Al-Monitor Staff

Al Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East

Al-Monitor Staff

Iraq | Aug 1, 2023

UK formally recognizes genocide against Yazidis by Islamic State

The United Kingdom is the latest country to recognize the 2014 mass slaughter of Yazidis by the Islamic State as genocide.

Egypt | Jul 31, 2023

Why Senate Democrats are urging Biden to withhold part of Egypt's military aid

The letter led by Sen. Chris Murphy called for the Biden administration to withhold $320 million from Egypt's annual military assistance package.

A picture taken during a guided tour organized by Egypt's State Information Service on Feb. 11, 2020.

Turkey | Jul 28, 2023

Erdogan taps ex-NY Fed official as Turkey's deputy Central Bank head

In a major reshuffle, the Turkish president has dismissed all three deputy Central Bank governors as his government ramps up efforts to regain the confidence of Western investors.

The front page of the Hurriet Daily news displays a headline of yesterdays interest rate hike at a news stand on June 23, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. The Turkish Lira weakened to a record low of 25.74 against the dollar, a day after the central bank hiked interest rates from 8.5 percent to 15 percent in the first rate decision since the appointment of new central bank governor Hafize Gaye Erkan and the re-election of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last month. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia | Jul 27, 2023

Top White House officials meet MBS to talk Saudi-Israel normalization

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh as the White House seeks to further integrate Israel into the Middle East.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (C) arrives at the Palais Brongniart for the New Global Financial Pact Summit in Paris on June 22, 2023. Dozens of global leaders are gathering in Paris on June 22 for a summit to tease out a new consensus on international economic reforms to help debt-burdened developing countries face a growing onslaught of challenges, particularly climate change. (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN / POOL / AFP) (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon | Jul 21, 2023

Fire engulfs Syrian refugee camp in Lebanon as plight grows

Syrians in Lebanon face arbitrary arrests, raids and deportation.

Syrian refugees salvage belongings from the wreckage of their shelters at a camp set on fire overnight in the northern Lebanese town of Bhanine on Dec. 27, 2020.

Gulf | Jul 21, 2023

Pentagon sends US Marines to deter Iran tanker seizures in Persian Gulf

A Marine Expeditionary Unit will follow F-35s, F-16s and a Navy destroyer in deployment to the region to ward off Tehran's retaliatory seizures.

A US Navy Martin UAV drone flies over the Gulf waters as Royal Bahrain Naval Force Abdulrahman Al Fadhel takes part in joint naval exercise between US 5th Fleet Command and Bahraini forces, Oct. 26, 2021.

Turkey | Jul 20, 2023

Israel's Netanyahu to visit Turkey after 14 years as ties with Erdogan improve

Once archenemies, Netanyahu and Erdogan will meet for the first time after many years of conflict.

This combination of pictures created on April 1, 2018 shows a file photo taken on November 19, 2017 of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) attending the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem and a file photo taken on December 15, 2017 of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the inauguration ceremony of Turkey's first automated urban metro line on the Asian side of Istanbul. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Benjamin Netanyahu on April 1, 2018 of being "a terrorist" after the I

Turkey | Jul 18, 2023

Turkey, Russia discuss Ukraine grain export deal after Moscow halts pact

The conversation between the top Russian and Turkish diplomats comes as Ankara is amping up its efforts to salvage the deal critical for global food markets.