Defense/Security cooperation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of Congress in the chamber of the House of Representatives at the US Capitol, on July 24, 2024, in Washington.

Analysis

From UNRWA to ICC, how Republican Congress would shift Middle East policy

Bills to cut aid for Palestinians and expedite arms sales to Israel faced Democratic pushback, but they could now easily become law.

Megan Mineiro

By Megan Mineiro

In Washington, DC, reporting on US Congress

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 20: President Donald Trump (R) holds up a chart of military hardware sales as he meets with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Oval Office at the White House on March 20, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch-Pool/Getty Images)

Analysis

Saudi Arabia to pursue two-track approach for Trump presidency

Riyadh is likely to compartmentalize business dealings with incoming President Donald Trump separately from its foreign policy engagements, where there is likely to be disagreement.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

After UAE visit, Qatari PM holds talks in Iran as Hamas officials depart Doha

A Gulf political official told Al-Monitor on Wednesday that the Qatari prime minister's visit to the UAE is designed to communicate Doha's new policy toward Hamas, where it seeks to be more in alignment with them regarding the group.

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese border village of Khiam on Nov. 20, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Analysis

Israel seeking US security guarantees to clinch Lebanon deal: What we know

As cease-fire talks advance with Lebanon, Israel might agree to a letter from the US that would guarantee its ability to retaliate to violations by Hezbollah to 1701 framework.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Latest News

Analysis

As Netanyahu warms to Israel-Lebanon deal, US role comes into play

A photo taken from the southern Lebanese coastal city of Tyre shows smoke billowing following an Israeli airstrike which targeted the area of al-Hosh on the outskirts of Tyre, on November 19, 2024. (Photo by KAWNAT HAJU / AFP) (Photo by KAWNAT HAJU/AFP via Getty Images)

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Interview

EU escorted over 200 ships in Red Sea amid Gulf maritime threats, envoy says

NUSA DUA, INDONESIA - JULY 08: The Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi (R) greets the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luigi Di Maio (L) during arrival of the G20 Foreign Ministers and Head of Department at the Grand Ballroom Mulia Hotel on July 08, 2022 in Nusa Dua, Indonesia. (Photo by Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images)

Luigi di Maio

Luigi di Maio

EU Special Representative for the Gulf

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Analysis

With leverage in Syria, can Russia's Putin broker Israel-Lebanon deal?

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a flower-laying ceremony at the Monument to Minin and Pozharsky on Red Square on the National Unity Day in Moscow on November 4, 2024. (Photo by Mikhail TERESHCHENKO / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MIKHAIL TERESHCHENKO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

Israel euphoric over Trump's cabinet: Will he pick annexation or Saudi deal?

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 15: Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu waves as he arrives outside the West Wing of the White House September 15, 2020 in Washington, DC. Netanyahu is in Washington to participate in the signing ceremony of the Abraham Accords. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 31: U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrives to testify at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill October 31, 2023 in Washington, DC. Austin and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken both testified at the hearing on budget requests, which includes aid money for Israel and Ukraine. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Pentagon: No impact on Middle East ops following Austin's hospitalization

Senior Pentagon officials were alerted a day after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had been admitted to intensive care, but failed to notify White House.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

This picture taken from an Israeli position along the border with southern Lebanon shows smoke billowing above the village of Adayseh during Israeli bombardment, Jan. 4, 2024.

Analysis

How damaging was Hezbollah's rocket barrage on Israeli air base?

In a first since Oct. 7, Hezbollah hit and damaged infrastructure at an Israeli air base in the north of the country, not far from the border with Lebanon.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Israeli soldiers deploy at kibbutz Beeri near the border with Gaza, Oct. 11, 2023.

Israeli military causes uproar with plans to investigate its conduct on Oct. 7

News of the Israeli military establishing a committee to investigate itself took security cabinet members by surprise.

The Soloturk aerobatic demonstration team of the Turkish Air Force flies an F-16 aircraft over Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Turkish Republic's Founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, during celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey in Ankara, on October 29, 2023. Turkey marked its centenary as a post-Ottoman republic on October 29, 2023, with somewhat muted celebrations held in the shadow of Israel's escalating war with Hamas militants in Gaza. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALT

Ahead of Blinken's trip, Turkey's patience is wearing thin on F-16s sale

Ahead of the US top diplomat’s visit, Ankara has signaled that its patience over its bid to purchase new F-16 fighter jets from the United States is wearing thin.

Yemen's Houthi rebels on the Galaxy Leader cargo ship.

Breaking | Last Updated: January 4, 2024, 12:33 pm

US, allies put Houthis on notice over shipping attacks after Pentagon readies strike options

Washington and a dozen other nations issued their clearest warning yet since the Pentagon has readied plans to strike Houthi targets in response to the Yemeni faction's brazen attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

SOUTHERN ISRAEL - JANUARY 02: An Israeli soldier directs a tank to be loaded on a truck on January 02, 2024 in Southern Israel, near the border to Gaza. Prior to annnouncing the withdrawal of some troops from Gaza, Israel extended its ground offensive into densely populated neighborhoods in the central part of the territory, forcing a fresh wave of displacement to south. Meanwhile, its aerial campaign continued apace across the territory as it seeks to destroy Hamas following the militant group's Oct. 7 att

What does Israeli military drawdown mean for Gaza war?

The Israeli military is preparing for what could be seen as the third phase of the war in Gaza, with less troops on the ground and more precisely targeted operations.

American aircraft carrier anchored in a harbor after offshore training exercises.

US pulls aircraft carrier from Mediterranean as Israel escalates in Lebanon

Israeli leaders test Hezbollah's restraint as the US Navy's largest aircraft carrier heads home following an extended deployment to deter Iran and its proxies.

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Naftali Bennett: Israel attacked Iran drone base, killed IRGC commander in 2022

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett accused the current government of ignoring the war Iran is waging against it and letting its leaders off the hook.

A picture taken in southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip on Dec. 11, 2023.

Analysis

What will Israel’s next phase entail in Gaza as war drags on?

The Israeli military continues fighting in an attempt to mark as many achievements on the ground before it shifts to the third phase of the war.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Visitors inspect sniper rifles during the opening day of Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX-2023) at the Cairo International Exhibition Center, Dec. 4, 2023.

Is Turkey-Egypt rapprochement turning into a long-term defense partnership?

Rapidly improving defense cooperation between Cario and Ankara falls in line with Turkey's multidimensional strategic outlook, observes believe.

Can Turkey and Algeria be strategic partners despite differences in Africa?

Mutual interests are bringing Turkey and Algeria closer, even though Erdogan’s policies in Africa have often irritated Algiers.

Flames and smoke rise from an agricultural structure in southern Lebanon's Khiam plain following an Israeli bombardment on Nov. 23, 2023.

Analysis

As Hezbollah clashes intensify, Israel pours cold water on Lebanon deal

Hezbollah's increasing provocations give Israel cause for concern, as the country lacks the energy to take on another enemy far more powerful than Hamas.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense