Interview

Sen. Van Hollen challenges Trump's bypass of Congress on Saudi Arabia, Iran

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Maryland Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen describes efforts to curtail the Trump administration’s Gulf policies.

Chris Van Hollen

US Senator from Maryland

Israel's religious right thrives on political unrest

Knesset member Betzalel Smotrich of the United Right party is campaigning for Israel to be run according to religious law, and there are no guarantees he won’t make it happen.

Israel

Iran seems to have never stopped funding Hamas families

Iran has reportedly resumed its funding to the Palestinian Hamas movement through funds to families of Palestinians killed in resistance activities in the Gaza Strip.

Palestine

Will Israel enforce the truce agreements prior to election?

The fact that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form a government and awaits the new election’s outcome has raised questions on whether he will implement the truce understandings with the Palestinian factions.

Palestine

Will Israeli Arabs come out to vote in September?

The numbers make clear that a change of regime and victory for the Blue and White in September elections can only be achieved by boosting voter turnout among Arabs, who represent double the vote potential than the ultra-Orthodox parties, which garnered 16 Knesset seats in the April vote.

Israel

Palestinian self-made weaponry on the rise

Despite Israel's siege on the Gaza Strip, the armed wings of the Palestinian factions have managed to expand their military capabilities.

Palestine

Blue and White gets rare second chance in politics

New elections present a credible opportunity for the Blue and White to form the next government if it changes its attitude toward working with Israel's Arab minority.

Israel

Israel's Knesset in limbo

The decision to hold new elections in September has thrown the Israeli parliament and government into political limbo.

Israel

West Bank security arrests alleged IS recruit targeting Israel

Palestinian Authority security services tell Israeli media they arrested a Palestinian woman they believe was going to blow herself up in Israel for the Islamic State.

Palestine

Netanyahu needs a miracle

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is confronted with an almost impossible mission: winning the new elections with at least 40 Knesset seats, composing a majority without Avigdor Liberman and convincing coalition partners to legislate quickly the immunity law.

Israel

New Israeli elections throw wrench in US peace plan

With a new Israeli government unlikely to be formed until late October, as the US 2020 presidential campaign heats up, the Trump administration is increasingly unlikely to present the political component of its peace vision before a second term, analysts and diplomats said.

Israel

Likud blindly obeys Netanyahu

The obedient vote by the Likud Party’s Knesset faction to dissolve the parliament, following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s needs and wishes, shows the current state of Israel’s ruling party — one of being in an era of a strongman who has turned the Likud into a one-man band.

Israel