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August 25, 2026

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Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani (C) watches as US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack prepares to sign an agreement in Damascus on September 16, 2025. Shaibani announced on September 16 a plan backed by Jordan and the United States to restore calm to Druze-majority Sweida province, which witnessed deadly violence in July. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP) (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Exclusive

Israel recalibrates Syria policy, explores path to security deal

Israel is rethinking its hard-line Syria policy and seeking to repair ties with US envoy and Donald Trump's confidant Tom Barrack amid a push for a security agreement with Damascus.

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

Palestinian militant group Hamas police officers stand guard as people attend the opening of the Fatah party's eighth general conference at Al-Azhar University in Gaza City on May 14, 2026.

Ex-defense minister: Israel in ‘worst possible’ Gaza situation as Hamas gains strength

Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant criticized the Israeli government for allowing Hamas to retain control over half of the Gaza Strip.

A merchant ship "Jabotinsky" (former "Altalena"), chartered by Jewish military group Irgun Zvaei Leumi to carry weapons for Israeli fighters, burns near Tel Aviv beach, after being shelled by the Haganah, Israel, June 27, 1948.

Wreck of ship sunk by Israeli military in Irgun clash found after 78 years

The wreck of the Irgun underground's Altalena ship, bombed by the Israeli military in 1948 and deliberately sunk in 1949, was located off Israel's coast at a depth of 1,650 feet.

Latest News

Israel tightens election safeguards as public distrust surges: What to know

ilia YEFIMOVICH / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Why Turkey sees Israeli strikes in Syria as warning over its military role, Mecca Pact

A Turkish soldier from the 1st Border Regiment Command looks out over the border wall to Syria during alert drills at a military outpost on the Turkey/Syria border on March 2, 2017 in Kilis, Turkey.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Turkey bets on US deconfliction as Israel widens Syria red lines

Turkey/Syria border

Ezgi Akin

Rina Bassist

By Ezgi Akin , Rina Bassist

Analysis

Israel fears Turkey’s Syria ambitions and doubts Trump will stop them

ANKARA, TURKEY - JULY 7: U.S. President Donald Trump (L)shakes hands with with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) during a formal arrival at the Bestepe Presidential Palace during the NATO summit on July 7, 2026 in Ankara, Turkey. Leaders from NATO's 32 countries, plus NATO allies like Ukraine, gathered in the Turkish capital to discuss a range of issues involving spending targets, defense industrial production, and support for Ukraine, among other topics. (Photo by Emrah Gurel - Pool/Getty Images)

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

Samuel Wendel

Senior Analyst, Middle East Business & Tech

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

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli coalition torn over construction in West Bank settlements

The advancement of plans for the construction of hundreds of housing units in West Bank settlements has created a serious rift among Israel’s coalition partners.

People sit in a garden in front of the Knesset, Jerusalem, Oct. 17, 2021.

Mansour Abbas puts mark on Israeli development plan for Arab communities

The coalition Ra’am party is proud of the approval by the government of a five-year plan for the economic development of Israeli Arab towns and villages.

Israel air

Israel's room to maneuver in Syrian skies faces new constraints

Recent geopolitical changes in the region are reducing Israel’s ability to act against the Iranian presence in Syria.

ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP via Getty Images

Sudan coup puts normalization with Israel in jeopardy

The military leadership in Sudan had pushed for normalization with Israel, but in a situation of political turmoil and without American support, it may now find the process difficult to advance.

meeting france

Israel takes security issues to France

The series of visits by Israeli security officials to Paris in recent months can only mean France is open for dialogue with the new government.

WEst Bank settlement

US slams Israel’s planned settlement expansion

The Biden administration is making public its formerly private objections to Israel's policies.

Amir Levy/Getty Images

Terror designation of Palestinian groups shakes Israeli coalition

Meretz is furious over Defense Minister Benny Gantz' designation of six Palestinian civil society groups as terror organizations.

An Israeli air force F-15 fighter takes off during the Blue Flag multinational air defense exercise at Ovda air force base, north of Eilat, Israel, Oct. 24, 2021.

Israel, UAE send signal to Iran during Israeli air force drill

For the first time ever, the commander of the Emirati air force openly observes the international Blue Flag military drill taking place this week in Israel.

Fans of Beitar Jerusalem soccer club La Familia clash with other team fans during a training session, Jerusalem, Dec. 11, 2020.

Israelis fed up with racist, anti-Muslim behavior of soccer fans

Most Beitar Jerusalem soccer team supporters have had enough of the racist and anti-Muslim behavior of La Familia fan club.

US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper (L) welcomes Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz during an honor cordon at the Pentagon, Washington, Sept. 22, 2020.

US questions Israel designation of Palestinian NGO's as terrorist groups

The State Department expects Israel to substantiate its designation of six Palestinian civil society groups as terror organizations.

Indian Minister of Foreign Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (C) alongside current Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan (R) attend a ceremony at the Hall of Remembrance, Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial museum, Jerusalem, Oct. 18, 2021.

In Dubai, Israel sees normalization as bridge to business in India, Japan

The Abraham Accords offer Israel an economic peace, which means in turn also deeper economic ties with India, Japan and perhaps even Saudi Arabia.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Palestinian Islamic Jihad announces end to hunger strike

Israeli officials are disputing the militant group's claim that prison authorities have met the Palestinians' demands.