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Adam Lucente

Adam Lucente

Al Monitor

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Syria’s top Islamic body issues decree against honor killings: What to know

US special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack referred to the decision as “great first steps,” though concerns persist about the new Islamist-led government.

previous day 2

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Trump travel ban bars entry from Iran, Libya, Sudan, Yemen

The president issued a number of travel bans largely aimed at Middle Eastern countries during his first term, and the new one targets countries the...

thursday 20

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iran says 13 ISIS affiliates arrested for planning suicide attacks

ISIS’ Khorasan branch has conducted numerous attacks against Iran in recent years, prompting authorities to pursue its members.

04.06.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Israel shells southern Syria, says Sharaa ‘directly responsible’ for threats

Regional players have been mediating talks between Israel and Syria in an effort to reduce tensions amid Israeli strikes on the country.

04.06.2025 7

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

PLO officials in Lebanon as push to disarm Palestinian camps gains steam

The effort to disarm Palestinian armed groups in Lebanon’s refugee camps will require outside support, according to one expert, as pressure to...

03.06.2025 4

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Egyptian national charged in attack at Colorado rally for Israeli hostages: What to know

The attack is the second in as many weeks targeting pro-Israel events in the United States and is being investigated by the FBI as an act of...

02.06.2025 7

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Egypt to ramp up ties with Belarus as Russia opens Red Sea consulate

Russia plans to open a new consulate in coastal Sharm el-Sheikh, following Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s visit to Moscow and signs of...

30.05.2025 5

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Tom Barrack talks Syria aid during Saudi Arabia, Jordan visits: What to know

The US and EU recently lifted numerous sanctions on Syria, and the country received a massive wheat shipment on Wednesday.

29.05.2025 4

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iran lashes out at Saudi Arabia over detained cleric: What to know

Iran-Saudi Arabia relations have improved in recent years, including with regard to Hajj-related cooperation, though issues remain over Iranian...

28.05.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Gulf states court China, ASEAN at landmark Malaysia summit: What to know

The Gulf Cooperation Council’s summit with the Southeast Asia bloc was expanded to include China, bringing the emir of Qatar and Saudi Arabia’s...

27.05.2025 3

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iraqi Kurdistan PM Barzani backs cautious engagement with Syria’s new rulers

Speaking at an Al-Monitor Global Institute Event in Washington, Barzani urged Kurdish unity and said Damascus must prove it can lead a divided Syria.

23.05.2025 9

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

China expands foothold in Egypt’s Suez with $17M garment deals

China has signed more than a billion dollars' worth of deals in the Suez Canal Economic Zone this year as the waterway reels from the Red Sea crisis.

20.05.2025 4

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Rubio says Syria could be weeks away from 'full-scale civil war'

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Tuesday that Syria could be weeks away from a fresh civil war of "epic proportions," as he called for support...

20.05.2025 3

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Russia’s Hmeimim base comes under attack in Syria: What to know

Russia is aiming to maintain its military bases in Syria following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, while a number of Syrians are currently...

20.05.2025 6

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Why US is offering $10M reward for info on Hezbollah in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay

Hezbollah maintains a presence in South America’s tri-border area as well as in friendly Venezuela.

20.05.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iran, Azerbaijan hold military drill in disputed Nagorno-Karabakh: What to know

Military cooperation between Iran and Azerbaijan is increasing as overall relations improve after years of tensions over Armenia and Israel.

19.05.2025 3

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

As Trump heads to UAE, tech and trade to dominate agenda, not defense

The Emirati official said that the US' easing of sanctions on Syria is “the right thing to do,” but expressed concerns about stability and safety...

15.05.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

As Trump lands in UAE, tech and trade to dominate agenda, not defense

The Emirati official said that the US' easing of sanctions on Syria is “the right thing to do,” but expressed concerns about stability and safety...

15.05.2025 20

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Egypt’s Sisi in Russia, meets Putin after military parade: What to know

Egypt and the Palestinian Authority both sent representatives to Russia for the annual World War II parade as they court ties with Moscow.

10.05.2025 4

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Thousands gather for rare peace event in Jerusalem

Thousands gathered for a rare peace event in Jerusalem on Friday, with the Gaza war in its 20th month, the UN warning of humanitarian catastrophe...

09.05.2025 9

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Egypt’s Sisi meets Putin at Russian military parade: What to know

Egypt and the Palestinian Authority both sent representatives to Russia for the annual World War II parade as they court ties with Moscow.

09.05.2025 3

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

UN Palestinian agency says irreplacable in Gaza

It is "very difficult" to imagine any operation to deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip without the UN agency for Palestinian refugees,...

09.05.2025 9

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iran’s IRGC unveils underground 'drone city': What to know

Iran has unveiled a number of weapons and bases and held military drills in 2025 amid tensions with the United States and Israel.

09.05.2025 4

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Saudi crown prince hosts Palestinian VP Sheikh days before Trump visit

The trip comes ahead of President Donald Trump's visit to the kingdom, as the Palestinian Authority eyes a role in postwar Gaza and Arab states push...

09.05.2025 20

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

As Iran lashes out, Trump undecided on changing ‘Persian Gulf’ to ‘Arabian Gulf’

Trump distanced himself from a report that he would instruct the government to stop using the term "Persian Gulf."

08.05.2025 4

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Goldman Sachs lowers oil forecast after OPEC+ boosts production: What to know

Saudi Arabia, Russia and other members of OPEC announced another major production increase, sending oil prices below $60 a barrel.

06.05.2025 3

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

OPEC+ moves up meeting as oil prices continue to drop: What to know

Saudi Arabia has signaled it is willing to live with lower oil prices as US President Donald Trump calls for more production.

02.05.2025 4

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Switzerland to ban Hamas on May 15, allowing expulsions: What we know

Historically neutral Switzerland moved to ban Hamas after the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, mirroring actions taken by others on the continent.

01.05.2025 20

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Venezuela’s VP meets emir in Qatar, looks to expand energy ties: What to know

Qatar has demonstrated interest in Venezuela’s recovering oil industry as well as mediation between the US and the South American country.

30.04.2025 5

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Saudi Arabia, Israel, Turkey rank in top 20 global military spenders: What to know

Regional military spending saw a significant increase in 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, amid conflicts in...

29.04.2025 20

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

From Al-Azhar to Turkey: Middle East dignitaries gather for Pope Francis' funeral

Lebanon, Turkey and Egypt are among the countries sending high-level delegations to Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral, while Israel is sending an...

25.04.2025 6

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Lebanon summons Iran’s ambassador in warning against Hezbollah interference

Iranian Ambassador Mojtaba Amani’s criticism of any plans to disarm Hezbollah sparked controversy in Lebanon as Beirut seeks to gradually bring...

24.04.2025 6

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Jordan bans Muslim Brotherhood: Here's what we know about the group

The Muslim Brotherhood, which calls for the Islamization of society, is popular throughout parts of the Arab world but has been banned by several...

24.04.2025 7

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Jordan bans Muslim Brotherhood as king visits Saudi Arabia

The decision follows an alleged plot against Jordan that authorities said was linked to the Islamist organization.

23.04.2025 4

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Oman’s sultan talks Iran-US nuclear mediation with Putin in first Russia visit

Historically neutral Oman has been mediating between the United States and Iran, as Russia seeks to strengthen its ties with the Gulf state.

23.04.2025 20

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Islamist leader among 2 dead in Israeli strikes on Lebanon

A leader from Hamas-aligned Lebanese Islamist group Jamaa Islamiya was among two people killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon on Tuesday, the group and...

22.04.2025 7

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Palestinian Islamic Jihad says Syria arrested 2 members: What we know

One of the US demands for sanctions relief on Syria is not engaging with Islamic Jihad, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups.

22.04.2025 6

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

White House denies staffer Merav Ceren’s ties to Israeli defense ministry: What to know

Ceren previously worked for the US Senate, and the administration downplayed reports of her past connection to the Israeli government.

22.04.2025 6

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Middle East churches, Al-Azhar, leaders mourn Pope Francis

Pope Francis was praised by several regional leaders and churches, including Lebanon's Maronite Church and Iraqi officials, who noted his historic...

21.04.2025 4

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Qatar and Russia to up investment by $2B as emir visits Moscow

Cooperation between Qatar and Russia on energy matters is growing, as Doha seeks to mediate between the Kremlin and Ukraine over the war.

17.04.2025 3

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

China, Egypt to hold first air force drill as military ties grow: What to know

The exercise scheduled for mid-April comes as Egypt-China ties are growing both militarily and economically despite US pressure on Cairo.

16.04.2025 4

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

'We just ran': survivors recount escape from famine-hit Sudan camp

Amna Hussein didn't stop when the bullet hit her hand. She kept on running as paramilitaries attacked Zamzam displacement camp in Sudan's western...

15.04.2025 4

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Jordan says 16 arrested in 'sabotage' plot involving rockets, drones

The plans, authorities said relate to manufacturing rockets and drones, possession of explosives and firearms and recruiting operatives in Jordan and...

15.04.2025 6

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Egypt's Sisi visits Qatar, nabs $7.5B in investments: What to know

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s trip to Doha comes amid Egypt’s moves to improve ties with Turkey and tensions with the UAE over the Gaza war.

14.04.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Syria’s Sharaa looks to boost ties with Turkey, Azerbaijan during Antalya visit

The new Syrian president was seeking international recognition at the Turkish forum, while Saudi and other Arab leaders met to discuss Gaza.

12.04.2025 20

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Syria’s Sharaa looks to boost ties with Turkey, Azerbaijan in Antalya visit

The new Syrian president was seeking international recognition at the Turkish forum, while Saudi and other Arab leaders met to discuss Gaza.

11.04.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Liam Lawson on 'crazy' season after Red Bull sacking

Liam Lawson on Thursday reflected on a "crazy" start to his first full season in Formula One.Axed after just two races by Red Bull he was demoted to ...

10.04.2025 4

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iran oil exports to China soar in March to 1.9M bpd despite US sanctions

The United States and Iran will hold negotiations on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program on Saturday as Tehran hopes to achieve sanctions relief.

10.04.2025 3

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Red Crescent says Israeli troops shot Gaza crew 'with intent to kill'

The Palestine Red Crescent Society said on Monday that 15 medics and rescuers killed by Israeli forces last month in Gaza were shot in the upper body...

07.04.2025 4

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Oil prices fall as Gulf economies grapple with Trump’s tariffs: What to know

Falling oil prices could negatively impact the budgets of Gulf states and are coinciding with losses in the region’s stock markets.

07.04.2025 3

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente