Gulf energy deals face Iran war stress test as global expansion meets oil shock ADNOC, Aramco and QatarEnergy have aggressively expanded their international portfolios in recent years, a strategy facing new constraints as the US-Israel-Iran war impacts Gulf production and…

NEW: Gulf energy deals face Iran war stress test as global expansion meets oil shock www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

What to make of Pakistan’s increased defense ties with Saudi Arabia With another round of US-Iran talks being planned in Islamabad, host Adam Lucente and Al-Monitor contributor Sabena Siddiqui go over Pakistan’s growing security ties to Saudi Arabia. They discuss…

NEW podcast: What to make of Pakistan’s increased defense ties with Saudi Arabia

With another round of US-Iran talks being planned in Islamabad, host Adam Lucente and Al-Monitor contributor Sabena Siddiqui go over Pakistan’s growing security ties to Saudi Arabia.
www.al-monitor.com/podcasts/wha...

Trump envoy Barrack’s embrace of 'strong leaders' sparks fury in Turkey Turkish opposition members say envoy Tom Barrack’s remarks praising “strong leaders” and monarchies undermine Turkey’s democratic tradition and embolden President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

NEW: Trump envoy Barrack’s embrace of 'strong leaders' sparks fury in Turkey

Turkish opposition members say envoy Tom Barrack’s remarks praising “strong leaders” and monarchies undermine Turkey’s democratic tradition and embolden President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Arrests, hangings, blackout: Iran cranks up wartime repression Iran has stepped up repression during the Middle East war with high-profile executions and hundreds of arrests, activists said on Tuesday, urging Washington to put human rights at the centre of any…

Arrests, hangings, blackout: Iran cranks up wartime repression www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Israel sees chance of US-Iran deal as almost 'non-existent,' readies for war As US President Trump makes contradictory statements regarding his intentions toward Iran and the ongoing negotiations, Israel is preparing for the possibility of resuming military operations.

Israel sees chance of US-Iran deal as almost 'non-existent,' readies for war
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Syria’s Sharaa makes fourth visit to Saudi Arabia, first since Iran war: What to know The visit comes in light of the deepening economic relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia post-Assad.

Syria’s Sharaa makes fourth visit to Saudi Arabia, first since Iran war: What to know, @beatricefarhat.bsky.social reports
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

NEOM’s new logistics look Saudi Arabia recasts NEOM as a regional logistics hub amid war disruption.

In this week's FutureVerse newsletter, @s-wendel.bsky.social explores how Saudi Arabia is recasting NEOM as a regional logistics hub amid war disruption
www.al-monitor.com/newsletter/2...

US boards Iran-linked tanker in Indian Ocean, vows pursuit of 'ghost fleet' The Pentagon said that "international waters are not a refuge" for vessels under US economic sanctions.

US boards Iran-linked tanker in Indian Ocean, vows pursuit of 'ghost fleet,' @jmszuba.bsky.social reports
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ holds talks with DP World on rebuilding Gaza, FT says April 21 (Reuters) - Representatives of U.S. President Donald Trump’s "Board of Peace" have held talks with state-owned Dubai multinational DP World about managing supply chains and infrastructure…

Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ holds talks with DP World on rebuilding Gaza, FT says
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Scam messages offering ships safe transit through Hormuz, security firm warns ATHENS, April 21 (Reuters) - Fraudulent messages promising safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for cryptocurrency have been sent to some shipping companies whose vessels are…

Scam messages offering ships safe transit through Hormuz, security firm warns
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Olmert: Only Israeli-Lebanon deal can curb Hezbollah, occupation 'unviable' Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Al-Monitor that Israel will only be able to defang Hezbollah if it reaches an agreement with the Lebanese government.

NEW: Olmert: Only Israeli-Lebanon deal can curb Hezbollah, occupation 'unviable'
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Pakistan confident Iran will attend US talks, senior Pakistani government source says April 20 (Reuters) - Pakistan is confident it can get Iran to attend talks with the United States, a senior Pakistani government official told Reuters on Monday. "We have received a positive signal…

Pakistan confident Iran will attend US talks, senior Pakistani government source says www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Two Iranians face US court in sanctions, arms trafficking cases: What to know The cases come as the United States pairs tighter sanctions with stepped-up enforcement targeting Iran’s global networks amid the war.

NEW: Two Iranians face US court in sanctions, arms trafficking cases: What to know www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Trump says Iran deal could happen 'quickly' as Pakistan readies talks: What to know A source familiar with the plans told Al-Monitor that the US delegation will travel to Islamabad soon.

NEW: Trump says Iran deal could happen 'quickly' as Pakistan readies talks: What to know www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

How Syria's border opening with Iraq redefines Turkey-Kurd balance After years of closure, the reopening of al-Yaaroubiya crossing is redrawing Kurdish economic leverage and reinforcing Turkey’s regional strategy.

