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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 bill gives ultra-Orthodox choice between IDF service, work

A new IDF conscription bill offers the ultra-Orthodox a choice between military service and going to work.

Iyad Shalabi of Team Israel celebrates winning the Men's 100m Backstroke - S1 final on day 1 of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Tokyo Aquatics Center, Japan, Aug. 25, 2021.

First Arab-Israeli athlete to win gold medal in Paralympic Games

The recognition and congratulations by Israeli Jewish politicians over the achievement of swimmer Iyad Shalabi reflect societal changes that were long overdue.

Bennett and Biden at White House

Bennett, Biden meet, feature friendship and understanding on Iran

At their White House meeting, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett received from President Joe Biden almost everything he was out to get, including a public declaration on a US commitment against a nuclearized Iran.

OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli leaders send condolences to Americans on Afghanistan attack

Leaders from both the coalition and the opposition in Israel sent messages of sympathy to the American people and for all those who lost family members and friends at the double Afghanistan suicide attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett listens during a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Willard Hotel, Washington, Aug. 25, 2021.

Bennett’s meeting with Biden overshadowed by Afghanistan attacks

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was hoping for a festive first official meeting with US President Joe Biden, but the suicide attacks at Kabul airport changed all that.

SAID KHATIB/AFP via Getty Images

Israel permits additional goods to enter Gaza

Israel's military liaison to the Palestinian sides announced that more goods and Palestinian workers will be allowed entry.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews harvest wheat in a field near the city of Modi'in, Israel, April 28, 2021.

Israeli farmers prepare for year of rest

Preparing for the year of Shmita, when the land must rest and not be cultivated, Israel is privileging the importation of produce from Jordan and the Palestinian Authority.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett (L) meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington, Aug. 25 2021.

Ahead of meeting Biden, Israel’s Bennett meets with Austin, Blinken

On his first official visit to the United States, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and with Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett chairs the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Aug. 22, 2021.

The Takeaway: Bennett has opening to sway Biden administration on Iran nuclear deal

Also: Iran’s new foreign minister and Nasrallah; Syrian Islamist group cracks down in Idlib; TikTok finds audiences in Egypt, Gaza; Israel’s chocolate confiscation; and more … in about 1,500 words!

Man receives third shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Aug. 24, 2021, in Holon, Israel.

Israel considers canceling Green Pass for those without booster shot

Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz said there was no justification for giving a Green Pass to people who had not gotten the third, booster vaccination dose.

Israeli Minister of Transportation Merav Michaeli arrives to attend the first weekly Cabinet meeting of the new government in Jerusalem, on June 20, 2021.

Israeli minister lambasted for seeking surrogate help

The announcement by Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli on her baby being born by an American surrogate mother generated enormous public debate about the issue and about Michaeli’s convictions.

Algerian newspapers announces break in Algerian-Moroccan relations

Algeria partly blames Israel in decision to cut ties with Morocco

In explaining his country’s decision to sever diplomatic ties with Morocco, Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra also pointed a finger at Israel.