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August 12, 2026

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Colombia's new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, delivers a speech at the Pichincha Battalion after being sworn in, in Cali, Colombia, on Aug. 7, 2026.

Syria lodges UN complaint against Colombia’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over Golan

Bogota’s move marked a foreign policy shift under new right-wing President Abelardo de la Espriella, reversing Petro-era policies that strained ties with Israel.

lia YEFIMOVICH / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Netanyahu rejects Trump’s Gaza plan while quietly implementing it

Even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that he rejects US President Donald Trump’s Gaza reconstruction plan, Israel is advancing its implementation.

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

Sharren Haskel speaks at an event marking 60 years of diplomatic ties between Germany and Israel hosted by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Berlin, Oct. 16, 2025.

Interview

Israel's deputy FM, Sharren Haskel, bets on a new right after breaking with Netanyahu

Former Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel resigned from her position shortly before the Knesset dispersed and has formed a new party opposed to exempting ultra-Orthodox men from military service.

Latest News

Analysis

As pro-Palestinian candidates gain ground, will AIPAC's influence wane?

Alex Wong/Getty Images

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Analysis

As US rethinks regional presence, Israel shifts focus to destabilizing Iran

Hussein FALEH / AFP via Getty Images

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

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Ben Caspit

Israel Columnist

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

Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Rina Bassist

Associate Editor (Israel)

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

A view of the Dome of the Rock on the compound known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif, and to Jews as Temple Mount, in Jerusalem's Old City is seen from the Mount of Olives January 24, 2011. Palestinian negotiators secretly told Israel it could keep swathes of occupied East Jerusalem, according to leaked documents that show Palestinians offering much bigger peace concessions than previously revealed. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS) - RTXWZNK

US Courts Will Not Determine Jerusalem's Fate

The latest US decision on the legal status of Jerusalem citizenship is just another round in the American political and legal battles over Jerusalem's fate.

Supporters of the Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood and Islamic Action Front party attend a rally in Amman February 18, 2011. Several thousand Jordanian supporters of the country?s largest opposition party, the Islamic Action Front, held a rally to celebrate the new Egypt on Friday and the people power that swept away autocrat Hosni Mubarak in just 18 days. REUTERS/Ali Jarekji (JORDAN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTR2IS5R

Jordan Brotherhood Leader Says Morsi Ousted for Opposing Israel

The deputy leader of Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood, Zaki Bani Arshid, warns in an exclusive interview that Egypt's crisis will have a "great effect" on Jordan.

Rayya, mother of Palestinian Fares Baroud, who has been held prisoner by Israel for 22 years, wipes her tears as she holds his picture after hearing news on the possible release of her son in her house at Shati refugee camp in Gaza City July 28, 2013. Baroud was expected to be among more than 100 Arab prisoners to be released as a step to renew stalled peace talks with the Palestinians ahead of plans to convene negotiators in Washington later this week. Israeli ministers have yet to vote on the releases. R

The Price of Peace: Releasing Palestinian Prisoners

Yesterday's terrorists are today's heroes, whose release is essential to prevent the wars of tomorrow — in South Africa, Israel and Palestine.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (C) shakes hands with Israeli President Shimon Peres (L) and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa at the King Hussein Convention Centre, at the Dead Sea May 26, 2013. REUTERS/Jim Young (JORDAN - Tags: POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY BUSINESS) - RTX101SC

Signs of Seriousness In Israel-Palestine Peace Talks

Despite the pessimism of pundits, there are indications that US Secretary of State John Kerry might not be wasting his time.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (L) meets with Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu before attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) security meetings in Bandar Seri Begawan July 2, 2013. REUTERS/Jacquelyn Martin/Pool (BRUNEI - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX119IY

Al-Monitor’s Gursel Wins Award; Watch US House on Syria

Al-Monitor’s coverage of press freedom in Turkey, the US House of Representatives on Syria, and Iraq as possible mediator on Iran; Daoud Kuttab discusses the Middle East with Fareed Zakaria.

Protesters cheer and dance with flares as they gather for a mass protest to support the army in front of the presidential palace in Cairo July 26, 2013. At least seven people were killed and hundreds wounded in scattered violence across Egypt during mass rallies for and against the army's overthrow of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi, who was placed under investigation for murder. REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTX120O6

Egypt, Tunisia, Gaza Still Waiting for Democracy

Developments in Egypt, Tunisia, Gaza and Ramallah show that elections alone do not make a democracy, just as US President Obama had warned in his 2009 Cairo speech.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas smiles during a meeting of the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank city of Ramallah July 18, 2013. As Palestinian leaders discussed a possible U.S-brokered resumption of peace talks on Thursday, the Israeli government denied a shift in its conditions that might help end a three-year stalemate. Abbas began briefing fellow PLO leaders in Ramallah on his meetings this week with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who has extended his stay in the region and appears to be

Hamas Warns Abu Mazen On Peace Talks With Israel

The rift is widening between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas after the announcement that talks with Israel may resume.

Palestinian Minister of Civil Affairs Mohammad Dahlan speaks during a news conference at King Hussein Medical City in Amman. Palestinian Minister of Civil Affairs Mohammad Dahlan speaks during a news conference at King Hussein Medical City in Amman September 4, 2005. Dahlan received treatment in Jordan for a back complaint. REUTERS/Ali Jarekji - RTRMKD0

Former Favorite Son Dahlan Slams Abu Mazen for Corruption

Two recent cases raise questions about the democratic practices of the parties to the peace.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2nd L), flanked by Tzipi Livni (L), Israel's chief negotiator with the Palestinians, National Security Adviser Yaakov Amidror (3rd L) and Military Secretary Eyal Zamir, speaks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (not pictured) during a meeting in Jerusalem June 29, 2013. Kerry extended his Middle East peace mission on Saturday, shuttling between Jerusalem and Amman for more talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders on reviving their stalled negotiations. REUT

Livni to Conduct Upcoming Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations

With a small party in a right-wing coalition, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni has only two options if she wants to survive: to ensure that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conducts negotiations with the Palestinians in good faith, or to pull out of his government.

Israeli police officers stand guard atop a wall overlooking Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City, during the holy month of Ramadan July 26, 2013. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS RELIGION CRIME LAW) - RTX11ZWT

No Surprises in US Court Decision On Jerusalem's Status

It should surprise no one that a US court has decided to refrain from forcing the president to recognize Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem.

Chen Katz (C) places a rainbow flag on the grave of her brother Nir during his funeral in the Israeli city of Modiin near Tel Aviv August 2, 2009. Israel's gay community was rocked on Sunday by the killing of two people, one of them Katz, in a homosexual and lesbian youth centre and the possibility they fell victim to a hate crime in the Jewish state's most freewheeling city. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (ISRAEL POLITICS CONFLICT) - RTR26CSB

Murder Suspect in Gay Club Killing Tracked to Tel Aviv Slum

Five minutes from Tel Aviv, the poor and neglected Pardes Katz neighborhood, home of the alleged killer in the Bar No’ar murder case, has become a cradle of Israeli delinquency.

Israel's Finance Minister Yair Lapid speaks during a joint news conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer, Energy Minister Silvan Shalom and (not pirctured) in Jerusalem June 19, 2013. Israel said on Wednesday it will keep the majority of it's newfound natural gas for domestic use, but will still allow enough gas to be sold abroad to satisfy exploration companies who want access to the global market. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS ENERGY BUSI

The Downfall of Minister Lapid

Finance Minister Yair Lapid turns strategically, and obsessively, to his main campaign slogan against the ultra-Orthodox, to blur the fact that he has not owned up to his own promises.