menu_open Columnists
Adam Lucente

Adam Lucente

Al Monitor

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Iran's IRGC says US troops in 'glass room' after Trump threat: What to know

Iran's IRGC says US troops in 'glass room' after Trump threat: What to know

The comments follow President Donald Trump repeating his assertion that the United States will “bomb” Iran if it does not agree to a new agreement...

previous day 2

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

US judge orders Trump admin to save 'Signalgate' chat

US judge orders Trump admin to save 'Signalgate' chat

A US judge ordered Donald Trump's administration on Thursday to preserve messages from a chat group used by top national security officials to discuss...

28.03.2025 2

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Trump withdraws Elise Stefanik’s nomination for UN ambassador: What to know

Trump withdraws Elise Stefanik’s nomination for UN ambassador: What to know

Stefanik is a strong supporter of the president and has been highly critical of the United Nations on Israel-related issues.

28.03.2025 4

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Egypt, China ink $1.65B deal for steel factories in Suez: What we know

Egypt, China ink $1.65B deal for steel factories in Suez: What we know

The deal was signed by Egypt’s General Authority of the Suez Canal Economic Zone and the Industrial Development Authority with Xin Feng Egypt Steel...

26.03.2025 7

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

What’s at stake for Iran-Armenia ties as Araghchi visits Yerevan?

What’s at stake for Iran-Armenia ties as Araghchi visits Yerevan?

Iran is looking to bolster regional alliances amid Turkey’s rise in influence and remains opposed to the Zangezur Corridor plan, according to experts.

25.03.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Syria's new government seizes 3 million Captagon pills in Aleppo

Syria's new government seizes 3 million Captagon pills in Aleppo

Authorities have pledged to crack down on Captagon as production and trade continue elsewhere in the region.

21.03.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

UAE brokers Ukraine-Russia swap for 350 prisoners: What we know

UAE brokers Ukraine-Russia swap for 350 prisoners: What we know

The Emirati mediation follows Saudi Arabia's hosting talks on the war and the UAE's boosting its ties with Ukraine.

20.03.2025 4

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Israel pushes militarily in southern Syria as new strikes kill 3: What we know

Israel pushes militarily in southern Syria as new strikes kill 3: What we know

Israel said earlier that it struck military sites in southern Syria while the government reported three civilians were killed.

18.03.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Saudi group buys 'Pokemon Go' for $3.5 Billion: What we know

Saudi group buys 'Pokemon Go' for $3.5 Billion: What we know

Saudi Arabia has spent billions of dollars on video games in recent years, but profitability remains a challenge in the adjacent esports industry.

12.03.2025 2

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Fear among Syrian Christians after deadly attacks

Members of Syria's small Christian community on the coast are living in fear after attacks killed more than 1,000 mostly Alawite civilians, with...

10.03.2025 3

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Syria's president announces deal to integrate Kurdish-led SDF into state structure

The new government in Damascus is seeking to integrate all armed groups in Syria under its command.

10.03.2025 3

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Turkey's Baykar partners with Italy’s Leonardo on drones: What to know

The joint venture could further boost Baykar’s drone fleet and comes amid improving Italy-Turkey trade ties.

06.03.2025 2

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

What’s behind Abbas’ amnesty gesture as Dahlan, others eye role in postwar Gaza?

The move relates to exiled rival Mohammed Dahlan and comes as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are pushing for reforms of the Palestinian...

06.03.2025 5

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Arab states back Egypt’s $53 billion Gaza plan, ‘technocratic’ administration

The plan, which additionally calls for the UN to consider sending peacekeepers to the Palestinian enclave, could face obstacles from Israel and Hamas.

05.03.2025 4

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Lebanon’s Aoun in Saudi Arabia seeking army support, $3 billion grant

Saudi Arabia is pleased with recent political developments in Lebanon, said one expert, and the president wants the kingdom to bolster aid to the...

03.03.2025 3

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

UAE, Pakistan expand cooperation during crown prince's first visit: What we know

Pakistan is looking to the UAE for economic help, with recent agreements focused on mining, ports and railways.

28.02.2025 1

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Trump’s AI Gaza video elicits mockery from Middle East social media users

The US president’s video depicting a future Gaza under American authority was widely shared on Arabic and Hebrew social media, with many Palestinian...

26.02.2025 3

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iran’s navy and IRGC hold missile drill in Indian Ocean as FM rules out US talks

Iran has unveiled various drones and held drills throughout the country this year.

26.02.2025 5

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Pro-Israel, Turkey-friendly in Syria: How Merz's win in Germany affects Middle East?

Germany’s chancellor-designate, Friedrich Merz, has called for more military support to Israel and criticized the current government over reduced...

25.02.2025 9

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

After losses in Khartoum, Sudan’s RSF to sign parallel government charter

Sudan has condemned Kenya for hosting a meeting led by the rebels, and the UN is warning the move could further divide the war-torn country.

21.02.2025 2

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

3 buses explode near Tel Aviv in suspected ‘terror attack’: What to know

Israel’s defense minister said they would boost operations in the West Bank in response to the explosions.

21.02.2025 4

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Opponents of Syria’s new government meet in Geneva, criticize Sharaa: What we know

The meeting was organized by longtime activist Haytham Manna and comes amid opposition to the interim government led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

20.02.2025 3

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iran unveils underwater suicide drone as US tensions grow: What we know

The showcasing of the unmanned aerial vehicle follows the unveiling of a new drone carrier warship and plans to develop a supersonic cruise missile.

13.02.2025 5

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Israeli raid in Jenin kills at least 25, displaces 40,000: What we know

The Israeli army has escalated its operation in the northern West Bank in the past three weeks, causing massive destruction of infrastructure, forcing...

11.02.2025 7

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

After sharing escape plan, Hafez Bashar al-Assad's alleged X account suspended

The son of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad posted about his family’s final days in Damascus before the rebel takeover.

11.02.2025 6

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Palestinian Authority ends ‘martyr’ payments in possible gesture to Trump

The Palestinian Authority has paid millions of dollars to families of assailants who have attacked Israelis in recent years, drawing scrutiny from the...

11.02.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Macron invites Syria’s Sharaa to France for first EU visit: What to know

France, like other EU countries, has expressed a desire to engage with Syria’s new administration and lift sanctions on the country.

06.02.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

UAE welcomes Iran naval delegation & ships in first such visit: What we know

The Emirati Defense Ministry said that four Iranian naval vessels arrived at the Port of Khalid in Sharjah on Tuesday for a three-day unprecedented...

04.02.2025 3

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iran to send four naval ships to UAE for rare meeting: What to know

The announcement of the first-ever visit came a day after Iran unveiled a new ballistic missile.

03.02.2025 4

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Egypt’s Suez Canal chief optimistic about Red Sea as attacks die down

The Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea have ceased owing to the ceasefire in Gaza, prompting Egypt to encourage shipping companies to resume...

01.02.2025 2

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iran’s Baha’is face escalating persecution amid crackdown: What to know

The United Nations has expressed concern over persecution of Baha'is in Iran as arrests mount.

30.01.2025 2

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Italy PM Meloni investigated over release of Libyan official: What we know

The Italian government is facing scrutiny after repatriating a Libyan security official wanted by the International Criminal Court.

30.01.2025 5

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Saudi Arabia, Italy sign $10B in deals during Meloni visit: What we know

Italy is a strong trading partner of Saudi Arabia's, and the two countries are eying cooperation on renewable energy.

28.01.2025 8

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iran confirms purchase of Russia’s Sukhoi-35 fighter jets: What we know

Iran and Russia have grown closer since the start of the Ukraine war as the two countries face international sanctions.

27.01.2025 4

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Hamas names hostages to be freed in next swap with Israel

Hamas named on Friday four Israeli "women soldiers" held hostage since October 7 whom it plans to release from captivity in a second exchange under a...

24.01.2025 6

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Saudi Arabia must punch its weight on global stage: minister

Saudi Arabia "needs to punch at (its) weight" on the global stage given its growing institutional presence and the return of Donald Trump, the...

24.01.2025 6

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Saudi Arabia seizes 1.4 million Captagon pills in latest drug bust

Syria is the main source of Captagon shipments to the Gulf and the new authorities in the country have pledged to crack down on the trade.

24.01.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Syria FM Shibani touts 'big opportunity for investment' in country at World Economic Forum

Asaad al-Shibani said Syria is not a threat to its neighbors and defended the transitional government’s actions during the first visit by a Syrian...

23.01.2025 5

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iraq passes law that could legalize child marriage: What to know

The controversial amendments were passed alongside laws on land disputes and amnesty for some crimes.

22.01.2025 4

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iraqi parliament passes law that could legalize child marriage: What to know

The controversial amendments were passed alongside laws on land disputes and amnesty for some crimes.

22.01.2025 6

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Israeli raid in West Bank kills 8 in Jenin as tensions soar

The operation follows Israeli concerns about the presence of Iran-backed groups in the Palestinian territory as well as a crackdown by the Palestinian...

21.01.2025 7

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan meets Syria's new leader

Chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court Karim Khan met Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on Friday, state media reported, as last...

17.01.2025 7

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Qatar pledges electricity, support for Syria as PM meets Sharaa in Damascus

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus to discuss bilateral relations,...

17.01.2025 5

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Qatar PM says Gaza truce, hostage release deal agreed

Qatar's prime minister announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed Wednesday to a ceasefire and the release of hostages held in Gaza, adding he hoped...

15.01.2025 6

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Syria arrests Egyptian Islamist who threatened to overthrow Sisi

Wanted Egyptian Ahmed al-Mansour was arrested by Syria’s transitional authorities.

15.01.2025 5

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Al-Waleed bin Talal announces Four Seasons to reopen in Beirut, Lebanon

The planned reopening of the hotel, which was damaged in the 2020 port explosion, follows Saudi-backed Gen. Joseph Aoun's becoming president of...

15.01.2025 6

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Pro-Assad militias clash with Syria security in Latakia: What we know

The incident, which left two members of the transitional security forces dead, marks the latest violent challenge to the new rulers' grip on power in...

14.01.2025 5

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Kuwait sentences 13 to prison over Hezbollah financing: What we know

Kuwait has had tense relations with Hezbollah in the past and the ruling comes as Saudi Arabia is reportedly pushing for the Iran-backed group to be...

13.01.2025 4

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Lebanon's Mikati set to meet Sharaa in Syria in wake of Aoun's election

Najib Mikati’s visit, the first in 15 years, comes amid pressure in Lebanon to release Islamists imprisoned during the civil war and just after the...

10.01.2025 3

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Khamenei pushes for US withdrawal from Iraq in meeting with Sudani

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s trip to Tehran is his first since the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and comes ahead of Donald...

08.01.2025 3

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente