Trump

Donald Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner (L), White House special envoy Steve Witkoff (C) and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attend a meeting between President Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (not pictured) at a summit on Gaza in Sharm el-Sheikh, Oct. 13, 2025.

Analysis

How the Trump administration reshaped US diplomacy toward Hamas

Unlike previous administrations, Trump’s team has engaged directly and openly with the Palestinian group — without congressional or public blowback.

By Rosaleen Carroll

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

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin (L) talks to U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on April 7, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump is meeting with Netanyahu to discuss ongoing efforts to release Israeli hostages from Gaza and newly imposed U.S. tariffs. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Exclusive

Inside Netanyahu’s pressure campaign to block Turkey, Saudi Arabia from acquiring F-35s

On Dec. 1, Netanyahu met in his Jerusalem office with Frank St. John, chief operating officer of Lockheed Martin, lead contractor for the F-35's production.

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

Cyprus' Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos speaks to media at a Ministerial Council meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on December 4, 2025 in Vienna, Austria. (GEORG HOCHMUTH/AFP via Getty Images)

Interview

Cyprus weighs joining Gaza force but 'not enough clarity' on mission, FM says

Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos also discussed using his country's maritime aid corridor to support Gaza's reconstruction.

Constantinos Kombos

Cypriot Foreign Minister

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Oval Office at the White House on September 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump has signaled that the U.S. might lift a ban on F-35 sales to Turkey during Erdogan's first visit to the White House since 2019. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Turkey, US push toward $100B trade goal as Bolat heads to Washington

Bilateral trade between the United States and Turkey reached almost $43 billion in 2024, according to the US trade representative.

Latest News

Analysis

Five ways Turkey could get back into US F-35 fighter jet program

A Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter takes off during an air show at the Teknofest festival at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul on Sept. 17, 2019.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Mideast funds back Paramount's $108B Warner Bros. takeover bid

Multiple exposure photograph of the Netflix and Warner Bros logos in front of a television screen at Kerlouan in Brittany in France, on Dec. 5 2025.

Israel's Hostage Square takes new shape as one last body left in Gaza

People take part in a demonstration at Hostage Square in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv on Oct. 25, 2025, calling for the release of all the bodies of hostages held in Gaza by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Analysis

Differences over Hamas, Turkey and Iran overshadow Netanyahu-Trump summit

US President Donald Trump (L) greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrives at the West Wing of the White House, Washington, Sept. 29, 2025.

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

A banner lists the countries funding the World Food Program at a food distribution point run by the Ukrainian charity Angels of Salvation (AOS), on Feb. 7, 2025, in Druzhkivka, Ukraine.

Norwegian Refugee Council halts aid in over 20 countries after USAID cuts

The Norwegian Refugee Council warned that it would have to halt life-saving programs if US government payments are not resumed.

Staff Writer

By Staff Writer

Yair Golan in Tel Aviv on Feb. 2, 2025.

Interview

Amid Israel's rightward shift, left struggles for relevance

In a special interview with Al-Monitor, Yair Golan, leader of center-left party the Democrats, insists that the Palestinian Authority must play a pivotal role in the future administration of Gaza.

Yair Golan

Yair Golan

Chair of the Democrats Party

People watch and wave as a helicopter, part of the hostage-release convoy, lands at Belinson-Schneider Hospital on Jan. 25, 2025, in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Hamas names 3 Israeli hostages to be released as ceasefire deal faces complications

After a brief delay, Hamas communicated to Israel the names of the three hostages set to be released on Saturday.

U.S. President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in Washington, D.C. on February 4, 2025. (Photo by Bryan Dozier / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by BRYAN DOZIER/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Will Trump's Gaza plan scuttle fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire?

Strong negative responses to Trump's plan to transfer Palestinians from Gaza may provide Hamas an excuse not to release more hostages, Israeli officials fear.

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

US President Donald Trump speaks to the press as he signs an executive order to create a US sovereign wealth fund in the Oval Office of the White House on Feb. 3, 2025.

Analysis

Will Trump’s maximum pressure on Iran restart talks or force escalation?

President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum to impose “maximum pressure” on Iran, a campaign that — during his first term — levied intense sanctions on the country in hopes of bringing it back to the negotiating table for nuclear talks.

By Rosaleen Carroll

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

JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Could Trump’s Gaza plan be negotiating tactic for Saudi-Israel deal?

On a visit to the White House, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu surely didn't imagine that President Donald Trump would propose the United States take over responsibility for managing and reconstructing the Gaza Strip.

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

Sudanese army soldiers patrol an area in Khartoum North, on Nov. 3, 2024.

Battle for Khartoum at tipping point as Sudan military advances

After years of fighting between Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces, the two groups’ battle for the capital city of Khartoum could be coming to a head.

This pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik shows Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attending a welcoming ceremony ahead of their talks in Riyadh on December 6, 2023. (Photo by Alexey NIKOLSKY / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ALEXEY NIKOLSKY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia would 'welcome the chance' to host Trump-Putin summit

Trump and Putin are expected to hold a phone call soon, and Gulf leaders are angling for a mediation role between the two.

US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu participate in a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on Sept. 15, 2020, in Washington, DC.

Netanyahu first foreign leader to meet Trump Tuesday: What to expect

While President Donald trump is expected to push Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to go through with the second phase of the hostage deal, the Israeli leader is expected to ask the American president to turn up the heat on Tehran.

Demonstrators gather outside the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip on Jan. 31, 2025 to protest against a plan floated by US President Donald Trump to move Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to Egypt and Jordan.

Thousands in Egypt protest Trump’s push to transfer Palestinians

Trump’s recent comments on sending Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan have put the Egyptian and Jordanian leadership on edge and sparked protests among Egyptian civilians.

People walk near the rubble of a collapsed building along Gaza's coastal al-Rashid Street, crossing from southern Gaza into Gaza City, Jan. 26, 2025.

Analysis

Inside Witkoff's Gaza visit: Trump's envoy assures Israel on next steps

After taking US envoy Steve Witkoff on an "excellent tour" of Gaza, Israeli officials hope he will persuade President Donald Trump of their vision for Gaza's future.

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

Tulsi Gabbard testifies during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Jan. 30, 2025, in Washington, DC.

Tulsi Gabbard grilled about Assad, Iran views at confirmation hearing

In her confirmation hearing for director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard was pressed on her relationship with former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and walked back previous statements criticizing Trump's policy choices.