yemen war displaces 112,000
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www.al-monitor.com/podcasts/un-...
UN says Yemen war displaces 112,000
The Trump administration approved the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, and an adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the president will seek a third term.Subscribe to Middle…
www.al-monitor.com
September 18, 2026 at 1:15 PM
PODCAST | UN says Yemen war displaces 112,000
www.al-monitor.com/podcasts/un-...
www.al-monitor.com/podcasts/un-...
Today’s Daily Briefing: Erdogan makes bid for historic third term
The Turkish constitution limits presidents to two terms but allows another run if the parliament calls early elections.
www.al-monitor.com/newsletter/2...
The Turkish constitution limits presidents to two terms but allows another run if the parliament calls early elections.
www.al-monitor.com/newsletter/2...
Erdogan makes bid for historic third term
The Turkish constitution limits presidents to two terms but allows another run if the parliament calls early elections.
www.al-monitor.com
September 18, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Today’s Daily Briefing: Erdogan makes bid for historic third term
The Turkish constitution limits presidents to two terms but allows another run if the parliament calls early elections.
www.al-monitor.com/newsletter/2...
The Turkish constitution limits presidents to two terms but allows another run if the parliament calls early elections.
www.al-monitor.com/newsletter/2...
Yemen conflict displaces 112,000 people inside country, thousands flee to Djibouti, UN migration agency says
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Yemen conflict displaces 112,000 people inside country, thousands flee to Djibouti, UN migration agency says
By Olivia Le PoidevinGENEVA, Sept 18 (Reuters) - At least 112,000 people have been displaced inside Yemen within the last two weeksas fighting continues along the country's west coast amid a renewed…
www.al-monitor.com
September 18, 2026 at 10:29 AM
Yemen conflict displaces 112,000 people inside country, thousands flee to Djibouti, UN migration agency says
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Former Assad official sentenced to 60 years in US for torture
Samir Ousman Alsheikh was convicted by a jury in March of three counts of torture, one count of conspiracy to commit torture, visa fraud and attempted naturalization fraud.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Samir Ousman Alsheikh was convicted by a jury in March of three counts of torture, one count of conspiracy to commit torture, visa fraud and attempted naturalization fraud.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Former Assad official sentenced to 60 years in US for torture
Samir Ousman Alsheikh was convicted by a jury in March of three counts of torture, one count of conspiracy to commit torture, visa fraud and attempted naturalization fraud.
www.al-monitor.com
September 18, 2026 at 12:39 AM
Former Assad official sentenced to 60 years in US for torture
Samir Ousman Alsheikh was convicted by a jury in March of three counts of torture, one count of conspiracy to commit torture, visa fraud and attempted naturalization fraud.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Samir Ousman Alsheikh was convicted by a jury in March of three counts of torture, one count of conspiracy to commit torture, visa fraud and attempted naturalization fraud.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Turkey detains finance executives amid market turmoil
Several prominent Turkish finance executives were swept up by authorities on Thursday amid efforts to contain a market rout that has exposed strains in the country’s investment-fund industry.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Several prominent Turkish finance executives were swept up by authorities on Thursday amid efforts to contain a market rout that has exposed strains in the country’s investment-fund industry.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Turkey detains finance executives amid market turmoil
Several prominent Turkish finance executives were swept up by authorities on Thursday amid efforts to contain a market rout that has exposed strains in the country’s investment-fund industry.
www.al-monitor.com
September 17, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Turkey detains finance executives amid market turmoil
Several prominent Turkish finance executives were swept up by authorities on Thursday amid efforts to contain a market rout that has exposed strains in the country’s investment-fund industry.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Several prominent Turkish finance executives were swept up by authorities on Thursday amid efforts to contain a market rout that has exposed strains in the country’s investment-fund industry.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
INTERVIEW: Yemen separatists urge US not to let Saudi Arabia ‘call the shots’
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
September 17, 2026 at 8:28 PM
INTERVIEW: Yemen separatists urge US not to let Saudi Arabia ‘call the shots’
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
US approves $24B sale of F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia
Trump first announced the planned sale in November 2025, ahead of hosting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Trump first announced the planned sale in November 2025, ahead of hosting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
US approves $24B sale of F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia
Trump first announced the planned sale in November 2025, ahead of hosting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House.
www.al-monitor.com
September 17, 2026 at 7:48 PM
US approves $24B sale of F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia
Trump first announced the planned sale in November 2025, ahead of hosting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Trump first announced the planned sale in November 2025, ahead of hosting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
US sanctions Iranian crypto exchange BitBank over Hormuz payments
The US government says the exchange was used to channel payments from an Iranian maritime-insurance scheme to the regime. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
The US government says the exchange was used to channel payments from an Iranian maritime-insurance scheme to the regime. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
US sanctions Iranian crypto exchange BitBank over Hormuz payments
The US government says the exchange was used to channel payments from an Iranian maritime-insurance scheme to the regime.
www.al-monitor.com
September 17, 2026 at 6:59 PM
US sanctions Iranian crypto exchange BitBank over Hormuz payments
The US government says the exchange was used to channel payments from an Iranian maritime-insurance scheme to the regime. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
The US government says the exchange was used to channel payments from an Iranian maritime-insurance scheme to the regime. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
US Democrats look to stop Trump's Saudi nuclear deal
House Democrats raised concerns on Thursday about Trump's civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, and said they had introduced a resolution of disapproval seeking to block the deal from coming into force.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
House Democrats raised concerns on Thursday about Trump's civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, and said they had introduced a resolution of disapproval seeking to block the deal from coming into force.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
US Democrats look to stop Trump's Saudi nuclear deal
By Patricia ZengerleWASHINGTON, Sept 17 (Reuters) - US House of Representatives Democrats raised concerns on Thursday about President Donald Trump's civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, and…
www.al-monitor.com
September 17, 2026 at 6:08 PM
US Democrats look to stop Trump's Saudi nuclear deal
House Democrats raised concerns on Thursday about Trump's civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, and said they had introduced a resolution of disapproval seeking to block the deal from coming into force.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
House Democrats raised concerns on Thursday about Trump's civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, and said they had introduced a resolution of disapproval seeking to block the deal from coming into force.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Serbia opens factory to assemble Israeli-made drones: What to know
Serbian President Vucic said the factory will put together “state-of-the-art” Israeli-designed drones and employ around 100 workers.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Serbian President Vucic said the factory will put together “state-of-the-art” Israeli-designed drones and employ around 100 workers.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Serbia opens factory to assemble Israeli-made drones: What to know
Serbian President Vucic said the factory will put together “state-of-the-art” Israeli-designed drones and employ around 100 workers.
www.al-monitor.com
September 17, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Serbia opens factory to assemble Israeli-made drones: What to know
Serbian President Vucic said the factory will put together “state-of-the-art” Israeli-designed drones and employ around 100 workers.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Serbian President Vucic said the factory will put together “state-of-the-art” Israeli-designed drones and employ around 100 workers.
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...