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Politics & Security

People inspect the remains of an Iranian missile that fell into the home of a Bedouin family in the Negev desert near Arad on October 2, 2024, in the aftermath of an overnight Iranian missile attack on Israel.

Analysis

As world awaits Israel's response to Iran, can US help stave off ‘all-out war’?

Benjamin Netanyahu mulls four options to respond to Iran, the US moves goalposts on containing the war, the Gulf looks for assurances on oil assets and more.

Andrew Parasiliti

ByAndrew Parasiliti

InWashington, DC,reporting ondiplomacy, regional politics, national security

In this handout image provided by the Iranian Leader's Press Office, Iranian Supreme leader Ali Khamenei (C) is seen alongside Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian (L), Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (2L), Judiciary Chief Mohsen Ejeie (2R) and Hezbollah representative in Iran Abdallah Safieddine reading the Koran during the Friday prayer ceremony on October 04, 2024 in Tehran, Iran.

Analysis

Iran's Khamenei seeks to navigate between defiance, de-escalation after missile salvo

In his first public Friday sermon in over four years, the Iranian leader demonstrated defiance yet seemed keen to avoid further escalation by signaling to Israel that Tehran has no appetite for a direct confrontation and prefers its regional proxies to wage the limited battle on its behalf.

A correspondent in Tehran

ByA correspondent in Tehran

InTehran,reporting onpolitics

Pictures of slain al-Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh hang on the facade of the building housing the television station's office in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, after Israel issued a 45-day closure order on September 22, 2024. Al Jazeera reported on September 22 that Israeli troops had raided its Ramallah bureau and informed journalists for the Doha-based network in the occupied West Bank to shutter operations. (Photo by JAAFAR ASHTIYEH / AFP) (Photo by JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

After Al Jazeera office closure, what's next for press freedom in Israel?

The closure of the Ramallah Al Jazeera office came after the office in Jerusalem was shut down by order of the Israeli government last May.

Mazal Mualem

InTel Aviv,reporting onpolitics

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian meets with regional leaders at the Asia Cooperation Dialogue in Doha on Oct. 2, 2024.

As Iran, Israel lurch toward war, Saudi Arabia seeks rapprochement with Tehran

Riyadh seeks assurances from Tehran that energy infrastructure in the region is spared amid talks of Israeli retaliation targeting Iranian oil and gas assets.

Latest News

After Iranian missile salvo, US braces for Israel’s next move

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men roll a missile debris from Iran's aerial barrage on April 13, located at a channel near the city of Arad, Israel, April 30, 2024.

Turkey sits out NATO drill in Greece despite detente with Athens

A Romanian Navy helicopter is pictured on the "King Ferdinand" frigate during "Sea Shield 24" exercise April 16, 2024.

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As Israel steps up attacks on Syria, is Bashar al-Assad next?

An armed man sits in front of a car damaged in a reported Israeli strike in Damascus on Oct. 2, 2024.

Analysis

Biden moves goalposts on containing war as Israel invades Lebanon

Smoke billows at the site of Israeli airstrikes in a south Beirut suburb, early on Oct. 2, 2024.

Jared Szuba

InWashington, DC,reporting ondefense, national security, military

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

InLondon,reporting ongeopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Ben Caspit

Israel Columnist

InTel Aviv,reporting onnational security, Israeli politics, defense

Elizabeth Hagedorn

State Department Correspondent

InWashington, DC,reporting ondiplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Ezgi Akin

Associate Editor (Turkey)

InAnkara,reporting ondiplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Jared Szuba

Pentagon Correspondent

InWashington, DC,reporting ondefense, national security, military

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

InNew York City,reporting onregional news, militancy, climate change

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends his first press conference, after taking office. on Sept. 16, 2024 in Tehran, Iran.

Pezeshkian in Qatar as Iran pushes to revive nuclear deal, isolate Israel

Coming just a day after Tehran launched a barrage of missiles at Israel, Iran is expecting the visit to serve as a multifaceted initiative, helping shape its future standing in the volatile landscape and boost prospects of sanctions relief to salvage its battered economy.

US navy men stand aboard the USS Eisenhower, one of the world's largest warships, off the Cypriot coast, Oct. 25, 2006.

US downplays Lebanon evacuation plans as all-out war looms

As State Department urges Americans to flee on a dwindling number of commercial flights, a private rescue group is laying the groundwork for potential evacuations from Lebanon.

A man checks the damages at a restaurant in the aftermath of an Iranian missile attack on Israel, on Oct. 2, 2024 in Tel Aviv.

Damage from Iran’s attack on Israel: What we know

Some Israeli bases sustained light damage, according to reports, while Iran hailed the attack as a success.

Defence Secretary John Healey visits RAF Akrotiri, during a visit to Cyprus to meet troops as the government steps up efforts for a potential evacuation of Lebanon.

US, China, France, others weigh Lebanon evacuation plans for nationals

The situation in Lebanon and the region has quickly deteriorated, prompting several countries to come up with plans to secure the safe evacuation of their nationals from the country.

This picture shows the remains of an Iranian missile on the ground in the Negev desert near Arad, on October 2, 2024, in the aftermath of an Iranian missile attack on Israel. Israel vowed to make Iran "pay" for firing a barrage of missiles at its territory, with Tehran warning on October 2 it would launch an even bigger attack it is targeted. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel’s four options for retaliating against Iran

On the eve of the Jewish New Year, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must decide how to respond to the Iranian missile attack against Israel.

InTel Aviv,reporting onnational security, Israeli politics, defense

Smoke billows during airstrikes in central Khartoum as the Sudanese army attacks positions held by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces throughout the capital, Khartoum, Sudan, Sept. 26, 2024.

What's behind attack on UAE ambassador in Sudan?

The UAE's role in Sudan is coming under greater scrutiny as the battle for power between rival groups SAF and RSF drags on into its 17th month.

United Arab Emirates

An Israeli army main battle tank moves at a position along the border with Lebanon in northern Israel on October 1, 2024. The Israeli army on October 1 said it launched a ground offensive in Lebanon and that its forces engaged in clashes, further escalating the conflict after a week of intense air strikes that killed hundreds. The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon said, however, the Israeli operation did not amount to a "ground incursion" and while Hezbollah denied any troops had crossed the border, an Isr

Analysis

Lebanon invasion: Will Israel stop at Litani River or go beyond?

Israel must decide how far its army will go, now that it launched a ground invasion into southern Lebanon, its first in 18 years.

Rina Bassist

InParis,reporting onIsraeli politics and European affairs

Palestinian youths inspect a fallen projectile after Iran launched a barrage of missiles at Israel in response to the killings of Lebanese Hezbollah leader Nasrallah.

Iran hard-liners applaud IRGC, Khamenei amid missile attack on Israel

Iran said the strike was in retaliation for Israel's killing of Hezbollah's leader, but it has placed Tehran closer than ever to a state of all-out conflict with Israel — a choice Iran has been avoiding since the outbreak of the Gaza war.

This picture shows Iranian launched projectiles being intercepted by Israel above Jerusalem, on Oct. 1, 2024.

Israel vows to retaliate against Iran after missile attack

Iran launched missiles toward Israel on Tuesday, just four days after Israeli strikes in Beirut killed the leader of the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement, Hassan Nasrallah.

A man walks in front of the entrance of a bomb shelter in the northern Israeli town of Safed on September 29, 2024. (Photo by Menahem Kahana / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

US warns Iran against 'imminent' ballistic missile attack on Israel

The White House warned that a direct military attack on Israel would carry “severe consequences” for Iran.

A man points to a television set displaying an image of the late leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah.

Analysis

Even with killing of Nasrallah, Hezbollah nowhere near defeated

Removing savvy and charismatic militant chieftains is a necessary, but not sufficient, counterterrorism measure. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed in October 2019, nearly five years ago, and the Islamic State, though attenuated, demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt and evolve.

Colin P. Clarke

ByColin P. Clarke

InPittsburgh, US,reporting oncounterterrorism, militancy

Refugees, mostly women and children, wait for a WFP food distribution point.

As war rages on, new Sudanese group hopes ‘localized’ aid can save lives

Activists and humanitarians who spoke to Al-Monitor said the grassroots initiative is crucial to aid efforts in Sudan due to the localized nature of their response and difficulties international organizations face in the country.