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

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns#"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <style>/* @see https://github.com/aFarkas/lazysizes#broken-image-symbol */.js img.lazyload:not([src]) { visibility: hidden; }/* @see https://github.com/aFarkas/lazysizes#automatically-setting-the-sizes-attribute */.js img.lazyloaded[data-sizes=auto] { display: block; width: 100%; }/* Transition effect. */.js .lazyload, .js .lazyloading { opacity: 0; }.js .lazyloaded { opacity: 1; -webkit-transition: opacity 2000ms; transition: opacity 2000ms; }</style> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.al-monitor.com/" /> <link rel="shortlink" href="https://www.al-monitor.com/" /> <link rel="icon" href="/themes/custom/alm/icons/favicon.ico" /> <link rel="mask-icon" href="/themes/custom/alm/icons/globe.svg" /> <link rel="icon" sizes="16x16" href="/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-16x16.png" /> <link rel="icon" sizes="32x32" href="/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-32x32.png" /> <link rel="icon" sizes="96x96" href="/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-96x96.png" /> <link rel="icon" sizes="192x192" href="/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-192x192.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-60x60.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="72x72" href="/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-72x72.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="76x76" href="/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-76x76.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="114x114" href="/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-114x114.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="120x120" href="/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-120x120.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="144x144" href="/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-144x144.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="152x152" href="/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-152x152.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-180x180.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" href="/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-57x57.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="72x72" href="/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-72x72.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="76x76" href="/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-76x76.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="114x114" href="/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-114x114.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="120x120" href="/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-120x120.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="144x144" href="/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-144x144.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="152x152" href="/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-152x152.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="180x180" href="/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-180x180.png" /> <meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 10 (https://www.drupal.org)" /> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" /> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <meta name="apple-itunes-app" content="app-id=6478243264" /> <title>AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012</title> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_3lfSKd-8MhYAw3NFz6_hBXSvXdfFjX3vMB-laJd1SpA.css?delta=0&language=en&theme=alm&include=eJw9jEEOwyAMBD-EsHrsa5ABE9EYXNlum_6-JIdeRrMaaZEHoHq63QMubTLdLttYMnLI5E6a6HiKUU2t85oGG03SlctOtbtowlJEa5cJf4tN1xvNGhrjBici97knfOAR7GtOAzIahXenj8HFOKS-mH4aljoi" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://web-player.art19.com/assets/current.css" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Barlow:ital,wght@0,400;0,500;0,600;0,700;1,400;1,500;1,600;1,700&display=fallback" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_bPKW_yMoYF4CXSMsYd9iB0pMQ1MN4K8kyD9dMZgpNeY.css?delta=3&language=en&theme=alm&include=eJw9jEEOwyAMBD-EsHrsa5ABE9EYXNlum_6-JIdeRrMaaZEHoHq63QMubTLdLttYMnLI5E6a6HiKUU2t85oGG03SlctOtbtowlJEa5cJf4tN1xvNGhrjBici97knfOAR7GtOAzIahXenj8HFOKS-mH4aljoi" />  <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-PNJ4B4R');</script>  <script type="text/javascript" async>function r(e){/in/.test(document.readyState)?setTimeout("r("+e+")",9):e()}function callback(e){console.log("reply",e)}r(function(){var e=new XMLHttpRequest;e.onreadystatechange=function(){4==e.readyState&&200==e.status&&callback(e.responseText)};var t=window.location.href;e.open("POST","https://ipapi.optiryte.com/api/IP?Token=YOUR_TRACKING_CODE",!0),e.setRequestHeader("content-type","application/x-www-form-urlencoded"),e.send(t)});</script>  <script> !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)}; if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '966621336700630'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); // Circlebrain fbq('init', '1569525037283060'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); </script>   <script> !function(e,t,n,s,u,a){e.twq||(s=e.twq=function(){s.exe?s.exe.apply(s,arguments):s.queue.push(arguments); },s.version='1.1',s.queue=[],u=t.createElement(n),u.async=!0,u.src='//static.ads-twitter.com/uwt.js', a=t.getElementsByTagName(n)[0],a.parentNode.insertBefore(u,a))}(window,document,'script'); // Insert Twitter Pixel ID and Standard Event data below twq('init','nxhis'); twq('track','PageView'); </script>  </head> <body class="alias--front logged-out front dark-header fixed-header">  <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-PNJ4B4R" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>   <noscript><img height="1" width="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=966621336700630&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/></noscript>   <noscript><img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1569525037283060&ev=PageView&noscript=1" /></noscript> <a href="#main-content" class="visually-hidden focusable"> Skip to main content </a> <div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas> <div class="layout-container" data-overlay-visible="false"> <div class="alm-overlay"></div> <header id="header" class="header header--fixed header--dark"> <div class="header__inner"> <div class="header__primary"> <div class="header__primary_content"> <div class="header__search_nav"> <a href="#" id="toggle-expand" class="toggle-expand"> <svg class="toggle-expand__icon" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#discover"></use> </svg> <svg class="toggle-expand-dark__icon" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#discover-dark"></use> </svg> </a> <div class="header__search_links"> <a href="/explore" class="button--tertiary explore-search" title="Search and explore Al-Monitor"> <span class="icon"> <img class="default" src= "/themes/custom/alm/images/icons/magnifiying-glass.svg" aria-hidden="true" alt="search icon"/> <img class="on-hover u-display--none" src= "/themes/custom/alm/images/icons/magnifiying-glass-white.svg" aria-hidden="true" alt="search icon"/> </span> </a> <a href="/newsletter/subscribe" class="button button--bare button--xsmall">Newsletters</a> <a href="/events" class="button button--bare button--xsmall">Events</a> </div> </div> <div class="header__branding"> <a class="logo-link" href="/" > <img class="logo__image" src="/themes/custom/alm/images/logo.svg" alt="Logo" /> <img class="logo_dark__image" src="/themes/custom/alm/images/logo-dark.svg" alt="Logo" /> </a> </div> <div class="header__user_tools"> <div class="header__user_tools_links"> <div class="user-menu--container"> <ul class="user-menu" id="user-menu"> <li class="item"> <a href="/pro/subscribe" class="user-menu__link button button--primary button--xsmall" data-drupal-link-system-path="pro/subscribe">Subscribe</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/user/login?current=/originals/2020/01/egypt-pound-dollar-weak-economy-improve.html" class="user-menu__link button button--bare button--xsmall" data-drupal-link-system-path="user/login">Sign in</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="header__middle"> <div class="header__middle_content"> <h5 class="h5 h5--site-slogan"> The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012 </h5> </div> </div> <div class="header__secondary"> <div class="header__menu"> <div class="auxiliary-menu auxiliary-menu--header auxiliary-menu--before"> <button class="button button--bare button--close"> <svg class="icon" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#close"></use> </svg> <span class="visually-hidden">Close Menu</span> </button> <div data-bef-auto-submit-full-form="" data-bef-auto-submit="" data-bef-auto-submit-delay="500" data-bef-auto-submit-minimum-length="3" data-drupal-selector="views-exposed-form-search-page-1" class="block views-exposed-form bef-exposed-form"> <h2 class="h2">Search</h2> <form action="/search" method="get" id="views-exposed-form-search-page-1" accept-charset="UTF-8"> <div action="/search" method="get" id="views-exposed-form-search-page-1" accept-charset="UTF-8" class="placeholder-icon"> <svg width="33" height="33" viewBox="0 0 33 33" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="M26.3402 25.7728L21.3402 20.7728M7.00684 14.7728C7.00684 10.1704 10.7378 6.43945 15.3402 6.43945C19.9425 6.43945 23.6735 10.1704 23.6735 14.7728C23.6735 19.3752 19.9425 23.1061 15.3402 23.1061C10.7378 23.1061 7.00684 19.3752 7.00684 14.7728Z" stroke="#242424" stroke-width="1.5" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"/> </svg> </div> <div class="js-form-item form-item"> <input placeholder="Keywords, topics and authors" data-drupal-selector="edit-text" type="text" id="edit-text" name="text" value="" size="30" maxlength="128" class="form-text form-item__textfield" /> </div> <div data-drupal-selector="edit-actions" class="form-actions js-form-wrapper form-wrapper" id="edit-actions--2"> <button data-bef-auto-submit-click="" class="js-hide button js-form-submit form-submit search-submit-button button--imaged input-button-converted" data-drupal-selector="edit-submit-search" type="submit" id="edit-submit-search" value="Search"> <span class="icon"><?