Trump

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) (C) takes questions from reporters as House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA) (L) and U.S. House Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Ted Lieu (D-CA) look on during a press conference at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee headquarters on November 04, 2026 in Washington, DC. Democrats successfully flipped control of both the House and Senate following historic wins in the 2026 midterm elections, shifting the balance of power in Washington. (Photo by Kevin

Explainer

Three ways Democrats could cut off Trump’s Iran war funding

With fewer than 20 days on the Senate’s legislative calendar before Democrats take the majority in January, Republicans face an uphill battle to rush funding to the Pentagon ahead of the new Congress.

Atta KENARE / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

As Mossad chief visits US, fears grow Netanyahu could strike Iran to block Eisenkot

Israel's opposition leaders fear that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could exploit the transition period to reignite the Iran conflict, thereby delaying or even preventing the formation of a new government.

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

A Man-Portable Tactical Autonomous Systems (MANTAS) T-12 unmanned surface vessel (USV) sails in the Gulf waters, ahead of a Bahraini Coast Guard vessel during a joint naval exercise between US 5th Fleet Command and Bahraini forces, on October 26, 2021. - The US and Bahrain navies conducted a joint exercise at sea, launching a series of drills integrating unmanned systems into regional maritime operations. (Photo by Mazen Mahdi / AFP) (Photo by MAZEN MAHDI/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran’s IRGC claims attack on US target in Bahrain: What to know

The US military denied that Iran had targeted an early-warning system in Bahrain, saying its forces shot down two Iranian drones headed toward the Gulf island.

Amir Levy/Getty Images

Eisenkot meets Netanyahu in bid to avoid Iran strikes

Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a security briefing amid opposition concerns that the government could launch a military operation against Iran.

Latest News

Rubio rejects Iran reparation demand as Trump touts deal momentum

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press during the G7 foreign ministers summit at the George C. Marshall Center in the Hotel Talleyrand in Paris, on Nov. 10, 2026.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Slotkin, Van Hollen emerge as potential challengers to Schumer’s Senate leadership

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 23: U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) speaks at a press conference on China AI export controls at the U.S. Capitol on September 23, 2026 in Washington, DC. Slotkin, joined by fellow Senate Democrats, urged Senate Republican's and the Trump administration to enact stronger export controls on AI technology and computer chips to China. The Democrats also call for a vote on bipartisan export control legislation, including the AI OVERWATCH Act, the MATCH Act, and the Chip Security Act. (

Trump meets Qatar PM as mediators push Iran deal

President Donald Trump (R) attends a bilateral meeting with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during the G7 summit, in Evian, France, on June 16, 2026.

Iran claims IAEA held 'recent' inspection at Bushehr plant: What to know

A picture taken on Nov. 10, 2019, shows an Iranian flag at Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani, arrives at the venue of the JCPOA meeting that aims at reviving the Iran nuclear deal, in Vienna on Feb. 8, 2022.

Analysis

The Takeaway: Differences persist as clock ticks on Vienna talks

Islamic State and Turkey; HTS's role in Islamic State leader's killing; Iran's message for Iraq; Gaza's dangerous landfills; Egypt's climate action; and more.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Andrew Parasiliti

Joe Snell

By Elizabeth Hagedorn , Andrew Parasiliti , Joe Snell

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani, arrives at the Coburg Palais, venue of the JCPOA meeting aimed at reviving the Iran nuclear deal, in Vienna on Dec. 17, 2021.

Iran says much of nuclear deal text is ready

Iran says progress has been made in Vienna, but the United States must decide on sanctions removal.

A crowd gathers to mark the second anniversary of the killing of Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, in the southern Iraqi city of Basra, on Jan. 8, 2022.

Khamenei website posts animation of Trump targeted in strike

The video was released in line with renewed threats from Iran’s hard-line establishment against a hit list of former US officials involved in the killing of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani speaks to the press in front of Palais Coburg, venue for the JCPOA meeting that aims to revive the Iran nuclear deal, in Vienna on Dec. 27, 2021.

Iran says Vienna talks on ‘good path’

Iranian media and officials have expressed optimism over the latest round of nuclear talks.

Al-Monitor Staff

By Al-Monitor Staff

AFP reporter Sammy Ketz hits the ground as a Syrian soldier runs past during sniper fire in the ancient Christian Syrian town of Maalula, on Sept. 18, 2013.

Middle East sees most hostage-taking of journalists in 2021, report says

Reporters Without Borders said of the 65 journalists held by nonstate actors worldwide, nearly all were abducted in Syria, Yemen and Iraq.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett meets with Emirati Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, Dec. 13, 2021.

The Takeaway: Did Israeli PM help break deadlock over US weapons sale to UAE?

Also: The Gulf and climate; Syrian refugees return from Belarus; Israel expands Golan settlements; Egypt wants assurances on gas pipeline; China-Ethiopia ties unsettle Egypt; Iran threatens sanctions on US; Building Sharjah … all in less than 1,200 words!

Andrew Parasiliti

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Joe Snell

By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn , Joe Snell

A picture taken on April 23, 2019, shows a general view of the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, which Israel seized from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War.

Israel’s Bennett strives to increase Jewish population in Golan Heights

Trying to appeal to his right-wing electoral base, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett advances plans for increased Jewish settlement in the Golan Heights.

Iranian diplomat and political deputy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran Ali Bagheri Kani, in London, on Nov. 11, 2021.

Iran says window for talks not 'open forever' as Vienna dialogue resumes

Iran insists that it wants the original terms of the nuclear deal fully implemented.

European External Action Service (EEAS) Deputy Secretary-General Enrique Mora (C) looks on as Iran's newly elected president, Ebrahim Raisi, speaks.

European powers blast Iran's 'troubling' nuclear violations

The United Kingdom, France and Germany urged Iran to return to the negotiating table following reports the country has accelerated its nuclear program.

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar

Afghan chaos further incentive for India’s efforts to strengthen ties with Iran

The recent rise of the Taliban in Kabul has expedited New Delhi's efforts to boost ties with Iran, which is positioned to be India's main corridor to Afghanistan, yet major challenges remain.

US President Joe Biden (R) and Jordan's King Abdullah II smile during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on July 19, 2021.

The Takeaway: Biden-Abdullah White House summit key to Israel-Jordan reset

Jordan-Israel ties had hit rock bottom under Netanyahu; Also: Will Zarif pick up Raisi’s road map on the Iran deal?; Israel prepares Raisi file; Egypt, Ethiopia compete for power partnerships; Saudi-Ethiopian ties strained by Nile dam dispute; Russia’s vaccine diplomacy stumbles; the latest Pharaonic parade.

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

Netanyahu reportedly urged Trump to attack Iran

The New Yorker has revealed former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's role in former US President Donald Trump's push to strike Iran during his final days in office.