In this episode, host Adam Lucente hears from a number of Al-Monitor contributors on the Israeli strikes targeting Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital Doha. Listen as they delve into the ramifications for US policy towards both Israel and the Gulf, potential Turkish concerns over the Hamas presence in their country, and why Israel made the decision to target the group inside Qatar, a country that is close to the Trump administration.

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Welcome to The Al-Monitor Brief.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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