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <svg id="Layer_1" data-name="Layer 1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 33 33"> <defs> <style> .cls-1 { fill: none; stroke: #fff; stroke-linecap: round; stroke-linejoin: round; stroke-width: 1.5px; } </style> </defs> <path class="cls-1" d="M26.3,25.8l-5-5M7,14.8c0-4.6,3.7-8.3,8.3-8.3s8.3,3.7,8.3,8.3-3.7,8.3-8.3,8.3-8.3-3.7-8.3-8.3Z"/> </svg></span> <span class="text u-visually-hidden"> Search </span> </button> </div> </form> </div> </div> <nav role="navigation" aria-labelledby="block-alm-main-menu-menu" id="block-alm-main-menu"> <h2 class="visually-hidden" id="block-alm-main-menu-menu">Main navigation</h2> <nav> <div id="main-nav" class="main-nav"> <ul class="main-menu"> <li class="item"> <a href="/politics-security" class="main-menu__link">Politics & Security</a> </li> <li class="item item--separator"> <svg class="icon" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#menu-separator"></use> </svg> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/culture" class="main-menu__link">Culture</a> </li> <li class="item item--separator"> <svg class="icon" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#menu-separator"></use> </svg> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/technology" class="main-menu__link">Technology</a> </li> <li class="item item--separator"> <svg class="icon" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#menu-separator"></use> </svg> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/economy-business" class="main-menu__link">Economy & Business</a> </li> <li class="item item--separator"> <svg class="icon" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#menu-separator"></use> </svg> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/explore" class="main-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="explore">Explore</a> </li> <li class="item item--separator"> <svg class="icon" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#menu-separator"></use> </svg> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/interviews" class="main-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="interviews">Interviews</a> </li> <li class="item item--separator"> <svg class="icon" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#menu-separator"></use> </svg> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/events" class="main-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="events">Events</a> </li> <li class="item item--separator"> <svg class="icon" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#menu-separator"></use> </svg> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/authors" class="main-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="authors">Journalists</a> </li> <li class="item item--separator"> <svg class="icon" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#menu-separator"></use> </svg> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/newsletter/subscribe" class="main-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="newsletter/subscribe">Newsletters</a> </li> </ul> </div> </nav> </nav> <nav role="navigation" aria-labelledby="block-alm-secondarynavigation-menu" id="block-alm-secondarynavigation"> <h2 class="visually-hidden" id="block-alm-secondarynavigation-menu">Secondary Navigation</h2> <nav class="secondary-nav__wrapper" data-with-expander="true"> <div id="secondary-nav" class="secondary-nav"> <ul class="secondary-menu"> <li class="item"> <a class="country country--with-icon" 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> </li> <li class="item"> <a class="country country--with-icon" href="/syria" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#syria"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Syria</div> </a> </li> <li class="item"> <a class="country country--with-icon" href="/saudi-arabia" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#saudi-arabia"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Saudi Arabia</div> </a> </li> <li class="item"> <a class="country country--with-icon" href="/iran" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#iran"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Iran</div> </a> </li> <li class="item"> <a class="country country--with-icon" href="/united-arab-emirates" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#united-arab-emirates"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">United Arab Emirates</div> </a> </li> <li class="item"> <a class="country country--with-icon" href="/palestine" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#palestine"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Palestine</div> </a> </li> <li class="item"> <a class="country country--with-icon" 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> </li> <li class="item"> <a class="country country--with-icon" href="/egypt" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#egypt"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Egypt</div> </a> </li> <li class="item"> <a class="country country--with-icon" href="/china" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#china"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">China</div> </a> </li> <li class="item"> <a class="country country--with-icon" 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> </li> <li class="item"> <a class="country country--with-icon" href="/russia" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#russia"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Russia</div> </a> </li> <li class="item"> <a class="country country--with-icon" href="/qatar" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#qatar"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Qatar</div> </a> </li> <li class="item"> <a class="country country--with-icon" href="/lebanon" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#lebanon"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Lebanon</div> </a> </li> <li class="item"> <a class="country country--with-icon" href="/oman" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#oman"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Oman</div> </a> </li> <li class="item"> <a class="country country--with-icon" href="/iraq" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#iraq"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Iraq</div> </a> </li> <li class="item"> <a class="country country--with-icon" href="/jordan" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#jordan"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Jordan</div> </a> </li> <li class="item"> <a class="country country--with-icon" href="/algeria" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#algeria"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Algeria</div> </a> </li> <li class="item"> <a class="country country--with-icon" href="/bahrain" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#bahrain"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Bahrain</div> </a> </li> <li class="item"> <a class="country country--with-icon" href="/kuwait" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#kuwait"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Kuwait</div> </a> </li> <li class="item"> <a class="country country--with-icon" href="/libya" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#libya"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Libya</div> </a> </li> <li class="item"> <a class="country country--with-icon" href="/morocco" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#morocco"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Morocco</div> </a> </li> <li class="item"> <a class="country country--with-icon" 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> </li> <li class="item"> <a class="country country--with-icon" href="/tunisia" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#tunisia"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Tunisia</div> </a> </li> <li class="item"> <a class="country country--with-icon" href="/yemen" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#yemen"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Yemen</div> </a> </li> <li class="item"> <a class="country country--with-icon" href="/somalia" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#somalia"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Somalia</div> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="expander"> <button class="expander__button button button--alt button--border-thin button--small u-font-weight--semiBold" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="secondary-nav" aria-label="show all acountries"> See all </button> </div> </nav> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </header> <div class="main"> <a id="main-content" tabindex="-1"></a> <main role="main" class="main-content"> <div> <div id="block-alm-content" class="block"> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-2003c02ab2cd9e0692db557243c03df09cb1f5634bcd1585409b2daf87cba88a view--frontpage view--frontpage--page"> <article class="node node--view-mode-front-page-hero"> <div class="node__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"><div class="media media--type-image media--view-mode-front-page-hero"> <div> <picture loading="eager" data-lazy="1 87916" width="1280" height="1374" class="image" >  <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/front_page_hero_large/public/2025-04/GettyImages-2207592947.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=mbeUflEY 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1280px)" type="image/jpeg" width="1440" height="900"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/front_page_hero_medium/public/2025-04/GettyImages-2207592947.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=sykVD8Ol 1x" media="all and (min-width: 720px)" type="image/jpeg" width="1280" height="1374"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/front_page_hero_small/public/2025-04/GettyImages-2207592947.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=DEWpvIn0 1x" media="all and (max-width: 719px)" type="image/jpeg" width="720" height="1224"/>  <img class="image" src="/sites/default/files/styles/front_page_hero_medium/public/2025-04/GettyImages-2207592947.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=sykVD8Ol" alt="President Donald Trump arrives to speak during a "Make America Wealthy Again" trade announcement event in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 2, 2025 in Washington, DC. " /> </picture> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="node__content"> <div class="node__text_container"> <div class="node__content_header"> <div class="pill pill--breaking"> Breaking </div> <div class="eyebrow last-updated u-text-transform--uppercase"> Last Updated: April 7, 2025, 5:10 pm </div> </div> <div class="node__text"> <h2 class="h2"> <a class="h2__link" href="/originals/2025/04/trump-says-us-iran-direct-talks-over-nuclear-program" > <span>Trump says US, Iran in 'direct talks' over nuclear program</span> </a> </h2> <p class="summary__paragraph"> President Donald Trump said the two sides will hold a "very big meeting" on Saturday. </p> </div> <div class="node__meta"> <a class="country country--with-icon country--no-border" href="/iran" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#iran"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Iran</div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </article> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-82e61f9ec9d4394df547145f512b6b277523cb7235364add2a62d9d810e56720 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-- 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/egypt-france-jordan-call-end-gaza-offensive-cairo-summit-what-we-know" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2025-04/GettyImages-2208414955.jpg?h=827d3341&itok=0NKdt_XE" width="870" height="489" alt="Jordan's King Abdullah II, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and French President Emmanuel Macron sit together during their trilateral summit to discuss the situation in Gaza at the Presidential Palace in Cairo on April 7, 2025. " /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/04/egypt-france-jordan-call-end-gaza-offensive-cairo-summit-what-we-know" > Egypt, France, Jordan call for end to Gaza offensive in Cairo summit: What we know </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__summary"> <a class="link link--card-summary" href="/originals/2025/04/egypt-france-jordan-call-end-gaza-offensive-cairo-summit-what-we-know" > French President Emmanuel Macron signed several agreements in Egypt prior to the tripartite summit with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah on Gaza. </a> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <a class="country country--with-icon country--no-border" href="/egypt" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#egypt"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Egypt</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/pentagon-vows-ramp-houthi-strikes-trump-pursues-iran-talks" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2025-04/GettyImages-1362252788.jpg?h=751fc816&itok=NY4gJxEJ" width="870" height="489" alt="B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber flies over the 133rd Rose Parade Presented By Honda on Jan. 1, 2022 in Pasadena, California. " /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/04/pentagon-vows-ramp-houthi-strikes-trump-pursues-iran-talks" > Pentagon vows to ramp up Houthi strikes as Trump pursues Iran talks </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__summary"> <a class="link link--card-summary" href="/originals/2025/04/pentagon-vows-ramp-houthi-strikes-trump-pursues-iran-talks" > US stealth B-2 bombers began striking Houthi facilities in Yemen last week as the Trump administration hastens to pressure Iran into coming to the negotiating table before Israel's military can take matters into its own hands. </a> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <a class="country country--with-icon country--no-border" href="/iran" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#iran"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Iran</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/oil-prices-fall-gulf-economies-grapple-trumps-tariffs-what-know" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2025-04/GettyImages-1205775088.jpg?h=f728280d&itok=tSPAnirW" width="870" height="489" alt="A trader walks by beneath a stock display board at the Dubai Stock Exchange in the United Arab Emirates, on March 8, 2020. - Saudi's stock exchange fell 6.5 percent and other Gulf markets tumbled to multi-year lows at the start of trading after OPEC and its allies failed to clinch a deal over oil production cuts. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/04/oil-prices-fall-gulf-economies-grapple-trumps-tariffs-what-know" > Oil prices fall as Gulf economies grapple with Trump’s tariffs: What to know </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__summary"> <a class="link link--card-summary" href="/originals/2025/04/oil-prices-fall-gulf-economies-grapple-trumps-tariffs-what-know" > Falling oil prices could negatively impact the budgets of Gulf states and are coinciding with losses in the region’s stock markets. </a> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <a class="country country--with-icon country--no-border" href="/saudi-arabia" > <svg class="icon icon--country" > <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/alm/dist/icons.svg?v1.2#saudi-arabia"></use> </svg> <div class="country--name">Saudi Arabia</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/turkeys-simsek-says-economy-will-ride-out-trump-tariffs-without-lasting-scars" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2025-04/GettyImages-2188060113.jpg?h=a5f2f23a&itok=c-QHhZ4g" width="870" height="489" alt="Turkey's Minister of Finance Mehmet Simsek takes part in a panel discussion during the Doha Forum in the Qatari capital on December 7, 2024. