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June 28, 2025

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Former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin arrives to attend a church service for former French President Jacques Chirac at the Saint-Sulpice church in Paris on September 30, 2019. - Former French President Jacques Chirac died on September 26, 2019 at the age of 86.

Interview

Former French PM says Trump has ‘immense opportunity’ in Mideast

Dominique de Villepin, who recently announced a new political party, says in an exclusive written interview with Al-Monitor that France has a vital role to play in promoting regional cooperation.

Dominique de Villepin

Dominique de Villepin

Former French prime minister

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, DC, Feb. 4, 2025.

Analysis

How Trump’s call to end Netanyahu’s trial is linked to broader Gaza deal

The coordinated effort, involving an agreement with Hamas and expansion of the Abraham Accords, also envisions a Nobel Peace Prize for Trump and a pardon for Netanyahu.

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

Palestinian Fawzya Ishreiteh clears burnt belongings in the living and kitchen area of her family house after a reported attack overnight by Israelis from a nearby settlement, in Susya south of Hebron city in the occupied West Bank on June 25, 2025. Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, and violence there has soared since the start of the Gaza war in 2023. The West Bank is home to about three million Palestinians, but also some 500,000 Israelis living in settlements that are illegal under internatio

At least 4 Palestinians killed in West Bank as Israeli settler violence rises: What to know

Israeli settlers stormed a number of Palestinian villages and towns in the West Bank following a string of deadly attacks by settlers and military forces.

Latest News

US envoy in Saudi Arabia to coordinate Syria support amid Abraham Accords push

A billboard by the Coalition for Regional Security, with the Hebrew slogan which reads "A time for war, a time for settlement; now is the time for the 'Abrahamic Covenant,'" is displayed in Tel Aviv on June 26, 2025.

Pope Leo decries 'special interests' and MidEast wars, calls Gaza 'inhumane'

Pope Leo XIV exchanges skullcap (zucchetto) during an audience to the participants in the Meeting of Priests promoted by the Dicastery for the Clergy at the auditorium Conciliazione in Rome on June 26, 2025. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

A new era? Why Israel-Iran war didn't spook global markets as expected

Fire and smoke rise from a building, reportedly hit by a missile fired from Iran, in central Tel Aviv on June 13, 2025.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Why Netanyahu accepted Trump’s ceasefire deal with Iran

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is briefed.

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

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

Rina Bassist

Associate Editor (Israel)

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Pessimism prevails as Gaza cease-fire talks resume in Doha

Negotiators are meeting in Doha for what the Biden administration has described as “final stage” Gaza cease-fire talks. But with Hamas refusing to participate and Israel driving a hard bargain, is there any reason for optimism?

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, displaced Palestinians return to Bani Suhayla and neighboring towns east of Khan Younis following reports of Israeli forces withdrawing from the area in the southern Gaza, July 30, 2024.

Gaza cease-fire talks begin in Doha without Hamas

Israeli, American, Egyptian and Qatari representatives are meeting Thursday for another push to finalize a deal to halt the Hamas-Israel war.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Qatar to host Gaza cease-fire talks amid Iran-Israel tension: What we know

Hamas says it will not attend the talks, which will take place in Doha.

An armed Israeli soldier watches nationalists gathered at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem on June 5, 2024, during the so-called Jerusalem Day flag march.

Ben-Gvir’s Temple Mount visit angers both Muslims, ultra-Orthodox

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's visit to the Temple Mount on the fasting day of Tisha B’Av drew condemnation not only from the Muslim world but also the ultra-Orthodox community.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Israel’s Elbit Systems sees Q2 revenues rise by 12% amid Gaza war sales

Around 27% of the company sales came from Israel compared to 17% last year, as military equipment demand increases for the war efforts in Gaza.

Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard boats attack a naval vessel during a three-day military drill in the Gulf on April 22, 2010.

Iran’s navy conducts drills in north as Israel, region brace for escalation

The drills come at a time of heightened tensions in the region, amid an expected Iranian attack against Israel over the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

OREN ZIV/AFP via Getty Images

Israel's Netanyahu shakes off credit downgrade as deficit grows

Last week, Israel reported that its 12-month trailing deficit widened to 8.1% in July, from 7.7% in June.

Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

US delegations head to Middle East in bid to head off major escalation

Iran's diplomatic mission to the UN denied reports that Tehran is seeking a seat at the table for last-ditch Gaza cease-fire talks planned for Thursday.

rocket fire

Analysis

Iran, Israel in 'war of nerves' as US applies pressure to reach Gaza deal

The Biden administration is working both fronts simultaneously by pressuring the sides to reach a cease-fire deal in Gaza and limiting the expected attack on Israel by Iran and Hezbollah.

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

This handout picture provided by the Iranian army office on Dec. 24, 2023, shows equipment on display.

US says Iran’s attack on Israel 'could be this week'

With the timing of Iran's attack unclear, the White House says it's preparing for a "significant set of attacks."

Imane Khelif

Middle East athletes rack up 44 medals at Paris Olympics

Ten Middle Eastern countries won medals at this year's Paris games.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant leaves the State Department after meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the US State Department in Washington, DC, on March 25, 2024. The White House said Monday it was "perplexed" and "disappointed" by the cancelation of an Israeli delegation's planned visit to discuss US concerns over a possible offensive in southern Gaza. Israel scrapped the visit after the United States abstained from a UN Security Council vote demanding an "immediate ceasefire" in Ga

Gallant clashes with Netanyahu, cautions against Israeli war in Lebanon

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the military is ready for possible attacks by Iran and Hezbollah, but he does not support a preemptive operation in Lebanon.