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August 27, 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

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

Netanyahu considers fourth elections, but ultra-Orthodox object

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might be considering going to fourth elections, but his ultra-Orthodox allies won’t hear of that.

A Palestinian demonstrator pulls burning tires during a protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, near the Jewish settlement of Beit El, near Ramallah June 19, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman - RC2CCH92Y7IK

Israeli security chiefs warn that annexation could ignite the West Bank

Israel’s security chiefs are presenting the political echelons all the options and grim scenarios of what could happen if annexation takes place.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi attends a news conference with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov following their talks in Moscow, Russia February 19, 2020. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina - RC2L3F9I0MTY

Jordanian foreign minister makes unannounced visit to West Bank for Abbas meeting

Ahead of Israel's proposed annexation of parts of the West Bank, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi flew to Ramallah to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

An Israeli flag carrier El Al Airlines plane is seen on the tarmac as Israel's airport authority announced a pilot programme revealing what passengers leaving Israel should except as air travel gradually returns to normal after weeks of bare minimum flights due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, at Ben Gurion International Airport, in Lod, near Tel Aviv, Israel May 14, 2020. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC27OG974QQK

EU ratifies aviation agreement with Israel despite annexation strain

The European Parliament has ratified the landmark Open Skies agreement with Israel, but warns that there could still be sanctions if annexation goes forward.

Netanyahu's popularity undamaged by accusations against his wife

Over the years, and again this week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been blaming the media for going after his wife in order to hurt him.

Interview

Chief rabbi of Iran: Israel does not represent Judaism

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Rabbi Yehuda Garami, chief rabbi of the Jewish community in Iran, explains about their daily lives and why he paid a condolence visit to the family of assassinated Gen. Qasem Soleimani.

Yehuda Garami

Yehuda Garami

Chief rabbi of the Jewish community in Iran

Inspired by US protests, Ethiopian-born Israeli ministers battle against police brutality

Absorption Minister Pnina Tamano-Shata and Deputy Public Security Minister Gadi Yevarkan, both of Ethiopian origin, are reinforcing their battle against police brutality.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz, centrist Blue and White leader, and Netanyahu's partner in his new unity government, talk during a swearing in ceremony of the new government, at the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem May 17, 2020. Amos Ben Gershon/Knesset Spokesperson's Office/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT - RC2FQG9FD46U

Blue and White lawmakers said to support staged annexation

Blue and White Knesset members are reportedly pushing for a staged annexation plan that begins with two settlement blocs.

NGO workers speak to European Union heads of mission and other local envoys about the impact of Israeli annexation, during a diplomatic tour of Palestinian villages, near al-Mughayyir in the Israeli-occupied West Bank June 11, 2020. REUTERS/Rami Ayyub - RC2Y6H9D0HGZ

More world leaders take stand against Netanyahu’s annexation plan

Jordan's King Abdullah and leaders of the European Union are now focusing their anti-annexation efforts on the American administration.

People visit a beach along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in Ashkelon, as restrictions following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) ease around Israel, May 16, 2020. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC2RPG9LGFQZ

Israel kicks party business off beaches

An Israeli court has ruled in favor of protecting Israel’s beaches from commercial use such as keeping tents and other equipment on them.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis issue joint statements in Jerusalem, June 16, 2020. Debbie Hill/Pool via REUTERS - RC2BAH9GJTED

Israel, Greek prime ministers showcase bilateral alliance

The visit in Israel of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reflects a growing convergence of interests between the two countries.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stands at an overview of the Israeli settlement of Har Homa, located in an area of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, that Israel annexed to Jerusalem after the region's capture in the 1967 Middle East war, February 20, 2020. Debbie Hill/Pool via REUTERS - RC2E4F92VRA5

Netanyahu edges back to reality as support for annexation wanes

After warnings by the US administration that he needs to have Blue and White on board with his plan, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may settle for a limited, symbolic annexation.