Al Monitor
Engagement Insights
Discussions from Al Monitor
What should the U.S. government do to ensure the safety of its citizens in the Middle East?
US embassies in capitals across the Middle East on Saturday warned American citizens to beware of an "unforeseen escalation" in the regional conflict and urged them to be ready to leave. The warning, posted online by US embassies in Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates came a day after US President Donald Trump threatened to hit Iran "very hard". Iran and the United States have been at war since February 28. A period of calm followed a ceasefire, though that collapsed with a return of strikes
What should be done to reduce violence and improve safety for both Israelis and Palestinians?
By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Steven Scheer CAIRO/JERUSALEM, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Israeli airstrikes continued in Gaza for a second straight day on Sunday, killing at least nine Palestinians, despite U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of a breakthrough in efforts to implement last year's Gaza ceasefire agreement. Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen said on Sunday that there was no deal to halt attacks on Gaza and that he saw a need for Israel, which already controls 70% of the Strip, to take full control of it
What should Europe do to manage the flow of migrants crossing into Spain from Morocco?
France and the UK have offered assistance. Italy has suspended its Schengen agreement with Spain, in a measure its foreign minister called 'unavoidable.' Spain on Friday said that 48,000 migrants have now returned to Morocco
What are the different views on the Gaza peace plan and its impact on the region's future?
July 31 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump has announced what he described as a breakthrough agreement to end the Gaza war, but major gaps remain over how any deal would be implemented. The central dispute is over sequencing. Hamas says Israel must first meet commitments under the ceasefire agreement reached last year in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, while Israel says Hamas must first undergo what it calls genuine disarmament. Previous diplomatic efforts have repeatedly collapsed over the issue, with each side insisting the other must take the first substantive step
How should countries respond to missile attacks on Ukraine to protect its citizens and support peace?
By Olena Harmash and Yurii Kovalenko KYIV, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Russia pounded Kyiv in a heavy ballistic missile attack early on Saturday, killing nine people, as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned that Ukraine had run out of interceptor missiles for its U.S. Patriot air defence systems. Zelenskiy said that Russia launched 35 missiles at Ukraine, including 27 ballistic missiles, and also 185 drones. Only one ballistic missile was intercepted, "simply because there are no interceptors for the Patriot system", he said
What are the possible effects of the court's decision on Palestine Action and similar activist groups?
Britain's Supreme Court said on Thursday it has agreed to hear the high-profile case brought by the co-founder of activist group Palestine Action appealing against a contentious government ban which has led to thousands of arrests. Huda Ammori has been fighting the group's prohibition by the interior ministry since it was imposed in July 2025 under the UK's Terrorism Act. That move made membership of, or support for, the pro-Palestinian group a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison
How should communities and leaders respond to the ongoing violence and its impact on civilians in conflict zones?
Bombings take place as Hamas officials meet with Qatari, Egyptian and Turkish mediators in Cairo to discuss truce
What impact could ongoing US-Iran talks have on peace and safety in the region?
"Negotiations between parties are ongoing, particularly on (the) Strait of Hormuz and to de-escalate," says a Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman
What should the US consider when responding to attacks from other countries like Iran?
The US has bombed multiple cities across southern Iran in what Central Command described as a ‘heavy wave of strikes’
How should the UK balance its defense needs with the risks of escalating tensions with Iran?
LONDON, July 23 (Reuters) - Britain said on Thursday its armed forces were ready to protect the country from any attack after Iran's Revolutionary Guards issued a warning over allowing U.S. bombers to fly from UK bases. "Our Armed Forces are ready to keep the United Kingdom safe from any kind of attacks, whether it's on our soil or from abroad. The UK stands ready 24/7 to defend itself," a government spokesperson said
How might the plans for fees and cooperation in Hormuz affect trade and relations in the region?
By Timour Azhari and Parisa Hafezi DUBAI, July 28 (Reuters) - Oman has won backing from Gulf states for a plan that would let Tehran collect voluntary fees to use the Strait of Hormuz, a Gulf source told Reuters on Tuesday, a path towards ending the disruption to oil trade caused by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran