Middle East leaders join Trump’s Board of Peace despite mandate concerns Foreign officials are scrambling to understand the board’s expansive mandate ahead of a signing ceremony Thursday. Palestine
Russia to host PA’s Abbas as Putin mulls joining Trump's Gaza Board of Peace President Mahmoud Abbas’ visit will coincide with the signing ceremony of the Trump administration's Board of Peace charter on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday. Palestine
Turkey, Israel, Pakistan to join Trump's Board of Peace as Italy hedges: What to know The Turkish president accepted the US leader's invitation to join the Gaza Board of Peace along with Egypt and Israel. Turkey
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
Analysis In 2025, Netanyahu saved his coalition but stalled on Gaza, Iran, Lebanon By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Israeli settlers use cemeteries to gain foothold on land The decision to bury terror victim Rabbi Raziel Shevach in the unauthorized West Bank outpost where he lived serves the settlers’ agenda of establishing facts on the ground. Palestine
The Palestinian village with only three residents While all of the inhabitants of the town of Shoshahla left under Israeli threats, three people have returned and continue to cling to their land and refuse to leave a second time. Palestine
Hamas' Meshaal re-emerges with Maghreb tour The former head of Hamas’ political bureau, Khaled Meshaal, paid official visits to Mauritania and Morocco, a sign of the movement’s efforts to shore up support in the region. Palestine
Will Israel cut Palestinian budget for terror payouts? Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman and other Israeli politicians claim that the stipends paid to Palestinian prisoners in Israel and their families constitute incitement to terror. Palestine
Palestinian leadership faces monumental decisions The Palestinian Central Council faces some tough choices when it meets in Ramallah, but it is unclear what consensus can be reached on. Palestine
Trump’s peace deal: A Gaza-centered Palestine The Trump administration is elaborating on a Mideast peace plan of trilateral or even quadruple land swaps, involving Israel, the Palestinians, Egypt and, possibly, Jordan. Saudi Arabia
Rouhani on defense after attack on hard-line 'fraudulent institutions' Reformists sidelined in Iran's street protests; reactions in Iraq and Turkey; Iran rebuilds ties with Hamas via Hezbollah. Palestine
Will Fatah launch 'intifada of independence'? Palestinians warn that absent a diplomatic route toward Palestinian statehood, Fatah might launch in 2018 an intifada of independence. Palestine
How Ahed Tamimi became an icon to Palestinians With her indictment in Israeli court last month, 16-year-old Palestinian Ahed Tamimi has reached hero status among Palestinians for her confrontations with Israeli soldiers. Palestine
Has Israel’s defense minister changed approach on Hamas? Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman estimates that provoking Hamas and generating a military confrontation with the group does not serve Israel’s security interest. Palestine
Trump's Jerusalem decision opens Israeli expansionism floodgates The Israeli ruling Likud Party has voted on a decision to annex the settlements in the West Bank to Israel, raising the anger of Palestinians who threatened to take the matter to international courts. Palestine
Netanyahu, Abbas take off diplomatic masks While Likud ministers freely discuss annexation of parts of the West Bank, the Palestinians are preparing to request UN recognition of Palestine as a state under foreign occupation. Palestine
