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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

Israeli Knesset member Naftali Bennett attends the swearing-in ceremony of Israel's Knesset (parliament) in Jerusalem, on April 6, 2021.

Could Bloc for Change really replace Netanyahu?

Only one week before the deadline Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces, it is unclear whether his opponents have the majority to compose an alternative government.

HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images

Tensions spiral in Jerusalem, Israel’s southern front

Israel is seething with conflict between Jews and Arabs with increasing tension in the West Bank, rocket fire from Gaza and with fear of escalation on the northern border.

A view of the outdoor playground of the net-zero energy kindergarten building, Hadera, Israel, December 2020.

Israel's Hadera pioneers net-zero energy construction

The town of Hadera has already constructed two net-zero energy buildings and promises to continue with more green, energy clean structures.

Nas Daily

Arab-Israeli vlogger Nas Daily wins over viewers

Arab-Israeli Nas Daily has become one of the most influential internet personalities in the world.

Palestinian detained near Damascus Gate in Jerusalem

Riots in Jerusalem become diplomatic crisis

The US Embassy in Israel expressed concern about escalating tensions in Jerusalem between Jews and Arabs.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Syrian missile exposes Israel’s fragility

The Israeli military is concerned by the failure to intercept a long-range missile fired from Syria.

Netanyahu and Gantz at Knesset swearing-in

A tale of two elections: Netanyahu, Abbas face the abyss

The Israeli prime minister and Palestinian president are both losing control of their traditional coalitions.

Israeli Arab politician, leader of the United Arab list, Mansour Abbas (C) attends consultations with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin (L) on who might form the next coalition government, at the President's residence in Jerusalem, on April 5, 2021.

Arab parties to determine Israeli government

Head of Ra’am Party Mansour Abbas and members of the Arab Joint List now have the power to decide what the next government will look like.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Israel fails to intercept missile from Syria

Despite Israel's extensive missile defense systems, a missile from Syria managed to reach the south of the country.

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

Israel churns out tech unicorns

Another 16 Israeli companies passed the billion-dollar valuation target in 2020.

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

Jerusalem seethes with clashes between Jews, Arabs

The week has been violent in Jerusalem with both Israeli Jews and Arabs reportedly attacking each other in well documented incidents.

Sudanese businessman Abu al-Qassem Bortoum speaks during an inter-faith event to promote religious tolerance in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, on Feb. 6, 2021. The Sudanese businessman defended hosting the event in the Muslim-majority country that also included Jews, Christians and Hindus. Critics from an Islamist group had argued such events would heighten tensions a month after Sudan's landmark decision to normalize ties with Israel in a US-brokered deal.

Israel to keep lower profile on advancing ties with Sudan

Israel’s recent enthusiasm for constructing ties with Sudan might have scared Khartoum, which prefers advancing more discreetly.