menu_open Columnists
Amberin Zaman

Amberin Zaman

Al Monitor

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Turkey set to sign charter for Saudi-led Red Sea coalition on Friday

Ankara pledged support for the proposed multinational alliance last month, but Friday’s expected signing will mark its formal entry into the...

thursday 0

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Fidan heads to Egypt amid questions over Saudi Arabia-Turkey-Pakistan pact

Conflicting accounts of why Egypt stayed out of the agreement have exposed the competing interests shaping the region’s emerging defense architecture.

12.08.2026 1

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

‘A claim to be tested’: Can Saudi Arabia-Turkey-Pakistan defense pact deter Iran?

The pact commits the three countries to collective defense, bringing together NATO's second-largest army, the Muslim world's only nuclear power and...

07.08.2026 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan sign joint defense agreement

The pact commits the three countries to collective defense, bringing together NATO's second-largest army, the Muslim world's only nuclear power and...

07.08.2026 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syria's Shibani updates Turkey on Kurds' integration, slams Israel during Ankara visit

The visit highlighted Ankara's growing influence in post-Assad Syria, with the two neighbors expanding strategic coordination on security and regional...

06.08.2026 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

How Turkey's PKK amnesty law entwines Kurds' hopes with Erdogan's ambitions

The first legislation to emerge from direct negotiations with Abdullah Ocalan offers a path to ending Turkey's war with the PKK while potentially...

05.08.2026 1

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Iraqi Kurdish president’s meeting with Syria’s Sharaa signals shift in SDF dynamics

KRG President Nechirvan Barzani’s meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa underscored the Kurdistan Region’s growing role in Syria’s...

03.08.2026 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

US nears full withdrawal from Iraq as bases in Kurdistan region face attacks from Iran, proxies

Patriot air defense systems that detect and shoot down incoming missiles, drones and other airborne enemy equipment have already been removed, sources...

31.07.2026 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey, Pakistan among 14 countries backing Saudi Arabia's anti-Houthi Red Sea alliance

Riyadh won political backing from 14 countries for its proposed maritime defense coalition, but members have yet to commit to joining as Washington...

30.07.2026 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Saudi Arabia to announce Red Sea coalition to counter Houthi threats

Around 50 countries have been invited to join the Saudi-led initiative aimed at countering Houthi threats to Red Sea shipping and preventing a repeat...

29.07.2026 8

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Zaidi cancels Riyadh trip after US-Saudi strikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq

The move comes after Riyadh joined Washington in targeting Iraqi militias, dealing a setback to Baghdad's efforts to strengthen ties with Gulf Arab...

29.07.2026 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Zaidi to meet Erdogan as Turkey-Iraq ties take off, Kurds feel sidelined

The Iraqi prime minister's visits to Ankara and Riyadh underscore Baghdad's push to deepen regional ties as Turkey seeks closer cooperation on energy...

27.07.2026 9

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Iraq's Zaidi to meet Turkey's Erdogan as ties take off, Kurds feel sidelined

The Iraqi prime minister's visits to Ankara and Riyadh underscore Baghdad's push to deepen regional ties as Turkey seeks closer cooperation on energy...

27.07.2026 8

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Iran's Araghchi reveals Turkey's role in thwarting Kurdish offensive

The account offers Tehran's first public confirmation of reports that Ankara intervened to stop armed Iranian Kurdish groups from entering the...

20.07.2026 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

International oil firms halt production in Iraq’s Kurdistan amid US-Iran escalation

The move follows the deaths of two US service members in an Iranian attack on Jordan.

18.07.2026 8

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Trump taps Russia-born investor to oversee $200M+ fund backing Armenia-Azerbaijan corridor

The appointment of Chicago-based investor Konstantin Sokolov to oversee a $200 million fund marks a new phase for Washington's proposed trade and...

16.07.2026 7

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Armenia's Pashinyan keeps Iran close while wooing Trump, Turkey and Azerbaijan

As Yerevan pursues normalization with Turkey and Azerbaijan and backs a US-led transport corridor, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is working to...

08.07.2026 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkish standup comic detained after act calling Erdogan 'dictator' goes viral

Comedian Deniz Goktas’ arrest comes as Ankara intensifies prosecutions against opposition figures, journalists, artists and critics ahead of a major...

02.07.2026 30

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syria announces Sharaa's parliamentary appointees, SDF Kurds sidelined

The government on Wednesday announced the list of 70 members appointed to its transitional parliament.

01.07.2026 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Iraqi PM’s anti-corruption drive comes as US pressure mounts on Iran-backed militias

Iraq’s new prime minister has launched a sweeping anti-corruption campaign ahead of key talks in Washington, but analysts say the real test will be...

29.06.2026 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Iraq taps Krikor Der-Hagopian as first Armenian Christian ambassador to US

Baghdad’s pick of a US-educated Armenian Christian adviser as envoy to Washington underscores a bid to reset US-Iraq ties and broaden the...

23.06.2026 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Amid political setbacks, Kurds shine at the World Cup

Kurdish players and clubs are making rare global gains on football’s biggest stage, offering a brief lift amid ongoing political setbacks across the...

22.06.2026 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syrian Kurd commander Kobane set to dine in Paris with France's President Macron

Mazlum Kobane, the commander in chief of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, arrived in Italy Wednesday on the first leg of a European tour...

17.06.2026 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Why Trump’s push for Syria to confront Hezbollah is an unlikely bid

Trump’s proposal faces resistance from Damascus, skepticism from experts and opposition across Lebanon’s political spectrum.

16.06.2026 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Barrack heads to Iraq as US presses Baghdad on Iran-backed militias

US envoy Tom Barrack is due to meet with Iraq’s new prime minister and other top officials in Baghdad, where he will likely press US demands for...

12.06.2026 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey's probe into pro-secular tycoon goes beyond crude Kurdish joke

Rahmi Koc is under investigation after a widely condemned joke about Kurdish women, but critics say the case reflects deeper tensions over free...

09.06.2026 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Will Pashinyan’s victory in Armenia be enough to unlock peace with Turkey, Azerbaijan?

Armenia’s election result strengthens Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, but his push to normalize ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan still faces major...

08.06.2026 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Armenia candidate Tatoyan eyes Pashinyan's pro-West mantle in sea of Russia-backed rivals

In an interview from Yerevan, Armenian opposition candidate Arman Tatoyan denies pro-Russian ties and says he would deepen cooperation with the...

05.06.2026 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Backed by Trump and Turkey, Armenia's Pashinyan eyes third term in pivotal poll

As Russia and the West vie for influence, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan appears on track to secure a new mandate for his peace agenda with Azerbaijan...

03.06.2026 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

What Barrack’s expanded role in Syria, Iraq signals for US policy

The expansion of Ambassador Tom Barrack’s mandate to include Iraq along with his continued roles in Turkey and Syria will likely be welcomed in...

01.06.2026 20

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Top Syrian Kurdish official slams parliamentary vote in northeast as 'undemocratic'

Foza Yusuf, a senior figure in Syria’s Kurdish-led autonomous administration, said the May 24 parliamentary vote was structured to disadvantage...

25.05.2026 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Erdogan’s CHP move raises early poll prospects as Iran war bleeds Turkey’s economy

A court move targeting Turkey’s main opposition party, combined with mounting economic pressure linked to the Iran conflict, is raising expectations...

22.05.2026 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Israel targets Turkey charity amid Gaza flotilla tensions

The request, published in Israeli media, marks a further escalation in tensions with Turkey amid disputes over Gaza aid operations.

21.05.2026 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Azerbaijan envoy hits raw nerve with reminder of Baku’s sway on Turkey-Armenia ties

Baku’s ambassador says borders with Armenia will remain closed until Yerevan changes its constitution, hardening positions just weeks before a...

20.05.2026 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Majority of attacks on Saudi Arabia carried out by pro-Iran militias in Iraq

Since Feb. 28, most attacks on the kingdom have originated in Iraq and been attributed to Iran-backed Shiite militias, according to regional officials...

18.05.2026 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syrian Kurdish commander Kobane says Turkey visit ‘in the making,’ Ocalan meeting possible

The SDF commander-in-chief reflected on a fragile integration deal with Damascus, growing Kurdish backlash and ongoing talks with Turkey as questions...

13.05.2026 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey's border reopening unlocks new sphere of influence in Syria

Turkey reopened the Akcakale-Tell Abyad crossing on Monday, ending an 11-year closure along the Syria border.

11.05.2026 20

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

'Is it worth it?' Syria's Sharaa faces backlash over Missy Elliott performance

Backlash erupts after dancers perform to Missy Elliott’s “Work It,” exposing the tightrope between Sharaa’s outreach to the West and pressure...

22.04.2026 20

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

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...

21.04.2026 20

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

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.

20.04.2026 20

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Is Syria’s Sharaa poised to outdo Turkey in formalizing gains for Kurds?

Damascus is making limited but tangible progress in its engagement with Syrian Kurds, even as Ankara seeks to shape the terms of any settlement.

16.04.2026 20

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Despite Trump’s U-turns, US may still support Iran’s Kurds, says Komala’s Mohtadi

In an exclusive interview, the Komala leader discusses US backing, Kurdish ambitions and Trump’s shifting stance.

14.04.2026 20

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

'King of Iraq': Top judge Zaidan played key role in Shelly Kittleson's release

Officials say Faiq Zaidan leveraged his influence with Iran-backed militias to help secure the US journalist’s release, underscoring his outsized...

08.04.2026 20

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

US journalist Shelly Kittleson released by Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq

Two officials confirmed to Al-Monitor that Kittleson had been released.

07.04.2026 30

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

US journalist Shelly Kittleson will be released, says Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah

The Iran-backed group claimed it has decided to free Kittleson after a week in captivity, but there has been no confirmation of her release.

07.04.2026 20

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Shelly Kittleson's kidnapping by suspected Iran-backed militia exposes Iraq government weakness

The abduction of US journalist Shelly Kittleson highlights the outsized influence of Iran-aligned armed groups operating beyond Baghdad’s control.

01.04.2026 30

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

American journalist Shelly Kittleson abducted in Iraq

Local authorities are searching for Shelley Kittleson, who was abducted in Baghdad.

31.03.2026 30

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Iran's first strike on Iraqi Kurdish forces since war began a warning to US allies

The deadly strike on Kurdish forces underscores Tehran’s readiness to pressure US partners as Erbil is caught between Iran, Baghdad and Washington.

24.03.2026 30

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Journalist who investigated Erdogan’s son jailed on 'disinformation' charges in Turkey

Human rights organizations warn Ari’s detention signals a broader campaign against journalists probing government corruption and elite networks.

23.03.2026 30

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Iraqi oil flows to Turkey after US pledges role in Baghdad-Kurds customs dispute

A US-brokered breakthrough between Baghdad and Erbil has restarted Iraqi oil exports through Turkey after a weeklong standoff.

18.03.2026 30

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman