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Adam Lucente

Adam Lucente

Al Monitor

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International outrage grows over Israel's plans for West Bank

International outrage was growing on Monday at Israeli plans to tighten the country's grip over the occupied West Bank, with the United Nations chief...

10.02.2026 7

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

MBZ hosts Sisi as Saudi Arabia and UAE jockey for regional influence

Economic ties between Egypt and the UAE are strengthening thanks to large Emirati investments in the North African country.

10.02.2026 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iran steps up arrests while remaining positive on US talks

Iran stepped up its crackdown on Monday after recent protests, with more arrests, while holding the door open to Washington for further nuclear...

09.02.2026 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

In Syria, Sharaa's brothers take spotlight with Saudi, Russian dealings

Hazem al-Sharaa is playing a key role in Syria’s economic development and ties with the Gulf, while Maher al-Sharaa is involved in diplomacy with...

09.02.2026 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iran names Ali Shamkhani head of Defense Council: What to know

Ali Shamkhani, a longtime security official, recently dismissed the idea of sending enriched uranium abroad and expressed a degree of hope about the...

06.02.2026 8

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

UAE President meets Putin in Russia to discuss nuclear energy, trade, Iran

The visit of Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed comes a day after the Kremlin hosted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

29.01.2026 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iranian officials vow 'harsh' response as Trump threatens action: What to know

Iranian officials signaled openness to a nuclear deal but warned they would retaliate against any US military strike.

29.01.2026 9

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iraq to prosecute ISIS detainees transferred from Syria: What to know

The repatriation of Iraqis accused of Islamic State ties from Syria has reignited security concerns in Iraq.

23.01.2026 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Sharaa tells Iraq's Barzani Kurds integral to Syria amid fears of Aleppo spillover

More than 140,000 people have been displaced by fighting between Syrian government and Kurdish forces in Aleppo and the situation has captured...

09.01.2026 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iran sees largest protest day as regime cuts internet: What to know

Thousands of Iranians protested across the country on Thursday evening in one of the biggest challenges to Islamic Republic rule in decades.

09.01.2026 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Deadly clashes resume in Syria's Aleppo between government, Kurdish forces

ALEPPO, Syria, Jan 7 - Fierce fighting resumed in Syria's northern city of Aleppo between government forces and Kurdish fighters for a second day on...

07.01.2026 9

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Yemen separatists accuse Saudi Arabia of 'betrayal' as Riyadh ups strikes

Southern Transitional Council head Aidarus al-Zubaidi did not board a scheduled flight to Saudi Arabia for talks as Riyadh intensified its...

07.01.2026 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Syria's Sharaa, Saudi crown prince discuss economic ties as SDF clashes flare

Syria is facing a number of security challenges amid sectarian tensions as it rebuilds its economy.

06.01.2026 8

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

With central role for Qatar, can Gulf states mediate between US and Venezuela?

Venezuela's ties improved with Gulf states under Maduro, and some in the region voiced concern about the US operation.

06.01.2026 40

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Yemen separatists launch two-year independence transition as strikes kill 20

Yemen's UAE-backed separatists announced a two-year transition to independence Friday despite reporting 20 deaths in airstrikes from a Saudi-led...

03.01.2026 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Yemen separatists announce two-year independence transition in shock move

Yemen's UAE-backed separatists announced a two-year transition to an independent state on Friday after seizing swathes of territory in a lightning...

02.01.2026 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Yemen's STC aims to hold an independence referendum in two years

Jan 2 (Reuters) - Yemen's southern separatist movement said on Friday it aims to hold a referendum on independence from the north in two years...

02.01.2026 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iran's protests: What we know

Iran has been rocked this week by protests that started in Tehran and have spread to other cities, with at least six people killed in clashes with...

02.01.2026 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Yemen’s STC announces self-determination process for south: What to know

The announcement by the UAE-backed separatist group follows major escalations with Saudi Arabia and the internationally-recognized government.

02.01.2026 20

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

What's next for Yemen as UAE withdraws, rift with Saudi Arabia grows?

The escalating conflict in Yemen poses challenges to both the Saudi-backed government and the UAE’s position in the country, but may benefit the...

31.12.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Israel recognises Somaliland, Somalia's breakaway region, as independent state

(Fixes spelling in "breakaway" in headline)Dec 26 (Reuters) - Israel has recognised Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, as an "independent and ...

26.12.2025 30

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Two dead in Palestinian attack in Israel, Israeli authorities say

JERUSALEM, Dec 26 (Reuters) - A Palestinian assailant ran over a man and stabbed a woman and killed them both in northern Israel on Friday, Israeli...

26.12.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

As UAE-Saudi rivalry heats up, Yemen’s STC accuses Riyadh of airstrikes

The incident followed Saudi Arabia criticizing the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council’s military offensive, which has sent shockwaves...

26.12.2025 20

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Syria's Shibani talks defense, economic ties with Russia's Putin during Moscow visit

The visit is the second to Russia for Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and Defense Minister Maj. Gen. Murhaf Abu Qasra, and follows other...

