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AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012
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Stennis Carrier Strike Groups conduct carrier strike force operations in the US 6th Fleet area of operations on April 24, 2019 in the Mediterranean Sea. " /> </picture> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="node__content"> <div class="node__text_container"> <div class="node__content_header"> </div> <div class="node__text"> <h2 class="h2"> <a class="h2__link" href="/originals/2025/04/f-35s-carriers-and-b-2-bombers-pentagon-reinforces-mideast-military-presence" > <span>F-35s, carriers and B-2 bombers: Pentagon reinforces Mideast military presence</span> </a> </h2> <p class="summary__paragraph"> The Pentagon has been quietly amassing forces in the Middle East amid concerns that Iran's IRGC could lash out at US bases in the Arabian Peninsula and the Levant if the White House's bid to end Tehran's nuclear enrichment via diplomacy goes off the rails. </p> </div> <div class="node__meta"> <a class="country country--with-icon country--no-border" href="/united-states" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#united-states"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">United States</div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </article> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-b8525c77a61aebdd0a454ec2449cf6f6e2729f2a8015d69fda6885d30631f6fd view--frontpage view--frontpage--leading"> <section class="section section--leading-news section--front-page section--constrain"> <div class="section--content section--content--constrain"> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> <div class="grid grid--featured-content"> <div class="grid__start"> <div class="vertical-listing-medium"> <article class="card card--analysis card--default card--small"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <a href="/originals/2025/04/can-trumps-middle-east-strategy-avert-military-confrontation-iran" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2025-04/GettyImages-2207375413%20copy.jpeg?h=1d34674f&itok=bmiMkGdz" width="870" height="489" alt="President Donald Trump speaking during a swearing-in ceremony in the Oval Office at the White House on March 28, 2025, in Washington, DC. " /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="card__type card__type--analysis u-text-color--analysis"> <span class="eyebrow u-text-transform--uppercase"> Analysis </span> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/04/can-trumps-middle-east-strategy-avert-military-confrontation-iran" > Can Trump's Middle East strategy avert military confrontation with Iran? </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__summary"> <a class="link link--card-summary" href="/originals/2025/04/can-trumps-middle-east-strategy-avert-military-confrontation-iran" > The US and Iran are not on the brink of war just yet. But Washington is racing against the clock to rein in Tehran’s nuclear program before China can invade Taiwan — and before Israel tries to do the job alone. </a> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/jared-szuba.html" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-04/IMG_2347.jpg?h=502e75fa&itok=LMgLq3kz" alt="Jared Szuba" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/jared-szuba.html" > <div class="name"> <span class="byline-pretext byline-pretext__inline">By</span> <span class="subtitle--l">Jared Szuba</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>Washington, DC</strong>, reporting on <strong>defense, national security, military</strong></div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article class="card card-- card--default card--small"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <a href="/originals/2025/04/turkey-fines-meta-refusing-restrict-facebook-instagram-over-imamoglu-protests" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2025-04/GettyImages-2206938350.jpg?h=0775493e&itok=AnZr7-tj" width="870" height="489" alt="People with placards during a demonstration in support of Ekrem Imamoglu and political prisoners in Turkey and in solidarity with the resistance to the Erdogan regime in Paris France March 29, 2025. (Photo by Bastien Ohier / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by BASTIEN OHIER/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/04/turkey-fines-meta-refusing-restrict-facebook-instagram-over-imamoglu-protests" > Turkey fines Meta for refusing to restrict Facebook, Instagram over Imamoglu protests </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__summary"> <a class="link link--card-summary" href="/originals/2025/04/turkey-fines-meta-refusing-restrict-facebook-instagram-over-imamoglu-protests" > Unlike X, which has suspended social media accounts at the request of the Turkish government, Meta says it has faced heavy fines in Turkey for refusing to do so. </a> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <a class="country country--with-icon country--no-border" href="/turkey" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#turkey"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Turkey</div> </a> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="grid__middle"> <div class="vertical-listing"> <article class="card card-- card--default card--small"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <a href="/originals/2025/04/khartoum-accuses-rsf-looting-and-destroying-sudans-heritage-what-know" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2025-04/GettyImages-2205963935.jpg?h=790be497&itok=5i2bacPq" width="870" height="489" alt="The heavily damaged Shahid (Martyr) Mosque is pictured in Khartoum's Muqrin neighbourhood on March 22, 2025. Sudan's army and allied armed groups seized the country's presidential palace on March 21 in the ongoing war against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries, which the RSF had used since the start of the war to house elite forces and stockpile ammunition. The military has since launched a clearing operation to push the RSF out of the city centre, retaking on March 22 several strategic state ins" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/04/khartoum-accuses-rsf-looting-and-destroying-sudans-heritage-what-know" > Khartoum accuses RSF of looting and destroying Sudan's heritage: What to know </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__summary"> <a class="link link--card-summary" href="/originals/2025/04/khartoum-accuses-rsf-looting-and-destroying-sudans-heritage-what-know" > The Sudanese government accused the Rapid Support Forces of looting and destroying cultural heritage sites, including the Sudan National Museum, during their occupation of Khartoum, calling the actions war crimes and pledging to work with UNESCO and Interpol to recover stolen artifacts. </a> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <a class="country country--with-icon country--no-border" href="/sudan" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#sudan"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Sudan</div> </a> </div> </article> <article class="card card-- card--default card--small"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <a href="/originals/2025/04/israel-carries-out-airstrikes-damascus-homs-hama-syria-tensions-flare" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2025-04/GettyImages-2206318205%20copy.jpeg?h=a5ae579a&itok=Zw1IOfSY" width="870" height="489" alt="This picture taken from Israel-annexed Golan Heights along the border with southern Syria shows smoke billowing above the Syrian village of Koayiah during Israeli bombardment, on March 25, 2025." /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/04/israel-carries-out-airstrikes-damascus-homs-hama-syria-tensions-flare" > Israel carries out airstrikes in Damascus, Homs, Hama as Syria tensions flare </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__summary"> <a class="link link--card-summary" href="/originals/2025/04/israel-carries-out-airstrikes-damascus-homs-hama-syria-tensions-flare" > Israel is upping its military action against Syria despite protests from the new government in Damascus. </a> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <a class="country country--with-icon country--no-border" href="/israel" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#israel"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Israel</div> </a> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="grid__end"> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-b2bbb3dcdf1a70fc90e22e9636dbe93c7b9244ee37ba86fbb41dc83bed25e0df view--frontpage view--frontpage--leading_rest"> <div class="vertical-list"> <h3 class="h3 h3--section-title"> Latest News </h3> <article class="card card--analysis card--default card--xsmall"> <div class="card__col-one"> <div class="card__type card__type--analysis u-text-color--analysis"> <span class="eyebrow u-text-transform--uppercase"> Analysis </span> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/04/irans-warning-it-could-go-nuclear-after-trumps-threat-bluff-or-more" > Is Iran's warning it could go nuclear after Trump's threat a bluff or more? </a> </h2> </div> </div> <div class="card__col-two"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2025-04/GettyImages-103498474%20copy.jpeg?h=0056308d&itok=rPwNU686" width="480" height="480" alt="A picture taken on Aug. 20, 2010, shows an Iranian flag fluttering at an undisclosed location in the Islamic republic next to a surface-to-surface Qiam-1 missile. " /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/an-al-monitor-correspondent-in-t.html" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2021-03/globe.png?h=6464a87b&itok=2ZdBWbNr" alt="A correspondent in Tehran" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/an-al-monitor-correspondent-in-t.html" > <div class="name"> <span class="byline-pretext byline-pretext__inline">By</span> <span class="subtitle--l">A correspondent in Tehran</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>Tehran</strong>, reporting on <strong>politics</strong></div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article class="card card-- card--default card--xsmall"> <div class="card__col-one"> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/04/top-us-senator-no-f-35-jets-turkey-until-russias-s-400-missiles-gone" > Top US senator: No F-35 jets for Turkey until Russia's S-400 missiles 'gone' </a> </h2> </div> </div> <div class="card__col-two"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2025-04/GettyImages-2151584881.jpg?h=da4711cb&itok=UuuBTfuG" width="480" height="480" alt="A column of Russian missile S-400 Triumf systems drives on Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow, on May 9, 2024." /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <a class="country country--with-icon country--no-border" href="/turkey" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#turkey"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Turkey</div> </a> </div> </article> <article class="card card--analysis card--default card--xsmall"> <div class="card__col-one"> <div class="card__type card__type--analysis u-text-color--analysis"> <span class="eyebrow u-text-transform--uppercase"> Analysis </span> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/04/how-criticism-trump-may-have-sunk-netanyahus-shin-bet-nominee" > How criticism of Trump may have sunk Netanyahu's Shin Bet nominee </a> </h2> </div> </div> <div class="card__col-two"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2025-04/GettyImages-1246628455.jpg?h=f340ea6c&itok=yf8oLuxd" width="480" height="480" alt="Former US President Donald Trump gestures as US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) addresses the crowd during a 2024 election campaign event in Columbia, South Carolina, on January 28, 2023. Trump hits the campaign trail Saturday for the first time in a third bid for the US presidency overshadowed by intensifying criminal investigations and a firestorm of political controversy. The twice-impeached Republican, whose party lost the White House and both chambers of Congress during his term, makes his case for anoth" /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/ben-caspit.html" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-04/Ben-Caspit-headshot.jpg?h=502e75fa&itok=N91f5MFO" alt="Ben Caspit" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/ben-caspit.html" > <div class="name"> <span class="byline-pretext byline-pretext__inline">By</span> <span class="subtitle--l">Ben Caspit</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>Tel Aviv</strong>, reporting on <strong>national security, Israeli politics, defense</strong></div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article class="card card-- card--default card--xsmall"> <div class="card__col-one"> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/04/spain-arrests-3-suspects-accused-supplying-hezbollah-drone-parts" > Spain arrests 3 suspects accused of supplying Hezbollah with drone parts </a> </h2> </div> </div> <div class="card__col-two"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2025-04/Screenshot%202025-04-01%20at%202.27.16%E2%80%AFPM.png?h=b75f5c4a&itok=R09h46l8" width="480" height="480" alt="Civil Guard agents are pictured in an anti-terrorist operation against a Hezbollah drone manufacturing facility in this undated photo." /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/rosaleen-carroll" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2025-02/Headshot-whiteBG_1.JPEG?h=59ab770f&itok=BdQz6YuC" alt="Rosaleen Carroll" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/rosaleen-carroll" > <div class="name"> <span class="byline-pretext byline-pretext__inline">By</span> <span class="subtitle--l">Rosaleen Carroll</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>Washington, DC, US</strong>, reporting on <strong>the Middle East</strong></div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="split-60-40 split-60-40--daily-briefing split-60-40--no-divider u-margin-top--8"> <div class="split-60-40__region split-60-40__region--60"> <h2 class="h2 heading"> Subscribe to the Daily Briefing for only $1.67 per month. </h2> <p class="body body--m u-font-weight--medium"> The most authoritative roundup for Middle East news everyday in your inbox. </p> <a class="link button" href="/pro/subscribe" > Subscribe </a> <div class="split-60-40__reasons_to_buy u-margin-top--8"> <h3 class="reasons_to_buy__heading h4">What you get</h3> <ul class="list list--with-icon list--checkDiamond"> <li class="list__item"> <div class="item__icon"> <svg class="icon" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#checkmark"></use> </svg> </div> <div class="item__content"> Daily email with comprehensive regional news coverage </div> </li> <li class="list__item"> <div class="item__icon"> <svg class="icon" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#checkmark"></use> </svg> </div> <div class="item__content"> Start with a two-week free trial </div> </li> <li class="list__item"> <div class="item__icon"> <svg class="icon" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#checkmark"></use> </svg> </div> <div class="item__content"> Summary of all key insights from our in-country journalists. </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="split-60-40__region split-60-40__region--40"> <img class="image" src="/themes/custom/alm/images/newsletters/daily-briefing-rotated-grid_3x.png" /> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-986b6283e964de98e09222f587cc610b5fb0ea2cd20832995a2bdd9a5f734bf4 view--breaking-news view--breaking-news--block_1"> <section class="section section--breaking-news section--front-page section--constrain"> <div class="section--content section--content--constrain"> <div class="scroller"> <div class="scroller__content"> <article class="card card--afp card--default card--small"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <a href="/originals/2025/04/hungarys-illiberal-orban-israels-staunchest-friend-eu" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2025-04/bf37649beb4cfc302ded10e57b73e0b5039ae7ce.jpg?h=ddb1ad0c&itok=Ft-ac-MJ" width="870" height="489" alt="Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban hosts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Budapest this week" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/04/hungarys-illiberal-orban-israels-staunchest-friend-eu" > Hungary's 'illiberal' Orban, Israel's staunchest friend in the EU </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <span class="subtitle--l">Agence France-Presse</span> </div> </article> <article class="card card--afp card--default card--small"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <a href="/originals/2025/04/israels-netanyahu-arrives-hungary-defying-icc-warrant" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2025-04/476c66aa7231d79192a12d874b90e75d26287353.jpg?h=69f2b9d0&itok=2STlKP3-" width="870" height="489" alt="Hungary's Viktor Orban extended an invitation to Netanyahu last November, a day after the ICC issued the arrest warrant" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/04/israels-netanyahu-arrives-hungary-defying-icc-warrant" > Israel's Netanyahu arrives in Hungary, defying ICC warrant </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <span class="subtitle--l">Agence France-Presse</span> </div> </article> <article class="card card--afp card--default card--small"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <a href="/originals/2025/04/shiny-and-deadly-unexploded-munitions-threat-gaza-children" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2025-04/937660a0e7634dec1a28f9997a0722ff4cbc170e.jpg?h=69f2b9d0&itok=-oyCed7y" width="870" height="489" alt="Many casualties are children desperate for something to do or searching through the rubble" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/04/shiny-and-deadly-unexploded-munitions-threat-gaza-children" > Shiny and deadly, unexploded munitions a threat to Gaza children </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <span class="subtitle--l">Agence France-Presse</span> </div> </article> <article class="card card--afp card--default card--small"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <a href="/originals/2025/04/syria-says-deadly-israeli-strikes-blatant-violation" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2025-04/5b20ffb650e3a9c2bdfbcb0c521635d0fabe18c6.jpg?h=69f2b9d0&itok=eveVR8w4" width="870" height="489" alt="A portrait of ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad next to a national flag is slightly damaged by shrapnel outside the Barzeh scientific research centre north of the Syrian capital Damascus, after being targeted by a December 2024 Israeli airstrike" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/04/syria-says-deadly-israeli-strikes-blatant-violation" > Syria says deadly Israeli strikes a 'blatant violation' </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <span class="subtitle--l">Agence France-Presse</span> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-469b168c329b77f37954f88a7b45e39024b9192003c29d3668f4687f8c5773ae view--front-editors-choice view--front-editors-choice--featured"> <section class="section section--editors-choice section--front-page section--constrain item-list"> <div class="section--heading section--heading--constrain"> <div class="section--heading__start"> <h3 class="h3 h3--section-title h3--section-container-heading"> Editor's choice </h3> <p 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field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2025-03/GettyImages-1200176133.jpg?h=77bd3ecb&itok=vs36vE-k" width="480" height="480" alt="Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert speaks during a briefing on US President Donald Trump's Mideast peace plan on February 11, 2020 in New York. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas told the UN Security Council that the world should reject President Donald Trump's Middle East plan, which he said would limit Palestinian sovereignty in a "Swiss cheese" deal. "We reject the Israeli-American plan," which "throws into question the legitimate rights of the Palestinians," Abbas said, brandishing a large map of" /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__meta"> </div> </article> <article class="card card--interview card--default card--xsmall"> <div class="card__col-one"> <div class="card__type card__type--interview u-text-color--interview"> <span class="eyebrow u-text-transform--uppercase"> Interview </span> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/03/ai-superpowers-clash-saudi-tech-diplomat-pushes-collaboration-over-competition" > As AI superpowers clash, Saudi tech diplomat pushes collaboration over competition </a> </h2> </div> </div> <div class="card__col-two"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2025-03/GettyImages-2174197014.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=ZqtnNKFz" width="480" height="480" alt="Saudi digital economy expert Deemah Al-Yahya speaks onstage during the 2024 Concordia Annual Summit at Sheraton New York Times Square, New York, Sept. 24, 2024." /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <div class="name"> <span class="byline-pretext byline-pretext__inline"></span> <span class="subtitle--l">Deemah AlYahya </span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">Secretary General, Digital Cooperation Organization</div> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article class="card card--interview card--default card--xsmall"> <div class="card__col-one"> <div class="card__type card__type--interview u-text-color--interview"> <span class="eyebrow u-text-transform--uppercase"> Interview </span> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/02/amid-israels-rightward-shift-left-struggles-relevance" > Amid Israel's rightward shift, left struggles for relevance </a> </h2> </div> </div> <div class="card__col-two"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2025-02/yair%20golan%202.jpg?h=f0b086f0&itok=b9_8yf2o" width="480" height="480" alt="Yair Golan in Tel Aviv on Feb. 2, 2025. " /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2025-02/MK-Yair-Golan_ICT-Website-Photo.png?h=57024e64&itok=-2WTAX6y" alt="Yair Golan" /> </picture> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <div class="name"> <span class="byline-pretext byline-pretext__inline"></span> <span class="subtitle--l">Yair Golan</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">Chair of the Democrats Party</div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> <article class="card card--interview card--default card--large u-background-color--interview"> <div class="card__infoBox"> <div class="card__type card__type--interview u-text-color--interview"> <div class="pill pill--interview"> Interview </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__colOne"> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/03/israels-renewed-gaza-strikes-put-last-living-us-hostage-risk-family-warns" > Israel's renewed Gaza strikes put last living US hostage at risk, family warns </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__meta"> </div> </div> <div class="card__colTwo"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <a href="/originals/2025/03/israels-renewed-gaza-strikes-put-last-living-us-hostage-risk-family-warns" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/card_large/public/2025-03/GettyImages-1810386519.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=ZJSSbXOi" width="602" height="581" alt="Adi Alexander (C), father of Edan Alexander, attends a US House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia roundtable with family members of individuals being held hostage by Hamas, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on Nov. 29, 2023. " /> </a> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-1d0c347b4828ef9a1fe36346874b705b653d7d3859c1880495694f249424d479 view--analysis view--analysis--leading"> <section class="section section--analysis section--front-page section--constrain"> <div class="section--heading section--heading--default-grid section--heading--default-grid-reverse section--heading--constrain"> <div class="section--heading__start"> <h3 class="h3 h3--section-title h3--section-container-heading"> Analysis </h3> <p class="body body--s"> Stay a step ahead of your colleagues. </p> </div> <div class="section--heading__end"> </div> </div> <div class="section--content section--content--default-grid section--content--default-grid-reverse section--content--constrain"> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-3b44dfec90486b415ab1a778e2b26ce5ed576736a382438ac21d09ed1ec4d2c1 view--analysis view--analysis--list"> <div class="vertical-list"> <article class="card card--analysis card--default card--xsmall"> <div class="card__col-one"> <div class="card__type card__type--analysis u-text-color--analysis"> <span class="eyebrow u-text-transform--uppercase"> Analysis </span> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/04/irans-warning-it-could-go-nuclear-after-trumps-threat-bluff-or-more" > Is Iran's warning it could go nuclear after Trump's threat a bluff or more? </a> </h2> </div> </div> <div class="card__col-two"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2025-04/GettyImages-103498474%20copy.jpeg?h=0056308d&itok=rPwNU686" width="480" height="480" alt="A picture taken on Aug. 20, 2010, shows an Iranian flag fluttering at an undisclosed location in the Islamic republic next to a surface-to-surface Qiam-1 missile. " /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/an-al-monitor-correspondent-in-t.html" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2021-03/globe.png?h=6464a87b&itok=2ZdBWbNr" alt="A correspondent in Tehran" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/an-al-monitor-correspondent-in-t.html" > <div class="name"> <span class="byline-pretext byline-pretext__inline">By</span> <span class="subtitle--l">A correspondent in Tehran</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>Tehran</strong>, reporting on <strong>politics</strong></div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article class="card card--analysis card--default card--xsmall"> <div class="card__col-one"> <div class="card__type card__type--analysis u-text-color--analysis"> <span class="eyebrow u-text-transform--uppercase"> Analysis </span> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/04/how-criticism-trump-may-have-sunk-netanyahus-shin-bet-nominee" > How criticism of Trump may have sunk Netanyahu's Shin Bet nominee </a> </h2> </div> </div> <div class="card__col-two"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2025-04/GettyImages-1246628455.jpg?h=f340ea6c&itok=yf8oLuxd" width="480" height="480" alt="Former US President Donald Trump gestures as US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) addresses the crowd during a 2024 election campaign event in Columbia, South Carolina, on January 28, 2023. Trump hits the campaign trail Saturday for the first time in a third bid for the US presidency overshadowed by intensifying criminal investigations and a firestorm of political controversy. The twice-impeached Republican, whose party lost the White House and both chambers of Congress during his term, makes his case for anoth" /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/ben-caspit.html" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-04/Ben-Caspit-headshot.jpg?h=502e75fa&itok=N91f5MFO" alt="Ben Caspit" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/ben-caspit.html" > <div class="name"> <span class="byline-pretext byline-pretext__inline">By</span> <span class="subtitle--l">Ben Caspit</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>Tel Aviv</strong>, reporting on <strong>national security, Israeli politics, defense</strong></div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article class="card card--analysis card--default card--xsmall"> <div class="card__col-one"> <div class="card__type card__type--analysis u-text-color--analysis"> <span class="eyebrow u-text-transform--uppercase"> Analysis </span> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/03/can-gulf-states-slash-costly-reliance-western-consultancies" > Can Gulf states slash costly reliance on Western consultancies? </a> </h2> </div> </div> <div class="card__col-two"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2025-03/GettyImages-1231778738.jpg?h=67ca0ccd&itok=K4k7K4YT" width="480" height="480" alt="The PwC Tower, or Libeskind Tower, Milan, March 12, 2021. " /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/samuel-wendel" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-04/IMG_5242.jpg?h=502e75fa&itok=H_8mfdJw" alt="Samuel Wendel" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/samuel-wendel" > <div class="name"> <span class="byline-pretext byline-pretext__inline">By</span> <span class="subtitle--l">Samuel Wendel</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>Washington, DC</strong>, reporting on <strong>regional business and tech</strong></div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> <article class="card card--analysis card--default card--large u-background-color--analysis"> <div class="card__infoBox"> <div class="card__type card__type--analysis u-text-color--analysis"> <div class="pill pill--analysis"> Analysis </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__colOne"> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/04/can-trumps-middle-east-strategy-avert-military-confrontation-iran" > Can Trump's Middle East strategy avert military confrontation with Iran? </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/jared-szuba.html" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-04/IMG_2347.jpg?h=502e75fa&itok=LMgLq3kz" alt="Jared Szuba" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/jared-szuba.html" > <div class="name"> <span class="byline-pretext byline-pretext__inline">By</span> <span class="subtitle--l">Jared Szuba</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>Washington, DC</strong>, reporting on <strong>defense, national security, military</strong></div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__colTwo"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <a href="/originals/2025/04/can-trumps-middle-east-strategy-avert-military-confrontation-iran" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/card_large/public/2025-04/GettyImages-2207375413%20copy.jpeg?h=1d34674f&itok=2jDGaPmp" width="602" height="581" alt="President Donald Trump speaking during a swearing-in ceremony in the Oval Office at the White House on March 28, 2025, in Washington, DC. " /> </a> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-7ee5741b01b8dc871ee6fa8d9805ecf5611fd31cb70246549385ea2423e59d73 view--fp-events view--fp-events--teasers"> <section class="section section--recent-events section--gallery-3 section--front-page section--constrain"> <div class="section--heading section--heading--constrain view-content grid--featured-content grid--gallery-4"> <div class="section--heading__start"> <h3 class="h3 h3--section-title h3--section-container-heading"> ALM Events </h3> <p class="body body--s"> Convening global leaders, media pioneers, and regional entrepreneurs. </p> </div> <div class="section--heading__end"> <a class="link button button--secondary button--xsmall" href="/events" > See All </a> </div> </div> <div class="section--content section--content--constrain view-content grid--featured-content grid--gallery-4"> <article class="card card--event card--default card--medium card--not_first card--event--past"> <div class="card__infoBox"> <div class="event__status event__status--past"> <div class="pill pill--past"> Past Live Journalism </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_small/public/2024-12/AM5_2402.jpg?h=cbe3b01c&itok=4O2VVefs" width="720" height="405" alt="Anwar Gargash Event" /> </div> </div> <div class="card__content"> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/10/al-monitor-hosts-uae-presidential-advisor-anwar-gargash-unga-event" > UAE presidential advisor HE Dr. Anwar Gargash speaks at AL-Monitor event during UNGA </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__summary"> <a class="link" href="https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/10/al-monitor-hosts-uae-presidential-advisor-anwar-gargash-unga-event" > <div class="text-long"><p>On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York City, AL-Monitor hosted HE Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the UAE, for an off-the-record dinner and discussion at Le Jardinier of the Bastion Collection. The event was attended by thought and business leaders as well as former officials.</p></div> </a> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="event-meta"> <div class="event-meta__location"> <svg class="icon" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#locator-pin"></use> </svg> <span class="location-name">New York City, NY</span> </div> <div class="event-meta__time"> <div><time datetime="2024-09-26T22:00:00Z">September 26, 2024 18:00 EDT</time> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article class="card card--event card--default card--medium card--not_first card--event--past"> <div class="card__infoBox"> <div class="event__status event__status--past"> <div class="pill pill--past"> Past Live Journalism </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_small/public/2024-09/AM6_2446_0.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=bM8fpOPb" width="720" height="405" alt="Iraq PM Sudani event" /> </div> </div> <div class="card__content"> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/09/iraqs-sudani-us-troop-withdrawal-does-not-mean-end-security-relationship" > Iraq PM Sudani speaks at AL-Monitor/US Chamber of Commerce event during UNGA </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__summary"> <a class="link" href="https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/09/iraqs-sudani-us-troop-withdrawal-does-not-mean-end-security-relationship" > <div class="text-long"><p>At an event hosted by AL-Monitor and the US Chamber of Commerce, the prime minister discussed Iraq’s plan to achieve energy independence by 2030 and his desire to drawdown the US military presence in the country.</p></div> </a> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="event-meta"> <div class="event-meta__location"> <svg class="icon" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#locator-pin"></use> </svg> <span class="location-name">New York City, NY</span> </div> <div class="event-meta__time"> <div><time datetime="2024-09-25T22:00:00Z">September 25, 2024 18:00 EDT</time> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article class="card card--event card--default card--medium card--not_first card--event--past"> <div class="card__infoBox"> <div class="event__status event__status--past"> <div class="pill pill--past"> Past Live Journalism </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_small/public/2025-03/headshot_banner_ep37.png?h=2bacc77b&itok=32fumVCC" width="720" height="405" alt="onal" /> </div> </div> <div class="card__content"> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/09/al-monitor-hosts-turkish-ambassador-us-sedat-onal-salon-conversation" > Salon conversation with Turkey's Ambassador to the US Sedat Önal </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__summary"> <a class="link" href="https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/09/al-monitor-hosts-turkish-ambassador-us-sedat-onal-salon-conversation" > <div class="text-long"><div class="node__content"><div class="text-long"><p>AL-Monitor hosted the ambassador of Turkey to the United States, Sedat Önal, for an off-the-record discussion on a wide range of topics such as Turkey-US relations, the Gaza war and Turkey's military intervention in Syria. The event was attended by guests from media, private business, and government.</p></div></div></div> </a> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="event-meta"> <div class="event-meta__location"> <svg class="icon" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#locator-pin"></use> </svg> <span class="location-name">Washington, DC</span> </div> <div class="event-meta__time"> <div><time datetime="2024-09-12T20:00:00Z">September 12, 2024 16:00 EDT</time> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-fc001c3fe53306f9c8e5eeaceb219871914ffe745af6a18df570b15c84741df6 view--explore view--explore--block_1"> <section class="section section--our-journalists section--front-page section--constrain"> <div class="section--heading section--heading--constrain"> <div class="section--heading__start"> <h3 class="h3 h3--section-title h3--section-container-heading"> Our Journalists </h3> </div> <div class="section--heading__end"> <a class="link button button--secondary button--xsmall" href="/authors" > See All </a> </div> </div> <div class="section--content section--content--constrain"> <div class="scroller scroller--our-journalists"> <div class="scroller__content"> <div class="card card--profile"> <span class="profile-link"> <div class="card__content card__content--top"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <a href="/authors/samuel-wendel" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-04/IMG_5242.jpg?h=502e75fa&itok=H_8mfdJw" width="480" height="480" alt="Sam Wendel headshot (new)" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__content card__content--bottom"> <div class="card__name"> <h2 class="heading h6"> <a href="/authors/samuel-wendel" title="Samuel Wendel">Samuel Wendel</a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__job-title"> <div>Senior Market Research Analyst </div> </div> <div class="card__body"> In <strong>Washington, DC</strong>, reporting on <strong>regional business and tech</strong> </div> </div> </span> </div> <div class="card card--profile"> <span class="profile-link"> <div class="card__content card__content--top"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <a href="/authors/francesco-schiavi" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-07/francesco_schiavi.jpeg?h=55541bb6&itok=VJUF-hpi" width="480" height="480" alt="Francesco Schiavi" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__content card__content--bottom"> <div class="card__name"> <h2 class="heading h6"> <a href="/authors/francesco-schiavi" title="Francesco Schiavi">Francesco Schiavi</a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__job-title"> </div> <div class="card__body"> In <strong>Bologna</strong>, reporting on <strong>security, defense, economy, governance</strong> </div> </div> </span> </div> <div class="card card--profile"> <span class="profile-link"> <div class="card__content card__content--top"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <a href="/authors/amberin-zaman.html" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-06/AmberinZaman2-480x480.jpg?h=7f412c8f&itok=e2cJgWXs" width="480" height="480" alt="Amberin Zaman 2" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__content card__content--bottom"> <div class="card__name"> <h2 class="heading h6"> <a href="/authors/amberin-zaman.html" title="Amberin Zaman">Amberin Zaman</a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__job-title"> <div>Chief Correspondent</div> </div> <div class="card__body"> In <strong>Paris</strong>, reporting on <strong>geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture</strong> </div> </div> </span> </div> <div class="card card--profile"> <span 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