Archives for January, 2025

Saudi's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud attends the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Kuwait City, Kuwait, Dec. 26, 2024.

Saudi FM set to travel to Lebanon, will press Beirut for 'real reform'

Prince Faisal said he would meet Lebanon's new leadership to gauge potential for Saudi investment and noted that Trump's reelection lessened the prospect of war in the region

Taliban authorities welcomed Afghan fighter Khan Mohammed (C) who was imprisoned in the United States, as he arrived in Jalalabad in eastern Nangarhar province

Afghan Taliban government swaps prisoners with US

Agence France-Presse

WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain delivers a speech at the first meeting of the Global School Meals Coalition, in Paris, on Oct. 18, 2023.

Interview

WFP chief McCain urges funding to alleviate Syria's hunger crisis

WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain warned of donor fatigue after nearly 14 years of civil war in Syria.

Cindy McCain

Cindy McCain

WFP Executive Director

Donald Trump is sworn in as US president in the Rotunda of the US Capitol, in Washington, on Jan. 20, 2025.

From Syria to Yemen: Middle East reacts to Donald Trump’s inauguration

Donald Trump's inauguration sparked a mix of optimism and cautious reactions across the Middle East, with US allies expressing hope for continued collaboration, while Iran, Palestine and regional proxies voiced concerns about his policies and their impact on regional stability.

Israeli forces in armored vehicles conduct a raid in Jenin in the occupied West Bank on Jan. 21, 2025.

Israeli raid in West Bank kills 8 in Jenin as tensions soar

The operation follows Israeli concerns about the presence of Iran-backed groups in the Palestinian territory as well as a crackdown by the Palestinian Authority's security services.

A car belonging to Palestinian villagers set on fire during clashes after the Israeli settlers stormed the village of Qusra in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Wahaj Bani Moufleh / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by WAHAJ BANI MOUFLEH/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump revokes sanctions on Israeli settlers in West Bank: What we know

On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed a flurry of executive orders from withdrawing from the World Health Organization to reversing one that sanctioned violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank.

Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi (front) arrives at a ceremony marking Memorial Day for fallen soldiers of Israel's wars and victims of attacks at Jerusalem's Mount Herzl military cemetery on May 13, 2024.

Breaking | Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 9:58 am

Israeli military chief of staff Halevi resigns over Oct. 7 failures

Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi has sent a letter announcing his resignation as of March 6 over the failure to prevent the Oct. 7 2023, Hamas attack.

"We came back in the hope that our home would be different to this," Syrian grandfather Omar Kafozi said

Syrians return to homes devastated by war

Agence France-Presse

Former US President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Israeli American Council National Summit at the Washington Hilton, on Sept. 19, 2024, in Washington.

Analysis

Will Netanyahu follow through with ending Gaza war?

Despite his promise to President Donald Trump to end the war in Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also assured hard-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that the fighting would continue until Hamas is defeated.

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

The fire at a hotel in Turkey’s northwestern province of Bolu at a 12-story wooden-clad hotel

Turkey declares national day of mourning after ski resort fire kills at least 76

The blaze struck a popular ski resort hotel, leaving dozens dead.

Palestinians carry their belongings as they return to Rafah in southern Gaza, surrounded by destruction

Israel army chief resigns over October 7 'failure'

Agence France-Presse

US President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address after being sworn in as the the 47th president of the United States in the Rotunda of the US Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump takes office for his second non-consecutive term as the 47th president of the United States. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla / POOL / AFP) (Photo by CHIP SOMODEVILLA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump 'not confident' Gaza deal will hold

Agence France-Presse

Meirav Leshem Gonen, the mother of freed hostage Romi Gonen, speaks during a press conference at an Israeli hospital, following of the release of three captives from Gaza

Relatives of freed Gaza hostages call for release of remaining captives

Agence France-Presse

Palestinian prisoner Nael Barghouthi (R), seen here in 2013, is set to be deported after his release as part of a Gaza ceasefire deal

Joy short-lived for wife of Palestinian prisoner to be exiled upon release

Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: Donald Trump is sworn into office as Melania Trump holds the Bible in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States. (Photo by Saul Loeb - Pool/Getty Images)

Analysis

With Trump inaugurated, how will the Republican trifecta reshape Middle East?

Trump’s White House will have the support of the House and Senate on post-war Israel and Gaza, Iran deterrence, Saudi normalization and more.

Megan Mineiro

By Megan Mineiro

In Washington, DC, reporting on US Congress

Burak Kara/Getty Images

Turkey’s Erdogan to discuss Russian gas supplies to Slovakia with Putin

The move comes after Ukraine shut down a pipeline that had long transited Russian gas to Central Europe.