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP) (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/04/turkeys-simsek-says-economy-will-ride-out-trump-tariffs-without-lasting-scars" > Turkey's Simsek says economy will ride out Trump tariffs without lasting scars </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__summary"> <a class="link link--card-summary" href="/originals/2025/04/turkeys-simsek-says-economy-will-ride-out-trump-tariffs-without-lasting-scars" > Mehmet Simsek stressed that his government’s economic program has made the economy more resilient against internal and external shocks, highlighting that inflation has fallen and continues to drop. </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__end"> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-97e324b477b482ffc76c35bd12f8d701e051aca5fb8c2c22001ae76d2b660943 view--frontpage view--frontpage--leading_rest"> <div class="vertical-list"> <h3 class="h3 h3--section-title"> Latest News </h3> <article class="card card--afp card--default card--xsmall"> <div class="card__col-one"> <div class="card__type card__type--afp u-text-color--afp"> <span class="eyebrow u-text-transform--uppercase"> </span> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/04/israel-targets-hezbollah-south-lebanon-us-envoy-visits" > Israel targets Hezbollah in south Lebanon as US envoy visits </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/ea15f51a93af104f2514ce76ae2bf1f67b3565a2.jpg?h=69f2b9d0&itok=ViifVVH8" width="480" height="480" alt="US envoy Morgan Ortagus in Beirut on Saturday, on a visit to discuss Hezbollah and economic reforms" /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <span class="subtitle--l">Agence France-Presse</span> </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/israel-expanding-syria-operations-buffer-zone-or-open-ended-campaign" > Israel expanding Syria operations: Buffer zone or open-ended campaign? </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-2206318184.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=5s2MBNEi" width="480" height="480" alt="An Israeli soldier checks a Merkava battle tank deployed at a position in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights along the border with southern Syria on March 25, 2025. " /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/adam-lucente.html" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://app.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-04/IMG_9342.jpg?h=502e75fa&itok=hsMyFzZN" alt="Adam Lucente" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/adam-lucente.html" > <div class="name"> <span class="byline-pretext byline-pretext__inline">By</span> <span class="subtitle--l">Adam Lucente</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>New York City</strong>, reporting on <strong>regional news, militancy, climate change</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/turkeys-defense-strategy-syria-stability-not-confrontation-israel" > Turkey's defense strategy in Syria: Stability, not confrontation with Israel </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-2191659059.jpg?h=f7df99a5&itok=LemWaqMM" width="480" height="480" alt="An anti-aircraft missile at a Syrian army position near the city of al-Safira, south of Aleppo, January 3, 2025, following reported Israeli strikes." /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/barn-kayaoglu.html" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-05/Barin%20%281%29.jpeg?h=55541bb6&itok=O4UKQ9xt" alt="Barin Kayaoglu" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/barn-kayaoglu.html" > <div class="name"> <span class="byline-pretext byline-pretext__inline">By</span> <span class="subtitle--l">Barin Kayaoglu</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>Ankara</strong>, reporting on <strong>geopolitics and national security</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/it-weighs-options-israels-anxiety-mounts-over-rushed-trump-iran-talks" > As it weighs options, Israel's anxiety mounts over rushed Trump-Iran talks </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-1686400.jpg?h=c4a7092f&itok=i2lwNjv-" width="480" height="480" alt="BUSHEHR, IRAN - JANUARY 13: (FILE PHOTO) This satellite image from Space Imaging shows a nuclear reactor facility January 13, 2002 near Bushehr, Iran. The U.S. believes this facility and others in Iran could be used by Iran to make nuclear weapons. (Photo by Space Imaging Middle East/Getty Images)" /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/rina-bassist.html" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-07/rina-480x480-light.jpg?h=7f412c8f&itok=9UXg2MsR" alt="Rina Bassist" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/rina-bassist.html" > <div class="name"> <span class="byline-pretext byline-pretext__inline">By</span> <span class="subtitle--l">Rina Bassist</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>Paris</strong>, reporting on <strong>Israeli politics and European affairs</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-56c18fa0b45fa1a03b267e7d967902c3557872db830e3a61d0ca62ea70893852 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/us-turns-blind-eye-says-american-palestinian-after-son-killed-israel" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2025-04/ddd48e3cdfb80624ae0ca65c0a79af90232924e7.jpg?h=69f2b9d0&itok=FCte4MSg" width="870" height="489" alt="Relatives mourn over the body of 14-year-old Palestinian-American Amer Rabee during his funeral in Turmus Ayya, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/04/us-turns-blind-eye-says-american-palestinian-after-son-killed-israel" > US 'turns a blind eye', says American-Palestinian after son killed by Israel </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/france-egypt-jordan-say-palestinian-authority-must-head-post-war-gaza" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2025-04/1684e223da6084d18fe0ba74bb212a63772bc07b_0.jpg?h=2d44e782&itok=iwSv5ehK" width="870" height="489" alt="Egypt" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/04/france-egypt-jordan-say-palestinian-authority-must-head-post-war-gaza" > France, Egypt, Jordan say Palestinian Authority must head post-war Gaza </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/red-crescent-says-israeli-troops-shot-gaza-crew-intent-kill" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2025-04/bce9ab0ee6dd8127192efbf3d5067a774bc5032d.jpg?h=69f2b9d0&itok=-tUE_zc9" width="870" height="489" alt="This image grab from a video released by the Palestine Red Crescent Society shows ambulances on the night of the shooting" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/04/red-crescent-says-israeli-troops-shot-gaza-crew-intent-kill" > Red Crescent says Israeli troops shot Gaza crew 'with intent to kill' </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/palestinians-west-bank-strike-demand-end-gaza-war" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2025-04/897bedffb42a4173fbabe77456764a65a84e29b3.jpg?h=69f2b9d0&itok=fzFU63HB" width="870" height="489" alt="Shops shut in Nablus to observe a general strike in the West Bank city in solidarity with Gaza" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/04/palestinians-west-bank-strike-demand-end-gaza-war" > Palestinians in West Bank strike to demand end to Gaza war </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-8e2509480cf7fa7d2d5c74440958a64cad6f1fdce804af4a43d3458832cd69c7 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 class="body body--s"> Three stories hand-picked by our editorial team. </p> </div> <div class="section--heading__end"> </div> </div> <div class="section--content section--content--constrain"> <ol class="list list--editors-choice"> <li class="item"> <article class="card card--ordered card--xsmall"> <div class="card__contentArea"> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading h5"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/03/china-opens-sharaa-uyghurs-and-reconstruction-shadow-future-ties-syria" > As China opens to Sharaa, Uyghurs and reconstruction shadow future ties with Syria </a> </h2> </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://app.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> <svg class="icon icon--separator" aria-hidden="true" role="img" > <use xlink:href="icons.svg?v1.2#menu-separator"></use> </svg> </div> </div> </article> </li> <li class="item"> <article class="card card--ordered card--xsmall"> <div class="card__contentArea"> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading h5"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/03/protests-over-imamoglu-arrest-rock-turkey-whats-next-erdogan" > As protests over Imamoglu arrest rock Turkey, what's next for Erdogan? </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/amberin-zaman.html" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://app.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-06/AmberinZaman2-480x480.jpg?h=7f412c8f&itok=e2cJgWXs" alt="Amberin Zaman" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/amberin-zaman.html" > <div class="name"> <span class="byline-pretext byline-pretext__inline">By</span> <span class="subtitle--l">Amberin Zaman</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>Paris</strong>, reporting on <strong>geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture</strong></div> </a> </div> </div> <svg class="icon icon--separator" aria-hidden="true" role="img" > <use xlink:href="icons.svg?v1.2#menu-separator"></use> </svg> </div> </div> </article> </li> <li class="item"> <article class="card card--ordered card--xsmall"> <div class="card__contentArea"> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading h5"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2025/03/ai-aluminum-and-chips-decoding-uaes-sheikh-tahnoons-visit-trump" > AI, aluminum and chips: Decoding UAE's Sheikh Tahnoon's visit to Trump </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/jack-dutton" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://app.