Welcome to The Al-Monitor Brief.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Al-Monitor’s correspondent in Beirut, Beatrice Farhat, joins host Adam Lucente to discuss the highly anticipated Lebanese cabinet session on the army plan to disarm Hezbollah. The discussion focuses on the army’s support for a phased disarmament, the real possibility of conflict in Lebanon over the issue, and why Israeli strikes may be undermining the government’s efforts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Al-Monitor’s news reporter, Rosaleen Carroll, joins host Adam Lucente to discuss this week's Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in China. Rosaleen, who is currently authoring the Al-Monitor China-Middle East newsletter, takes us through the key highlights of Iran's, Egypt's and Turkey’s participation in the summit and what it all means for Chinese strategy in the region. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The head of Al-Monitor’s Israel Pulse, Rina Bassist, joins host Adam Lucente to discuss Israel’s latest military actions in Syria, Lebanon and Yemen. The conversation touches on the reasons Israel is striking Damascus amid de-escalation talks, the rising military prowess of the Houthis, and how Trump administration pressure is influencing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policy towards Hezbollah. They conclude with a discussion on the importance of the E3 of European countries reimposing snapback sanctions against Iran. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Al-Monitor’s newsletter and content editor, Gabrielle Debinski, joins host Adam Lucente to discuss Australia’s decision to expel the Iranian ambassador after alleging the Islamic Republic was behind two antisemitic attacks in the country, and the significance of the move for Australia’s relations with both Iran and Israel. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Al-Monitor’s State Department correspondent, Elizabeth Hagedorn, joins host Adam Lucente to discuss the upcoming talks between Iran, the United Kingdom, France and Germany over the Iranian nuclear program, as well as the potential for so-called snapback sanctions and why negotiations with the Trump administration have stalled. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Al-Monitor host Adam Lucente provides an update on the war in Sudan, including new government restrictions on the gold trade, a drone strike on a United Nations convoy, and efforts by the Trump administration to mediate in the conflict. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Al-Monitor Brief host Adam Lucente provides an overview of significant developments in Iran this week, including Russian plans to build nuclear reactors in the country, a Ukrainian attack on an Iranian weapons shipment, and a controversial visit by South Africa’s top commander to Tehran. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Al-Monitor’s correspondent in Ankara, Ezgi Akin, joins host Adam Lucente to discuss the recent Turkey-Syria defense cooperation deal, including Turkish security priorities in Syria, what the agreement means for Israel’s actions in the country, and why a conflict with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces is not a given, despite rising tensions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Al-Monitor’s Israel Pulse columnist Ben Caspit joins host Adam Lucente to discuss Israel’s plan to take control of Gaza City, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s domestic political considerations, why military leadership opposes the move, and potential issues with the post-war plan for the enclave. Al-Monitor Israel Pulse chief Rina Bassist also chimes in on the implications of Germany stopping arms exports to Israel over the plan and where the Trump administration stands. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Al-Monitor’s correspondent in Beirut Beatrice Farhat joins host Adam Lucente to discuss Lebanon’s plan to disarm Hezbollah, including whether it meets US demands on the issue, the prospects of internal conflict in the country, and the potential economic benefits of such a move. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Al-Monitor’s chief business correspondent Jack Dutton joins host Adam Lucente to discuss the effects US President Donald Trump’s tariffs will have on the Middle East, including potential benefits to Gulf economies, the dynamics of the oil exemption, who is most vulnerable to threats over trading with Russia, & what leverage regional states may have to negotiate new trade deals. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Al-Monitor’s Israel Pulse chief Rina Bassist joins host Adam Lucente to discuss the latest on the Gaza war, including what the influx of aid means for the ceasefire and hostage talks with Hamas, whether reported proposals to annex the territory are credible, and the growing international pressure towards recognizing a Palestinian state. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Al-Monitor’s State Department correspondent Elizabeth Hagedorn joins host Adam Lucente to discuss where the Gaza ceasefire and hostages talks stand after another setback, possible alternatives to reaching a deal, and what the Trump administration is doing in response to reports of a worsening hunger crisis in the Palestinian enclave. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Al-Monitor’s chief correspondent Amberin Zaman joins host Adam Lucente to discuss why Turkey is worried about violence between Druze and Bedouin fighters in southern Syria’s Suwayda, as well as how the situation might strengthen the hand of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in their negotiations with Damascus. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Al-Monitor host Adam Lucente provides an overview of the latest in southern Syria’s Suwayda, including news on the renewed fighting in violation of the ceasefire, the different actors in the Druze community, the US-brokered Israel-Syria ceasefire, and the challenges facing the Syrian government, regional states and the United States. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Al-Monitor’s Israel Pulse columnist Ben Caspit joins host Adam Lucente to discuss the latest Israeli military actions in Syria following violence between Druze and Bedouins in the south, including how the escalation will affect normalization talks between Israel and Syria and why the Israeli government is so interested in the plight of the Druze religious minority. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Al-Monitor’s Palestine Pulse columnist Daoud Kuttab joins host Adam Lucente to discuss his recent interview with Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian, as well as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ efforts to court US President Donald Trump and how US policies in the region are perceived in Ramallah. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Al-Monitor’s State Department correspondent Elizabeth Hagedorn joins host Adam Lucente to discuss Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trip to Washington and meetings with President Donald Trump, including what type of nuclear deal the US wants with Iran and if such an accord is possible, the points of contention between Israel and Hamas over a new ceasefire, and whether Trump is reviving his plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Al-Monitor’s correspondent in Ankara Ezgi Akin joins host Adam Lucente to discuss the prolonged court case over the Republican People’s Party (CHP) leadership, including how it could hurt the opposition party’s growing popularity and benefit Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan amid economic struggles and efforts to amend Turkey’s constitution. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.