Israeli-Gulf relations

Debris litters a loading dock a day after Israeli strikes on the port of Yemen's Houthi-held city of Hodeida on July 21, 2024.

Analysis

Israel’s Yemen attack against Houthis warning to nuclear Iran

While concerns grow in Israel over the continued drone and missile attacks by the Houthis in Yemen, the real threat remains that of Iran.

By Ben Caspit

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

Trump Tower interior

Quick Take

Trump adds to Gulf portfolio with Dubai tower deal

The Trump Organization and Dar Global have unveiled a new development, adding to others in Oman and Saudi Arabia this year.

United Arab Emirates

Amir Levy/Getty Images

Analysis

Israeli Oct. 7 probe of Kibbutz Be'eri shows massive operational failures

Israel is only now discovering the magnitude of the military, operational and intelligence failures that enabled the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Kibbutz Be’eri and 20 other villages and cities in the south of Israel.

By Ben Caspit

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

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 1: U.S. President Joe Biden arrives for a news conference following the Supreme Court's ruling on charges against former President Donald Trump that he sought to subvert the 2020 election, at the White House on July 1, 2024 in Washington, DC. The highest court ruled 6-3 that presidents have some level of immunity from prosecution when operating within their "constitutional authority," but do not have absolute immunity. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Quick Take

Middle East crises loom in background as NATO leaders gather in Washington

While this year's summit is expected to focus largely on the ongoing war in Ukraine, Iran's military support for Russia and Turkey's strategic balancing act with Moscow are expected to weigh on NATO leaders gathered in Washington.

Washington Pulse

Latest News

Interview

NATO's deputy chief says Iran helping Russian 'threat to European security'

NATO Deputy Secretary General, Mircea Geoana, chairs a session of North Atlantic Council (NAC) with Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Sarajevo, on February 1, 2024. (Photo by Elvis BARUKCIC / AFP) (Photo by ELVIS BARUKCIC/AFP via Getty Images)

Mircea Geoana

With Mircea Geoana

NATO Deputy Secretary-General

Analysis

As Netanyahu huffs and puffs, Israel on hold waiting for Sinwar, ICC

Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, attends the opening of a new mosque in Rafah, Feb. 24, 2017.

By Ben Caspit

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

Biden’s grand bargain between Saudi Arabia and Israel hangs by a thread

TOPSHOT - US President Joe Biden (C-L) and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (C) arrive for the family photo during the Jeddah Security and Development Summit (GCC+3) at a hotel in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah on July 16, 2022. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Jared Szuba

By Jared Szuba

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

US sees Iran attack as strategic win for regional air defense

A truck carries an Iranian 'Fattah' hypersonic ballistic missile during the annual military parade marking the anniversary of the outbreak of the devastating 1980-1988 war with Saddam Hussein's Iraq, in Tehran on Sept. 22, 2023.

Jared Szuba

By Jared Szuba

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

Quick Take

Qatar 'reevaluating' Hamas-Israel mediation role amid mounting criticism

An Iranian Navy warship takes part in the "National Persian Gulf day" in the Strait of Hormuz, on April 30, 2019.

Regional View

Iran naval chief calls Israeli presence in UAE 'threat,' seeks Islamic army coalition

During the course of the Gaza war, Iran has been critical of some Islamic countries for their refusal to sever ties with Israel, and it's hoping that the war will shelve Arab-Israeli normalization plans.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan.

Quick Take

White House postpones top delegation to Saudi Arabia on Israel normalization

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan's visit to Saudi Arabia has been postponed due to an injury.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (R) meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Jeddah on March 20, 2024. Secretary of State Blinken, who landed in Jeddah earlier on March 20 on the first leg of a regional tour that was extended to include Israel, met with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan before holding talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (Photo by Evelyn Hockstein / POOL / AFP) (Photo by EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

As Netanyahu stalls, can Saudis, US internationalize peace framework?

The Biden administration is still trying to keep the prospects of Saudi-Israeli normalization alive.

Aziz Alghashian

By Aziz Alghashian

In Riyadh, reporting on regional politics

FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images

Regional View

Chemi Peres: Israeli tech back to business, cyber security among most resilient

Despite the war and the divides within the Israeli society, tech entrepreneur Chemi Peres embraces the optimism of his father, late President Shimon Peres, for the future of the country’s innovation ecosystem.

This picture taken from Israel's southern border with the Gaza Strip shows Israeli army battle tank at a position along the border with the Palestinian territory, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, March 19, 2024.

Analysis

As Netanyahu balks at PA control, Hamas cells regroup in north Gaza

The Israeli military said it killed around 50 Hamas militants after storming Gaza City’s Al-Shifa hospital on Sunday as Israeli intelligence signals Hamas cells are regrouping in the north.

By Ben Caspit

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

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - MARCH 16: Prime Minister Boris Johnson (L) is welcomed by Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, ahead of a meeting at the Royal Court on March 16, 2022 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Boris Johnson’s visit to the Middle East comes amid rocketing oil prices due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He is hoping to persuade both Saudi Arabia and the UAE to increase their oil production and help bring down prices. (Photo by Stefan Rousseau - Pool/Getty Images)

The tightrope: Saudi Arabia's pursuit of Palestinian state amid Israeli defiance

Saudi Arabia wants a comprehensive, regional settlement with Israel that also results in a Palestinian state, which the Netanyahu government has rejected.

Amal Altwaijri

By Amal Altwaijri

In Los Angeles, US, reporting on Saudi Arabia

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian speaks at the General Assembly on Oct. 26, 2023, in New York City.

Regional View

At Saudi OIC summit, Iran seeks Islamic world's 'decisive' action against Israel

In its relentless diplomatic offensive to isolate Israel, Tehran has so far failed to talk Islamic countries into severing economic ties with Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) attends a Knesset meeting, Jerusalem, July 10, 2023.

Analysis

How Israeli Knesset’s rejection of Palestinian state shows far-right’s hold on Netanyahu

While the Knesset overwhelmingly approved of the prime minister’s proposal to reject any “unilateral recognition" of a Palestinian state, the opposition accused Netanyahu of inventing “a threat that doesn’t exist.”

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Israeli navy ships maneuver at the military port of Ashdod, southern Israel, July 29, 2018.

Regional View

Israel’s Ashdod port bounces back from Gaza war setback

Israel's Ashdod port is grappling with increased competition, threats from Yemen's Houthis and other regional challenges.

Prime Minister Dr. Salam Fayyad (L) submits his government's resignation to President Mahmoud Abbas on Feb. 14, 2011, in Ramallah, West Bank.

Who are Abbas' main Palestinian PM contenders after Gaza war?

Postwar governance of Gaza is the focus of increased diplomatic outreach in the Arab world, with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas having in recent days visited Qatar to get Hamas' buy-in on the makeup of a new Palestinian government.

Daoud Kuttab

By Daoud Kuttab

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Burns, Barnea and Al Thani met Egyptian officials in Cairo on Feb. 13, 2024, "to discuss a truce in Gaza."

Regional View

Mossad chief leaves Cairo after talks with US, Egypt, Qatar on new Israel-Hamas deal

The meeting in Cairo between Israeli, American, Egyptian and Qatari top officials ended after several hours of discussions in an attempt to advance a deal for the release of hostages and a cease-fire in Gaza.

BERTRAND GUAY/AFP via Getty Images

What does Saudi Arabia’s position on Palestinian state signal to US, Israel?

The kingdom's statement released on Wednesday attempts to send multiple messages, some directed at Saudi Arabia's internal public opinion, others to the Biden administration and Netanyahu government.

Aziz Alghashian

By Aziz Alghashian

In Riyadh, reporting on regional politics