24.12.2025 30

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Syria seizes anti-aircraft missiles near Iraqi border: What to know

The Syrian government is stepping up efforts to combat arms smuggling, including in relation to Hezbollah, Kurdish-led forces and ISIS.

23.12.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

India’s Modi eyes closer ties with Jordan, Oman during visits

Modi’s two-day visit to Jordan made investments and economic cooperation a central piece of the talks with Amman.

16.12.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Saudi Arabia cements ties with Sudan during Burhan visit as UAE rivalry heats up

The Sudanese leader may be looking to increase Saudi support following losses on the battlefield as Riyadh weighs its security interests in the...

16.12.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Gaza struggles to pull bodies from rubble as storms rock damaged buildings

GAZA, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Authorities in Gaza warned on Monday that more ​war-damaged buildings may collapse because of heavy ​rain in the...

15.12.2025 9

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iran Nobel winner unwell after 'violent' arrest: supporters

Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi was taken to hospital twice after being violently arrested last week, her supporters said Monday,...

15.12.2025 9

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Ahmed al-Ahmed, Syrian-Australian who fought off Hanukkah attackers, recovering from surgery

Ahmed is recovering from surgery after being injured while tackling one of the shooters during an attack on a Jewish gathering in Australia, as he...

15.12.2025 30

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Three IRGC members killed near Iran-Pakistan border: What to know

Iran is seeking closer cooperation with Pakistan on security amid unrest on their shared border and an insurgency by Baluchi groups.

10.12.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

World Cup: Iran fumes over LGBTQ+ themes as Jordan qualifies for first time

Morocco is hoping to build on its historic run in 2022, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and others in the region similarly vying to build on recent...

10.12.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Saudi Arabia and Qatar ink high-speed rail deal advancing Gulf integration

Saudi Arabia is seeking to boost its railway infrastructure, and longstanding efforts to connect Gulf states by train are finally gaining momentum.

09.12.2025 60

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Former PM Kadhimi: Vote shows Iraqis turning toward new leadership

Mustafa al-Kadhimi told Al-Monitor that the strong performances of parties that ran on their own, as opposed to those on lists, indicate a desire to...

26.11.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Trump plans terror designation for Muslim Brotherhood: What to know

US President Donald Trump signed Monday an executive order stipulating that "certain chapters or other subdivisions of the Muslim Brotherhood shall...

24.11.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Trump says he has 'nothing to do with the family business'

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he has nothing to do with his family business as the Trump Organization and a...

19.11.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

MBS pledges Saudi investment of $1T in Trump meeting

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the move is in line with Saudi Arabia's investment strategy, particularly its desire to increase computing...

19.11.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Trump likely to sell F-35 fighters to Saudis, Bloomberg News reports

-U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to reach a deal with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman allowing Riyadh to acquire F-35 stealth fighter...

15.11.2025 8

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Israel condemns Syria over purported Oct. 7 musical event: What to know

Israel, which has tense relations with Syria's new government, condemned a concert allegedly commemorating Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack, though the...

15.11.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

After 13 hours, 150 Gazans allowed to enter South Africa: What to know

The group were reportedly stranded for several hours after opting to leave the war-torn Palestinian enclave.

14.11.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iraq’s PM Sudani ahead in early election count, path to power uncertain

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani is not guaranteed to stay on even if his list wins.

12.11.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

'Sayyid says': Influential Shiite cleric's supporters boycott Iraq vote

When Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr gives an order, his supporters listen. On Tuesday, as many Iraqis lined up to cast their votes for a new...

11.11.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iraq polls close as early signs point to low turnout: What to know

Turnout by midday was just 23.9%, according to authorities, indicating Iraq could be on track for another record low rate of participation.

11.11.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iran doubles down on Venezuela support as Trump ups threats: What to know

Iran is seeking to boost ties with Venezuela and has expressed solidarity following US strikes targeting drug smugglers off the country's coast,...

06.11.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iraq elections: Sadr renews calls for boycott one week out from vote

Iraq’s next election has exposed considerable divides among Shiite politicians as Muqtada al-Sadr sits out and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia...

04.11.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Rape case against movie star Pejman Jamshidi rocks Iran: What to know

The accusations against Jamshidi, one of Iran’s most famous celebrities, come amid ongoing discussions about women’s lack of rights in the...

30.10.2025 20

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iraq hit by wave of political violence weeks ahead of national election

Authorities work to step up security ahead of the upcoming vote, which could again be marked by low turnout amid widespread frustration with the...

29.10.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Qatar slams US lawmaker over allegations of funding anti-Israel protests: What to know

Rep. Randy Fine criticized Qatar for allegedly backing Gaza war-related protests at American universities after the Pentagon said Qatari pilots...

28.10.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Grappling with Western sanctions, Iran, Belarus strengthen military ties

Defense-related cooperation between Iran and Belarus has accelerated considerably in recent years, particularly after Belarusian President Alexander...

23.10.2025 70

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Iran welcomes conditional release of Iranian student in France

DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran welcomed the conditional release of an Iranian student from French prison, the country's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday,...

22.10.2025 10

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente