Advertise on podcast: The AL-Monitor Brief

Lebanon sent a new consul general to Michigan after a row over alleged Hezbollah praise, and Gadi Eisenkot was tapped to form a government in Israel. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The PUK withdrew from Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government and Israeli President Isaac Herzog is expected to assign the task of forming a government Sunday. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Iran responded to Vice President JD Vance’s post on the midterm elections, and Russia reportedly agreed to supply Iran with missile launchers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Senior Iranian officials celebrated the results, while Israeli opposition leaders said the elections constitute a failure for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Syria said it thwarted a Hezbollah-linked plot on a refinery, and the US struck Iran’s Qeshm island. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Iranian negotiators left Qatar without a deal after days of meetings, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seeking deeper trade ties in South Korea. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Houthis denied launching a drone toward Mecca and Arab parties in Israel could emerge as political kingmakers after picking up more seats. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Israel is in a political deadlock after the elections, and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi made a landmark visit to Syria. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The US reportedly warned Gulf states of a short renewal of the Iran war as diplomacy ramps up. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Syria condemned the Jordanian strikes in the country’s south, and Egypt’s parliament greenlit more defensive support for Saudi Arabia. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jordan said three people were arrested over the deadly church attack in the country, and Yemen’s Houthis said they targeted key Saudi oil infrastructure.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Saudi Arabia is reportedly expanding its missile capabilities, and the UAE closed beaches after an oil spill in the Gulf. Editor's note: This podcast was updated on Oct. 23, 2026 to include information on the shooting in Jordan. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Iran's IRGC said seven vessels were hit in the Gulf, and the US ordered some embassy staff to leave Saudi Arabia. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

French President Emmanuel Macron secured more diesel supplies during his Gulf trip, and Libya’s eastern-based parliament approved a long-disputed maritime deal with Turkey. Editor's note: This podcast was updated on Oct. 21, 2026 to include additional information on French President Emmanuel Macron's trip to Saudi Arabia. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The UK said it would fly defensive air missions to protect Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks, and Iran hosted senior Russian and Pakistani officials for talks. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.