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-04/Profile-shot-3-%281%29.jpg?h=502e75fa&itok=bfs8C-67" alt="Jack Dutton" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/jack-dutton" > <div class="name"> <span class="byline-pretext byline-pretext__inline">By</span> <span class="subtitle--l">Jack Dutton</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>Bristol</strong>, reporting on <strong>regional business, climate change, AI, tech</strong></div> </a> </div> </div> <svg class="icon icon--separator" aria-hidden="true" role="img" > <use xlink:href="icons.svg?v1.2#menu-separator"></use> </svg> </div> </div> </article> </li> </ol> <div class="ctaNewsletters ctaNewsletters--column"> <div class="ctaNewsletters__media ctaNewsletters__media--column" style="background-image: url('/themes/custom/alm/images/newsletters/newsletter-grid-updated.png')"></div> <div class="ctaNewsletters__content ctaNewsletters__content--column"> <div class="ctaNewsletters__heading ctaNewsletters__heading--"> <h2 class="heading"> Stay informed with our daily and weekly newsletters </h2> </div> <div class="ctaNewsletters__logos ctaNewsletters__logos--"> <div class="logoBanner"> <div class="logoBanner__heading"> <h3 class="heading h6"> Read By </h3> </div> <div class="logoBanner__logos"> <img class="image" src="/themes/custom/alm/images/logo-third-party/logo-white-house.svg" alt="White House logo" /> <img class="image" src="/themes/custom/alm/images/logo-third-party/logo-un.svg" alt="United Nations logo" /> <img class="image" src="/themes/custom/alm/images/logo-third-party/logo-eu.svg" alt="European Union logo" /> <img class="image" src="/themes/custom/alm/images/logo-third-party/logo-tcdb.svg" alt="Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo" /> <img class="image" src="/themes/custom/alm/images/logo-third-party/logo-fco.svg" alt="Foreign and Commonwealth Office logo" /> <img class="image" src="/themes/custom/alm/images/logo-third-party/logo-harvard.svg" alt="Harvard University logo" /> <img class="image" src="/themes/custom/alm/images/logo-third-party/logo-nato.svg" alt="NATO Logo" /> <img class="image" src="/themes/custom/alm/images/logo-third-party/logo-ministry-of-energy-saudi-arabia.svg" alt="Saudi Arabia Ministry Of Energy Logo" /> <img class="image" src="/themes/custom/alm/images/logo-third-party/logo-uae.svg" alt="United Arab Emirates Cabinet Logo" /> <img class="image" src="/themes/custom/alm/images/logo-third-party/logo-world-bank-2.svg" alt="World Bank logo" /> <img class="image" src="/themes/custom/alm/images/logo-third-party/logo-cfr.svg" alt="Council on Foreign Relations logo" /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ctaNewsletters__link"> <a class="link button button--alt" href="/newsletter/subscribe" > See all newsletters </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <section class="section section--city-pulse section--constrain"> <div class="section--content section--content--constrain"> <div class="block"> <div class="cta cta--city-pulse-interactive-signup" data-total-selected="1" > <div class="city-pulse-interactive-signup__container city-pulse-interactive-signup__container--first"> <div class="heading_container__column heading_container__column--one"> <p class="paragraph subtitle--s subheading"> Select one or more cities and get a weekly email for the latest in the arts, music, cuisine and entertainment. </p> </div> <div class="heading_container__column heading_container__column--two"> <div class="city-pulse-logo"> <img src="/themes/custom/alm/images/logo-citypulse.svg" alt="AL-Monitor City Pulse logo" aria-hidden="true"/> </div> </div> </div> <div class="city-pulse-interactive-signup__container city-pulse-interactive-signup__container--second"> <div class="subscribeForm"> <div class="subscribeForm__container subscribeForm__container--one"> <div id="city-pulse-form-wrapper"><form class="city-pulse-form" id="city-pulse-form" data-drupal-selector="city-pulse-form" action="/" method="post" accept-charset="UTF-8"> <div class="city_pulse_newsletter_options js-form-wrapper form-wrapper" data-drupal-selector="edit-city-pulse-newsletter-options" id="edit-city-pulse-newsletter-options"><div id="edit-newsletter-checkboxes" class="form-item--checkboxes"><div class="js-form-item form-item"> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-newsletter-checkboxes-a41af3fba28b03346190776b3e6b4940" type="checkbox" id="edit-newsletter-checkboxes-a41af3fba28b03346190776b3e6b4940" name="newsletter_checkboxes[a41af3fba28b03346190776b3e6b4940]" value="a41af3fba28b03346190776b3e6b4940" class="form-checkbox form-item__textfield" /> <label for="edit-newsletter-checkboxes-a41af3fba28b03346190776b3e6b4940" class="option form-item__label"><span class="city-pulse-newsletter-option" data-city="riyadh"><span class="newsletter-title">Riyadh</span><span class="frequency" hidden>Weekly</span><span class="description" hidden><p>A rundown of the latest cultural events and lifestyle trends in the Saudi commercial hub written weekly by Rebecca Proctor.</p></span></span></label> </div> <div class="js-form-item form-item"> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-newsletter-checkboxes-1fd75a068d1960ddd08ee2cc71436271" type="checkbox" id="edit-newsletter-checkboxes-1fd75a068d1960ddd08ee2cc71436271" name="newsletter_checkboxes[1fd75a068d1960ddd08ee2cc71436271]" value="1fd75a068d1960ddd08ee2cc71436271" class="form-checkbox form-item__textfield" /> <label for="edit-newsletter-checkboxes-1fd75a068d1960ddd08ee2cc71436271" class="option form-item__label"><span class="city-pulse-newsletter-option" data-city="istanbul"><span class="newsletter-title">Istanbul</span><span class="frequency" hidden>Weekly</span><span class="description" hidden><p>A weekly exploration of Istanbul’s vibrant arts and culture scene written by Turkish culture enthusiast Nazlan Ertan. The edition is packed with insights on key social happenings and off the beaten path recommendations.</p></span></span></label> </div> <div class="js-form-item form-item"> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-newsletter-checkboxes-2a69a053146868f29c45dc955c61def8" type="checkbox" id="edit-newsletter-checkboxes-2a69a053146868f29c45dc955c61def8" name="newsletter_checkboxes[2a69a053146868f29c45dc955c61def8]" value="2a69a053146868f29c45dc955c61def8" class="form-checkbox form-item__textfield" /> <label for="edit-newsletter-checkboxes-2a69a053146868f29c45dc955c61def8" class="option form-item__label"><span class="city-pulse-newsletter-option" data-city="dubai"><span class="newsletter-title">Dubai</span><span class="frequency" hidden>Weekly</span><span class="description" hidden><p>Rebecca Proctor offers a guide to Dubai’s nightlife, art and proliferating music and food scene as the Gulf metropolis solidifies itself as a regional culture hub.</p></span></span></label> </div> <div class="js-form-item form-item"> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-newsletter-checkboxes-0688501cab0523fb3dbb2e75df88529d" type="checkbox" id="edit-newsletter-checkboxes-0688501cab0523fb3dbb2e75df88529d" name="newsletter_checkboxes[0688501cab0523fb3dbb2e75df88529d]" value="0688501cab0523fb3dbb2e75df88529d" class="form-checkbox form-item__textfield" /> <label for="edit-newsletter-checkboxes-0688501cab0523fb3dbb2e75df88529d" class="option form-item__label"><span class="city-pulse-newsletter-option" data-city="doha"><span class="newsletter-title">Doha</span><span class="frequency" hidden>Weekly</span><span class="description" hidden><p>Reve Chaaban unpacks the latest from Doha’s culture and lifestyle scene and the influence of Qatari history on the city’s expanding arts landscape.</p></span></span></label> </div> </div> </div> <div class="email-submit-wrapper js-form-wrapper form-wrapper" data-drupal-selector="edit-email-submit-wrapper" id="edit-email-submit-wrapper"><div class="js-form-item form-item"> <label for="edit-email" class="visually-hidden js-form-required form-required form-item__label">Email</label> <input placeholder="Enter your email" data-drupal-selector="edit-email" type="email" id="edit-email" name="email" value="" size="60" maxlength="254" class="form-email required form-item__textfield" required="required" aria-required="true" /> </div> <div class="city-pulse-actions form-actions js-form-wrapper form-wrapper" data-drupal-selector="edit-actions" id="edit-actions"><input data-drupal-selector="edit-submit" data-disable-refocus="true" type="submit" id="edit-submit" name="op" value="Subscribe" class="button js-form-submit form-submit form-item__textfield" /> </div> </div> <div class="description-container js-form-wrapper form-wrapper" data-drupal-selector="edit-description-container" id="edit-description-container"><div class="dynamic-description js-form-wrapper form-wrapper" data-drupal-selector="edit-dynamic-description" id="edit-dynamic-description"><p>Each week, our on-the-ground writers in these cities cover the latest cultural happenings and trends, so you have everything you need to know for the best local experiences.</p></div> </div> <input autocomplete="off" data-drupal-selector="form-3rowbd5xf4jt2ep8-ruyqxzkt0kzjqnvax1hboruuee" type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form-3ROWbd5XF4jT2eP8_RuyqXZkT0KzJqNvaX1hboRUueE" class="form-item__textfield" /> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-city-pulse-form" type="hidden" name="form_id" value="city_pulse_form" class="form-item__textfield" /> <div class="url-textfield js-form-wrapper form-wrapper" style="display: none !important;"><div class="js-form-item form-item"> <label for="edit-url" class="form-item__label">Leave this field blank</label> <input autocomplete="off" data-drupal-selector="edit-url" type="text" id="edit-url" name="url" value="" size="20" maxlength="128" class="form-text form-item__textfield" /> </div> </div> </form> </div> </div> <div class="subscribeForm__container subscribeForm__container--two"> <div id="dynamic-image-container"> <img src="/themes/custom/alm/images/newsletters/istanbul.png" alt="" data-city="istanbul"> <img src="/themes/custom/alm/images/newsletters/doha.png" alt="" data-city="doha" data-parent-checked="true"> <img src="/themes/custom/alm/images/newsletters/dubai.png" alt="" data-city="dubai"> <img src="/themes/custom/alm/images/newsletters/riyadh.png" alt="" data-city="riyadh"> <div class="semi-circle"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-94e7be48737ae6ac12be12a2d170b66123872171ada89d86c8df9beaec15449d view--recent-podcasts view--recent-podcasts--default"> <section class="section section--recent-podcasts section--front-page section--constrain"> <div class="section--content section--content--constrain"> <div class="scroller scroller--recent-podcasts scroller--3-per-row"> <div class="scroller__header"> <div class="scroller__header_start"> <h3 class="h3 h3--section-title u-margin--none"> Podcasts </h3> <p class="body body--s"> Noteworthy and challenging dialogue on the Middle East. </p> </div> <div class="scroller__header_end"> <a class="link button button--secondary button--xsmall" href="/podcasts" > See all </a> </div> </div> <div class="scroller__content"> <article class="card card--podcast card--default card--medium card--not_first"> <div class="card__infoBox"> </div> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <a href="/podcasts/trump-envoy-ortagus-lebanon-amid-fragile-israel-hezbollah-ceasefire" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/2025-01/Adam%20Beatrice.png?h=6cc82bdb&itok=bxzVOZOF" width="1280" height="720" alt="Adam Lucente and Beatrice Farhat" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="card__content"> <div class="card__eyebrow"> The Al-Monitor Brief </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/podcasts/trump-envoy-ortagus-lebanon-amid-fragile-israel-hezbollah-ceasefire" > Trump envoy Ortagus in Lebanon amid fragile Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__author"> <span class="subtitle--l">Adam Lucente interviews Beatrice Farhat</span> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="byline byline--byline"> <div class="byline__media byline__media--audio"> <div class="micro-player"> <div class="art19-web-player awp-iframe awp-micro awp-theme-light-green" data-episode-id="df9b3b3c-f580-4e6f-bc59-c1df3cff0ff2"></div> </div> <div class="time_listen"> 10:06 </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article class="card card--podcast card--default card--medium card--not_first"> <div class="card__infoBox"> </div> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <a href="/podcasts/what-do-trumps-tariffs-mean-middle-east-0" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/2025-01/headshot_banner_ep38_4.png?h=6cc82bdb&itok=NPMIPH0q" width="1280" height="720" alt="Adam Lucente and Jack Dutton" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="card__content"> <div class="card__eyebrow"> The Al-Monitor Brief </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/podcasts/what-do-trumps-tariffs-mean-middle-east-0" > What do Trump’s tariffs mean for the Middle East? </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__author"> <span class="subtitle--l">Adam Lucente interviews Jack Dutton</span> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="byline byline--byline"> <div class="byline__media byline__media--audio"> <div class="micro-player"> <div class="art19-web-player awp-iframe awp-micro awp-theme-light-green" data-episode-id="ff063d09-8064-471c-a12b-ca7946fcd339"></div> </div> <div class="time_listen"> 8:17 </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article class="card card--podcast card--default card--medium card--not_first"> <div class="card__infoBox"> </div> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <a href="/podcasts/what-do-mass-protests-mean-future-turkey-erdogan" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/2025-03/Episode%2019X_1.png?h=2bacc77b&itok=ZUZz0fRi" width="1280" height="720" alt="Gonul/Lisel" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="card__content"> <div class="card__eyebrow"> On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/podcasts/what-do-mass-protests-mean-future-turkey-erdogan" > What do the mass protests mean for future of Turkey & Erdogan? </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__author"> <span class="subtitle--l">Amberin Zaman interviews Gonul Tol and Lisel Hintz</span> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="byline byline--byline"> <div class="byline__media byline__media--audio"> <div class="micro-player"> <div class="art19-web-player awp-iframe awp-micro awp-theme-light-green" data-episode-id="cf5cd116-8800-47e6-a821-7f832d328ddb"></div> </div> <div class="time_listen"> 29:23 </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-37ae62459a0f5e6ade486da3a4ed62c188a1b183ad4bbc27e4d1eaeeae072d73 view--interviews view--interviews--leading"> <section class="section section--interviews section--front-page section--constrain"> <div class="section--heading section--heading--default-grid section--heading--constrain"> <div class="section--heading__start"> <h3 class="h3 h3--section-title h3--section-container-heading"> ALM Interviews </h3> <p class="body body--s"> Exclusive conversations with Al-Monitor. </p> </div> <div class="section--heading__end"> <a class="link button button--secondary button--xsmall" href="/interviews" > See All </a> </div> </div> <div class="section--content section--content--default-grid section--content--constrain"> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-269a417f4cb43c3fc53ec891b80892c97a60da6396bd94f6a5f226d57b97c995 view--interviews view--interviews--list"> <div class="vertical-list"> <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/break-netanyahu-olmert-urges-israel-recognize-syrias-sharaa-open-dialogue" > In break with Netanyahu, Olmert urges Israel to recognize Syria’s Sharaa, open dialogue </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-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-aa0336b74a9c765a61945c9ccf49775b341e5f43842370f71714993a1f95e88e 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-47616aabd42d10a1bd272071a810becd4910cb1606b1b8345b672995fb2c556c 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/what-know-about-irans-missile-capabilities-amid-rising-us-israel-tensions" > What to know about Iran's missile capabilities amid rising US, Israel tensions </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-2198282384%20copy.jpeg?h=a5ae579a&itok=Tywx1BLc" width="480" height="480" alt="A pick-up truck that carries a moc-kup of a Shahab-3 missile and its launcher during a parade of an alleged 110,000 paramilitary Basij and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp forces in downtown Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 10, 2025. " /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/francesco-schiavi" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://app.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-07/francesco_schiavi.jpeg?h=55541bb6&itok=VJUF-hpi" alt="Francesco Schiavi" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/francesco-schiavi" > <div class="name"> <span class="byline-pretext byline-pretext__inline">By</span> <span class="subtitle--l">Francesco Schiavi</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>Bologna</strong>, reporting on <strong>security, defense, economy, governance</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/it-weighs-options-israels-anxiety-mounts-over-rushed-trump-iran-talks" > As it weighs options, Israel's anxiety mounts over rushed Trump-Iran talks </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-1686400.jpg?h=c4a7092f&itok=i2lwNjv-" width="480" height="480" alt="BUSHEHR, IRAN - JANUARY 13: (FILE PHOTO) This satellite image from Space Imaging shows a nuclear reactor facility January 13, 2002 near Bushehr, Iran. The U.S. believes this facility and others in Iran could be used by Iran to make nuclear weapons. (Photo by Space Imaging Middle East/Getty Images)" /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/rina-bassist.html" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-07/rina-480x480-light.jpg?h=7f412c8f&itok=9UXg2MsR" alt="Rina Bassist" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/rina-bassist.html" > <div class="name"> <span class="byline-pretext byline-pretext__inline">By</span> <span class="subtitle--l">Rina Bassist</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>Paris</strong>, reporting on <strong>Israeli politics and European affairs</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/turkeys-defense-strategy-syria-stability-not-confrontation-israel" > Turkey's defense strategy in Syria: Stability, not confrontation with Israel </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-2191659059.jpg?h=f7df99a5&itok=LemWaqMM" width="480" height="480" alt="An anti-aircraft missile at a Syrian army position near the city of al-Safira, south of Aleppo, January 3, 2025, following reported Israeli strikes." /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/barn-kayaoglu.html" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-05/Barin%20%281%29.jpeg?h=55541bb6&itok=O4UKQ9xt" alt="Barin Kayaoglu" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/barn-kayaoglu.html" > <div class="name"> <span class="byline-pretext byline-pretext__inline">By</span> <span class="subtitle--l">Barin Kayaoglu</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>Ankara</strong>, reporting on <strong>geopolitics and national security</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/2025/03/israel-expanding-syria-operations-buffer-zone-or-open-ended-campaign" > Israel expanding Syria operations: Buffer zone or open-ended campaign? </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/adam-lucente.html" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://app.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-04/IMG_9342.jpg?h=502e75fa&itok=hsMyFzZN" alt="Adam Lucente" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/adam-lucente.html" > <div class="name"> <span class="byline-pretext byline-pretext__inline">By</span> <span class="subtitle--l">Adam Lucente</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>New York City</strong>, reporting on <strong>regional news, militancy, climate change</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/2025/03/israel-expanding-syria-operations-buffer-zone-or-open-ended-campaign" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/card_large/public/2025-04/GettyImages-2206318184.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=88T5HmGA" width="602" height="581" alt="An Israeli soldier checks a Merkava battle tank deployed at a position in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights along the border with southern Syria on March 25, 2025. " /> </a> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-7e06740ea71e68584f4e54530c7ca4c003117509b3b6ac2ec245e38f1eea95d6 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-aab099944a330ef8fac9520abc63e542da23b4165e67e1ab95bbda400a154905 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 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/jennifer-gnana" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-08/Photo_Gnana-Jennifer_0.jpeg?h=63c8359f&itok=-pKDX8YY" width="480" height="480" alt="Jennifer Gnana headshot" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__content card__content--bottom"> <div class="card__name"> <h2 class="heading h6"> <a href="/authors/jennifer-gnana" title="Jennifer Gnana">Jennifer Gnana</a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__job-title"> <div>Gulf Correspondent</div> </div> <div class="card__body"> In <strong>Dubai</strong>, reporting on <strong>Gulf energy policy and politics</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/adam-lucente.html" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-04/IMG_9342.jpg?h=502e75fa&itok=hsMyFzZN" width="480" height="480" alt="Adam Lucente headshot (new)" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__content card__content--bottom"> <div class="card__name"> <h2 class="heading h6"> <a href="/authors/adam-lucente.html" title="Adam Lucente">Adam Lucente</a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__job-title"> <div>News and Business Correspondent</div> </div> <div class="card__body"> In <strong>New York City</strong>, reporting on <strong>regional news, militancy, climate change</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/jack-dutton" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-04/Profile-shot-3-%281%29.jpg?h=502e75fa&itok=bfs8C-67" width="480" height="480" alt="Jack Dutton headshot (new)" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__content card__content--bottom"> <div class="card__name"> <h2 class="heading h6"> <a href="/authors/jack-dutton" title="Jack Dutton">Jack Dutton</a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__job-title"> <div>Chief Business Correspondent </div> </div> <div class="card__body"> In <strong>Bristol</strong>, reporting on <strong>regional business, climate change, AI, tech</strong> </div> </div> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> </div> <footer class="footer"> <div class="footer__inner"> <div class="footer__top"> <div class="footer__footer_logo"> <a class="link" href="" > <img class="logo__image" src="/themes/custom/alm/images/logo.svg" alt="Logo" /> </a> <h5 class="h5 h5--site-slogan"> The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012 </h5> </div> <div class="footer__footer_cta"> <a href="/pro/subscribe" class="button button--secondary button--medium">Subscribe Now</a> </div> </div> <div class="footer__middle"> <div class="footer__middle_first"> <ul class="stacked-menu"> <li class="item"> <span class="stacked-menu__link">Countries</span> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/turkey" class="stacked-menu__link">Turkey</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/saudi-arabia" class="stacked-menu__link">Saudi Arabia</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/iran" class="stacked-menu__link">Iran</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/united-arab-emirates" title="United Arab Amirates" class="stacked-menu__link">UAE</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/israel" class="stacked-menu__link">Israel</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/palestine" class="stacked-menu__link">Palestine</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/egypt" class="stacked-menu__link">Egypt</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/qatar" class="stacked-menu__link">Qatar</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/lebanon" class="stacked-menu__link">Lebanon</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/syria" class="stacked-menu__link">Syria</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="footer__middle_second"> <ul class="stacked-menu"> <li class="item"> <a href="/iraq" class="stacked-menu__link">Iraq</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/jordan" class="stacked-menu__link">Jordan</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/oman" class="stacked-menu__link">Oman</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/bahrain" class="stacked-menu__link">Bahrain</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/kuwait" class="stacked-menu__link">Kuwait</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/yemen" class="stacked-menu__link">Yemen</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/libya" class="stacked-menu__link">Libya</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/sudan" class="stacked-menu__link">Sudan</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/tunisia" class="stacked-menu__link">Tunisia</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/morocco" class="stacked-menu__link">Morocco</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/algeria" class="stacked-menu__link">Algeria</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="footer__middle_third"> <ul class="stacked-menu"> <li class="item"> <span class="stacked-menu__link">Sectors</span> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/politics-security" class="stacked-menu__link">Politics & Security</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/economy-business" class="stacked-menu__link">Economy & Business</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/technology" class="stacked-menu__link">Technology</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/culture" class="stacked-menu__link">Culture</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/archives" class="stacked-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="archives">Our Archive</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="footer__middle_fourth"> <ul class="stacked-menu"> <li class="item"> <span class="stacked-menu__link">Terms of Use</span> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/visitor-agreement" class="stacked-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/29646">Visitor Agreement</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/privacy" class="stacked-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/29647">Privacy Policy</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/submission-guidelines" class="stacked-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/29648">Submissions and Discussions Policy</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="footer__middle_fifth"> <ul class="stacked-menu"> <li class="item"> <span class="stacked-menu__link">About Us</span> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/about" class="stacked-menu__link">About</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/authors" class="stacked-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="authors">Journalists</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/about#team" class="stacked-menu__link">Team</a> </li> <li class="item"> <a href="/about#opportunities" class="stacked-menu__link">Careers</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="footer__middle_sixth"> <div class="cta cta--mini cta--daily cta--simple" > <h2 class="heading h5"> Sign up to our Daily Briefing </h2> <p class="paragraph subtitle--s"> Keep up with Al-Monitor's top stories with a morning digest from across the region. </p> <div class="subscribeForm"> <form class="sign-up-form-1" target="_top" data-drupal-selector="sign-up-form-1" action="/" method="post" id="sign-up-form-1" accept-charset="UTF-8"> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-newsletter" type="hidden" name="newsletter" value="87e882df3ec4271bd20cb5064eb1ced3" class="form-item__textfield" /> <div class="js-form-item form-item"> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-email" type="email" id="edit-email--2" name="email" value="" size="30" maxlength="254" placeholder="Email Address" class="form-email required form-item__textfield" required="required" aria-required="true" /> </div> <button class="button--alt newsletter__submit button js-form-submit form-submit" data-submit-button-image-swap="" data-drupal-selector="edit-submit" data-disable-refocus="true" type="submit" id="edit-submit--2" name="op" value="Sign Up"> <span class="icon"><svg width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="M13.75 6.75L19.25 12L13.75 17.25" stroke="white" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"/> <path d="M19 12H4.75" stroke="white" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"/> </svg> </span> <span class="text u-visually-hidden"> Sign Up </span> </button> <input autocomplete="off" data-drupal-selector="form-8mazvboncnajczjml2jbtpiugigsjo20lgyzggqxflu" type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form-8maZvboncNAJCzjml2jBTpIugIGsjO20lgyZGgqxflU" class="form-item__textfield" /> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-sign-up-form-1" type="hidden" name="form_id" value="sign_up_form_1" class="form-item__textfield" /> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="footer__bottom_above"> <p>For subscription inquiries, please contact <a href='mailto:subscription.support@al-monitor.com'>subscription.support@al-monitor.com</a>.</p> <p>For all other inquiries, please use <a href="mailto:contactus@al-monitor.com">contactus@al-monitor.com</a>.</p> </div> <div class="footer__bottom"> <h5 class="h5 h5--copyright"> 2024 Al-Monitor, LLC. All rights reserved. </h5> <ul class="social-menu"> </ul> </div> </div> </footer> </div> </div> <script>window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; window.dataLayer.push({"language":"en","drupalCountry":null,"siteName":"AL-Monitor","userUid":0});</script> <script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","pathPrefix":"","currentPath":"front","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":true,"currentLanguage":"en"},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","suppressDeprecationErrors":true,"ajaxPageState":{"libraries":"eJx1UNFywyAM-yESbo_7Gs4EJ_VqcA-bLtnXj7Cu3ctedJIQQgdw9vAB-2SXKjFidXA61cLb-w9tOzFBPaaMpQ1rITumW2PFqeCnMpo97q1STAfbWCLwoBeE9Din0pOL5CEyUHmVNsX6VOHV6zcsWHtVHDLgfhPFFFbiLrXvMwnaYib7L_LbsFwxkUkNsCxSE0nxTzavtW_HklwCA4ajvxzxAneSqm5l2PwJM1O5hvPDHMPX4U9weqhh9hEU3Z36cj9wHrG_RpbUGL8BHPiPJw","theme":"alm","theme_token":null},"ajaxTrustedUrl":{"form_action_p_pvdeGsVG5zNF_XLGPTvYSKCf43t8qZYSwcfZl2uzM":true,"\/front?ajax_form=1":true,"\/search":true},"dataLayer":{"defaultLang":"en","languages":{"en":{"id":"en","name":"English","direction":"ltr","weight":0},"ar":{"id":"ar","name":"Arabic","direction":"rtl","weight":1},"he":{"id":"he","name":"Hebrew","direction":"rtl","weight":2},"ru":{"id":"ru","name":"Russian","direction":"ltr","weight":3},"tr":{"id":"tr","name":"Turkish","direction":"ltr","weight":4},"fr":{"id":"fr","name":"French","direction":"ltr","weight":5},"fa":{"id":"fa","name":"Persian, Farsi","direction":"rtl","weight":6},"zh-hans":{"id":"zh-hans","name":"\u7b80\u4f53\u4e2d\u6587","direction":"ltr","weight":7},"es":{"id":"es","name":"Spanish","direction":"ltr","weight":8}}},"lazy":{"lazysizes":{"lazyClass":"lazyload","loadedClass":"lazyloaded","loadingClass":"lazyloading","preloadClass":"lazypreload","errorClass":"lazyerror","autosizesClass":"lazyautosizes","srcAttr":"data-src","srcsetAttr":"data-srcset","sizesAttr":"data-sizes","minSize":40,"customMedia":[],"init":true,"expFactor":1.5,"hFac":0.8,"loadMode":0,"loadHidden":true,"ricTimeout":0,"throttleDelay":125,"plugins":[]},"placeholderSrc":"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==","preferNative":true,"minified":true,"libraryPath":"\/libraries\/lazysizes"},"multiselect":{"widths":250},"ckeditorAccordion":{"accordionStyle":{"collapseAll":1,"keepRowsOpen":0,"animateAccordionOpenAndClose":1,"openTabsWithHash":0}},"ajax":{"edit-submit--2":{"callback":"::promptCallback","wrapper":"sign-up-form-1","disable-refocus":true,"event":"mousedown","keypress":true,"prevent":"click","url":"\/front?ajax_form=1","httpMethod":"POST","dialogType":"ajax","submit":{"_triggering_element_name":"op","_triggering_element_value":"Sign Up"}},"edit-submit":{"callback":"::ajaxSubmitCallback","wrapper":"city-pulse-form-wrapper","disable-refocus":true,"effect":"fade","progress":{"type":"throbber","message":"Processing..."},"event":"mousedown","keypress":true,"prevent":"click","url":"\/front?ajax_form=1","httpMethod":"POST","dialogType":"ajax","submit":{"_triggering_element_name":"op","_triggering_element_value":"Subscribe"}}},"alm_pro":{"article":{"is_entitled":true}},"views":{"ajax_path":"\/views\/ajax","ajaxViews":{"views_dom_id:37ae62459a0f5e6ade486da3a4ed62c188a1b183ad4bbc27e4d1eaeeae072d73":{"view_name":"interviews","view_display_id":"leading","view_args":"","view_path":"\/front","view_base_path":"interviews","view_dom_id":"37ae62459a0f5e6ade486da3a4ed62c188a1b183ad4bbc27e4d1eaeeae072d73","pager_element":0},"views_dom_id:269a417f4cb43c3fc53ec891b80892c97a60da6396bd94f6a5f226d57b97c995":{"view_name":"interviews","view_display_id":"list","view_args":"","view_path":"\/front","view_base_path":"interviews","view_dom_id":"269a417f4cb43c3fc53ec891b80892c97a60da6396bd94f6a5f226d57b97c995","pager_element":0}}},"better_exposed_filters":{"autosubmit_exclude_textfield":true},"user":{"email":null,"fullName":null,"created":"1614634374","uid":0,"permissionsHash":"eb5b8e7f9a35037dae71da41d117d6e537cd231f5e6f408de3db6548b7bc18ea"},"chargebee":{"siteID":"al-monitor","publishableApiKey":"live_W8gcufvpOvNPnsp446ld8MOJ08WAd5cdO7","domain":"al-monitor.chargebee.com"}}</script> <script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_CC7daU0ghkUKHSv7yGdObv5lkLK9eEFEUItcbrSoUWw.js?scope=footer&delta=0&language=en&theme=alm&include=eJx1TkkOwyAM_BAJ6rGvQQ44qRuDKwNt0teXoC6nXkazWOMBjha0uNPZwEHrRkyg-xAx1W55Kvtwq5xxSPjIjKWg9mRhmYA7vSCEt0up5V5iFxEo_apqRv0q92uzCybUVjV16XC7ScbgZuImc1tVxOU6RSr_Tj4NfsVARdSB96KBJNkvG2eVNi4FE6AAw94-T3iBO4lmMzMs9oCRKa0OrrAZhuduDzB3amttx_GIXhqbeKQ"></script> <script src="https://web-player.art19.com/assets/current.js"></script> <script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_oREVLMSaCrrhfwxUQSSOf58mnDrCr4Cq8zObCKE73y4.js?scope=footer&delta=2&language=en&theme=alm&include=eJx1TkkOwyAM_BAJ6rGvQQ44qRuDKwNt0teXoC6nXkazWOMBjha0uNPZwEHrRkyg-xAx1W55Kvtwq5xxSPjIjKWg9mRhmYA7vSCEt0up5V5iFxEo_apqRv0q92uzCybUVjV16XC7ScbgZuImc1tVxOU6RSr_Tj4NfsVARdSB96KBJNkvG2eVNi4FE6AAw94-T3iBO4lmMzMs9oCRKa0OrrAZhuduDzB3amttx_GIXhqbeKQ"></script> <script src="/modules/contrib/ckeditor_accordion/js/accordion.frontend.min.js?su70lr"></script> <script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_GxfXcjs3pL-o_yCiBuRd604caiucqRYBAcYfBOTSn1Q.js?scope=footer&delta=4&language=en&theme=alm&include=eJx1TkkOwyAM_BAJ6rGvQQ44qRuDKwNt0teXoC6nXkazWOMBjha0uNPZwEHrRkyg-xAx1W55Kvtwq5xxSPjIjKWg9mRhmYA7vSCEt0up5V5iFxEo_apqRv0q92uzCybUVjV16XC7ScbgZuImc1tVxOU6RSr_Tj4NfsVARdSB96KBJNkvG2eVNi4FE6AAw94-T3iBO4lmMzMs9oCRKa0OrrAZhuduDzB3amttx_GIXhqbeKQ"></script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

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