After years of closure, the reopening of al-Yaaroubiya crossing is redrawing Kurdish economic leverage and reinforcing Turkey’s regional strategy, @amberinzaman.bsky.social writes
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Board of Peace envoy says Gaza plan needs quick progress, Hamas talks 'not easy' By Lili BayerBRUSSELS, April 20 (Reuters) - The Board of Peace’s lead envoy for Gaza told Reuters on Monday that he was “fairly optimistic” a plan for disarmament of Hamas and other militant groups…

Board of Peace envoy says Gaza plan needs quick progress, Hamas talks 'not easy'
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

MBS hosts Sudan's Burhan in Jeddah as $1.5B Saudi-backed arms deal stalls Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan traveled to Jeddah Monday for a visit that could be aimed at salvaging a $1.5 billion Pakistani arms deal Riyadh has reportedly blocked.

NEW: MBS hosts Sudan's Burhan in Jeddah as $1.5B Saudi-backed arms deal stalls www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Bahrain orders citizenship review as Iran war-linked crackdown escalates: What to know The move comes as Bahrain steps up arrests and tightens security measures amid the war, with authorities targeting alleged Iran-linked dissenters and considering additional citizenship revocations.

NEW: Bahrain orders citizenship review as Iran war-linked crackdown escalates: What to know

The move comes as Bahrain tightens security measures amid the war, targeting alleged Iran-linked dissenters and considering additional citizenship revocations.

www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

EU to restore Syria cooperation pact ahead of May talks: What to know The European Union has proposed the full resumption of a decades-old cooperation agreement with Syria ahead of high-level talks next month.

NEW: EU to restore Syria cooperation pact ahead of May talks: What to know

The European Union has proposed the full resumption of a decades-old cooperation agreement with Syria ahead of high-level talks next month. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Iran says 'no decision' yet on joining new round of US peace talks Iran said it had yet to decide whether to attend a new round of peace negotiations with the United States on Monday, casting uncertainty on a push to stop the Middle East war from resuming.US…

Iran says 'no decision' yet on joining new round of US peace talks
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Oil rises, Gulf stocks slide after Iran ship seizure throws truce into doubt In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, US President Trump said the US Navy fired at and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman.

NEW: Oil rises, Gulf stocks slide after Iran ship seizure throws truce into doubt

In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, US President Trump said the US Navy fired at and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Lebanon-Israel negotiations to continue even as Iran talks stall Lebanese President Joseph Aoun also said that Lebanon will lead the negotiations and that no other party will take part, emphasizing that this track is separate from any other talks.

NEW: Lebanon-Israel negotiations to continue even as Iran talks stall

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun also said that Lebanon will lead the negotiations and that no other party will take part, emphasizing that this track is separate from any other talks. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

More than 20 vessels pass Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, Kpler data shows SINGAPORE, April 20 (Reuters) - More than 20 vessels passed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, data from shipping analytics firm Kpler showed, the highest number of ships crossing the waterway since…

More than 20 vessels pass Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, Kpler data shows
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Iran's president stresses importance of diplomacy while noting distrust of U.S DUBAI, April 20 (Reuters) - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that every rational and diplomatic path should be used to reduce tensions with the U.S., but added that vigilance and…

Iran's president stresses importance of diplomacy while noting distrust of US
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

World weighs fate of Mideast ceasefire after US seizes Iranian cargo ship By Daphne Psaledakis and Hatem MaherWASHINGTON/CAIRO, April 20 (Reuters) - Concerns grew on Monday that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran might not hold after the U.S. said it had…

World weighs fate of Mideast ceasefire after US seizes Iranian cargo ship
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

UAE official says opening Hormuz integral to any Iran deal, describes infrastructure damage 'manageable' Abdulla Balalaa, UAE assistant minister of foreign affairs for energy and sustainability, spoke to Al-Monitor about the situation in the Gulf along with the UAE's focus on promoting privatization in the...

INTERVIEW: UAE official Abdulla Balalaa says opening Hormuz integral to any Iran deal, describes infrastructure damage 'manageable' www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Pakistan prime minister speaks with Iran's president April 19 (Reuters) - Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday that he spoke with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian about the conflict in the Gulf.During the talk, Sharif shared…

Pakistan prime minister speaks with Iran's president www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Pakistan tightens security in Islamabad ahead of US-Iran talks Security in Pakistan's capital Islamabad was stepped up visibly on Sunday ahead of peace talks between the United States and Iran in the coming days.President Donald Trump said US negotiators will be…

Pakistan tightens security in Islamabad ahead of US-Iran talks www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

NEW: Pakistan’s quiet fighter jet deployment to Saudi Arabia signals Gulf anxiety

As US-Iran talks unfold, Islamabad balances mediation with a growing military role in the kingdom. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

NEW: As Lebanon-Israel talks loom, can Syria help in curbing Hezbollah?

In the post-Assad landscape, Damascus is seeking to reshape its role as a reluctant neighbor aiming to curb Hezbollah while steering clear of deeper entanglement. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...