Analysis Turkey casts Israel’s Somaliland move as overreach, but Somalia’s fragility poses risks Israel’s recognition of Somaliland is widely dismissed in Ankara as a strategic overreach, but it is nevertheless exposing the limits of Turkey’s influence in Somalia. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Somalia’s president heads to Turkey as Israel’s Somaliland recognition rattles region The Somali leader’s visit comes amid a heightened Turkish-Israeli rivalry, fueled by Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, in the region and beyond. Turkey
Analysis In 2025, Netanyahu saved his coalition but stalled on Gaza, Iran, Lebanon With 2025 ending, Israelis are frustrated over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to fully end the Gaza war, solve the Hezbollah problem, reach a deal with Syria or find a way to constructively impact talks on the Iranian nuclear program. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Facing Israeli pushback, Turkey recalibrates public messaging on Gaza force Turkey’s top diplomat has suggested that being part of the Gaza stabilization force is not Ankara’s priority. Turkey
Analysis Stunt or recalibration? Israel's Raam to break with Muslim Brotherhood By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis How the Trump administration reshaped US diplomacy toward Hamas By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Palestinian plan to form local councils faces daunting odds Palestinian authorities approved creating a local council to provide basic services for the Bedouin village of Khan al-Ahmar, which lies in Area C under Israeli security and administrative control. Palestine
Israel, Egypt cooperate in efforts to calm Gaza On the backdrop of the crisis in Gaza, Israel considers internal Palestinian reconciliation a security interest and a possible end to arson kite attacks. Palestine
Palestinians decry Israeli visa restrictions on foreign academics Experts fear the quality of university education will go downhill as a result of Israel’s refusal to renew visas for many foreign professors teaching in universities in the West Bank. Palestine
Israeli legislators strip Arabic of official language status The Nationality Law, adopted this week, strips Arabic of its status as Israel’s second official language. Israel
Congress calls on Trump to recognize Israeli sovereignty over Golan After President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, congressional Republicans are rallying around the Netanyahu government’s next big ask. Palestine
Hamas leaders opt for gradual cease-fire Hamas leaders refuse to stop the campaign against Israel of incendiary kites and balloons all at once, lest it be perceived as admitting to failure. Palestine
Israel frees Turkish woman accused of terror-related smuggling The release of a Turkish woman charged with smuggling in Israel marks an upturn in Turkey’s volatile relations with Israel, but analysts warn that the two countries' motivations for friendship — cynical business interests — can only do so much to keep the tension at bay. Israel
Netanyahu feeling the heat from Gaza Israelis on the right are fed up with incendiary balloons and kites launched from Gaza, forcing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hand to unleash the IDF against Gaza for fear of paying an electoral price. Palestine
Knesset members entering Al-Aqsa provoke Palestinians Tensions are simmering over the Israeli prime minister's action to lift the ban on Knesset members visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Palestine
US administration silent on Israel's occupation policy Contrary to former US administrations, President Donald Trump accepts Israel's ongoing occupation and settlement policies without requiring concessions for the Palestinians. Palestine
International pressure sways Israel on village demolition The case of the Bedouin Palestinian village of Khan al-Ahmar shows that sometimes, international pressure is the only way to confront Israeli injustices in the West Bank. Palestine