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August 11, 2026

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Analysis

Netanyahu rejects Trump’s Gaza plan while quietly implementing it

Even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that he rejects US President Donald Trump’s Gaza reconstruction plan, Israel is advancing its implementation.

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

Alex Wong/Getty Images

Analysis

As pro-Palestinian candidates gain ground, will AIPAC's influence wane?

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s influence has weakened in the Democratic Party and may also be at risk among Republicans.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Hussein FALEH / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

As US rethinks regional presence, Israel shifts focus to destabilizing Iran

Uncertain how to interpret the American regional redeployment, Israel is focusing on efforts to destabilize the Iranian regime and stop its nuclear program.

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

Latest News

AIPAC to oppose El-Sayed after major Michigan primary victory

Michigan Democratic Senate primary winner Abdul El-Sayed

Israel-Lebanon talks suspended amid escalation, set to resume Thursday

Israeli battle tanks deploy in the village of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah (Eastern Zawtar) in southern Lebanon as pictured from the nearby village of Zawtar al-Gharbiyah (Western Zawtar) on August 2, 2026. Under a US-sponsored agreement signed in June, Lebanon's army is to disarm Hezbollah and the Israeli military is to withdraw from "pilot zones" where Lebanese forces will subsequently deploy. The deal came more than three months after Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East with rocket fire at Israel in suppo

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Diplomatic Correspondent

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

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Joyce Karam

Editor-in-Chief

Rosaleen Carroll

News Reporter and Supporting Editor

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Paul J. Saunders

In Washington, DC, reporting on Russia in the Middle East

Democratic Party platform criticizes possible Israeli annexation of West Bank, Saudi role in Yemen

Parts of the platform approved at the Democratic National Convention this week have been both praised and criticized by Israel- and Iran-focused groups in Washington.

US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale (2-L) and US Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea (L), accompanied by Lebanese army officers, tour at the site of last week's explosion that hit the seaport of the Lebanese capital Beirut, on August 15, 2020. - Hale today called for a transparent and credible probe into the explosion at Beirut's port, as FBI investigators were set to arrive in Lebanon to assist authorities. (Photo by NABIL MOUNZER / POOL / AFP) (Photo by NABIL MOUNZER/POOL/AFP via Ge

US official links long-term aid to reform in Lebanon

Following his visit to Lebanon, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale told reporters that further economic assistance will be linked to IMF reform package.

Face masks are distributed to Yemeni students upon their arrival to sit for their final secondary school exams in the capital Sanaa on August 15, 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic crisis. (Photo by Mohammed HUWAIS / AFP) (Photo by MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP via Getty Images)

'Time is running out' in Yemen: NGOs urge USAID to restore funding to Houthi-held north

Six of the largest humanitarian responders in Yemen urged USAID acting administrator John Barsa to immediately restore aid to Houthi-held northern Yemen.

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - MARCH 09: U.S Vice President Joe Biden gives a speech at the office meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on March 9, 2016 in Jerusalem, Israel. U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is on a two day visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories. (Photo by Ilia Yefimovich/Getty Images)

Netanyahu fears that Biden as president would renew Iran deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintains a friendly relationship with US presidential candidate Joe Biden, but fears that if elected, President Biden would return to talks with Iran.

US won't seek death penalty for Islamic State 'Beatles' if UK shares evidence, Barr says

The United States will move forward with plans to prosecute El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey if the United Kingdom, their home country, shares key evidence.

Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (L) speaks during a press conference with US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo at the State Department in Washington, DC on August 19, 2020. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Intel: Iraq to ink oil deal with Chevron, foreign minister says

The Iraqi government will sign an agreement with American oil company Chevron, Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said during his visit to Washington on Wednesday.

US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo listens to a reporter's question during a press conference with Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein at the State Department in Washington, DC on August 19, 2020. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Intel: Pompeo says US to trigger snapback sanctions on Iran 'soon'

The Donald Trump administration will "soon" act on its threat to trigger a return of international sanctions on Iran, Secretary of State Pompeo said Wednesday after the United States lost its bid to indefinitely extend an arms embargo on Tehran.

Iran’s hard-liners push legislation to exit nuclear deal

If passed, the legislation proposed by hard-liners would effectively force the government into a farewell to the fragile nuclear deal depending on UN action.

People wear facemasks as US President Donald Trump delivers remarks on the economy at an airport hangar on August 17, 2020 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump says US embassy move to Jerusalem 'for the evangelicals'

At a campaign rally the day the Democratic National Convention opened, Trump said that Christian voters are more supportive of US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital than Jewish voters.

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 13: Senior Advisor to President Donald Trump Jared Kushner listens as National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien speaks during a press briefing at the White House on August 13, 2020 in Washington, DC. Kushner appeared with President Trump earlier today as Trump announced a new peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Kushner: US won’t sign off on West Bank annexation 'for some time'

Top US presidential adviser Jared Kushner has said the focus will be implementing the agreement reached last week between Israel and United Arab Emirates.

United Arab Emirates

(FILES) In this file photo taken on November 28, 2019, US President Donald Trump speaks to the troops during a surprise Thanksgiving day visit at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan. - President Donald Trump has shattered through norms and niceties on the world stage in his nearly three years in office. Entering an election year, Trump is unlikely to slow down as he seeks what has largely eluded him -- a headline-grabbing victory. The tycoon turned president closes 2019 with a new stride after what was perhaps

Intel: Iran paid bounties to Taliban for US soldiers, influencing Soleimani strike

US officials tell CNN the administration took no action against the Taliban in order to preserve its peace deal with the insurgents.

US Vice President Joe Biden (L)attends a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey on the sidelines of the nuclear summit in Washington, DC, on March 31, 2016. / AFP / ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS (Photo credit should read ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey takes aim at Biden after old comments on Erdogan resurface

Turkish politicians are expressing outrage over presumptive US presidential candidate Joe Biden calling for the Turkish president's ouster back in December, likely because Recep Tayyip Erdogan is using them to whip up nationalist fervor against the United States.