United Nations

Residents wave Somaliland flags as they gather to celebrate Israel's announcement recognizing Somaliland's statehood in downtown Hargeisa, on Dec. 26, 2025.

Analysis

Israel’s Somaliland gamble: Redrawing influence in the Horn of Africa

The United States was the only country Monday to defend Israel at the United Nations Security Council over its decision last Friday to recognize breakaway Somaliland.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

This aerial view shows residents waving Somaliland flags as they gather to celebrate Israel's announcement recognizing Somaliland's statehood in downtown Hargeisa, on Dec. 26, 2025.

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.

A view of a concrete wall built by Israel near the Blue Line in Maroun al-Ras, Lebanon, on Nov. 13, 2025.

Analysis

France seeks to bolster Lebanon's army through UNIFIL coordination, donor conference

France believes that the key to stabilizing the region is bolstering the Lebanese military so it can regain control over the south of the country.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

A convoy carrying a UN security council delegation, tours the border with Israel close to the southern Lebanese area of Naqura on December 6, 2025. UNIFIL peacekeepers have been tasked with acting as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon since March 1978, and with monitoring the November 2024 ceasefire that sought to halt more than a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. (Photo by Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP via Getty Images)

Exclusive

Second Lebanon-Israel meeting sidelined France, saw US pressure on Netanyahu

Differences over the so-called economic zone and the high civilian toll from Israeli strikes capped the second meeting between Lebanese and Israeli officials on Friday.

Joyce Karam

Rina Bassist

By Joyce Karam , Rina Bassist

Latest News

Italy pledges to maintain troops in southern Lebanon after UNIFIL withdrawal

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto (Middle-L) meets with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (R) in Beirut at Baabda Palace, on Dec. 22, 2025.

Qatar’s prime minister meets US officials as Gaza plan stalls

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) shakes hands with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani at the State Department in Washington, on Dec. 17, 2025.

Culture

Egypt’s koshary, Gulf’s bisht gain UNESCO recognition

A woman sells koshary after the Eid prayer in Abu Sir village on April 21, 2023, in Giza, Egypt.

Barham Salih slated to become first Kurd and Iraqi to lead UNHCR

Iraqi President Barham Salih meets with UK Prime Minister, Theresa May (unseen), on June 25, 2019, in London, England.

ICJ

Analysis

Israel unlikely to heed ICJ on Rafah halt, prepares for diplomatic fallout

Israel is unlikely to withdraw its forces from Rafah despite concerns within the political and military establishment over the country's growing international isolation.

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

People walk past trucks carrying humanitarian aid that entered Gaza by truck through the Kerem Shalom (Karm Abu Salem) border crossing.

‘Bracing for the worst’: Aid groups draw up Rafah contingency plans

The uncertainty surrounding Israel’s threatened ground offensive in Gaza's southern city of Rafah has made it difficult for aid groups to prepare for their own evacuations.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

The United Nations Security Council meets on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, at UN headquarters in New York City on April 18, 2024. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday painted a dark picture of the situation in the Middle East, warning that spiraling tensions over the war in Gaza and Iran's attack on Israel could devolve into a "full-scale regional conflict." (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

US vetoes Palestinian membership at United Nations

The resolution to grant the Palestinians full UN membership received support from a majority of the council but failed to pass after a US veto.

ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

Palestinian UN envoy: US 'holding us hostage' ahead of membership vote

The UN Security Council will vote Thursday on full Palestinian membership in the United Nations, and though it appears likely to have the votes, the United States has signaled that it could use its veto to block the measure.

Daoud Kuttab

By Daoud Kuttab

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

The UN Security Council holds an emergency meeting on the risk of famine and attacks on humanitarian workers in Gaza, UN headquarters, New York, April 5, 2024.

US readies another veto as Palestinians seek elusive UN membership

The United States is poised for another UN Security Council showdown as the Palestinians seek full UN membership for the second time.

Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations Riyad Mansour speaks.

Interview

Palestine to bid for full UN membership this month, says ambassador

Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations Riyad Mansour spoke to Al-Monitor about Arab solidarity on Gaza, Palestine’s efforts to become a full member of the UN, reconciliation with Hamas and alleged sexual crimes on both sides of the conflict.

Riyad Mansour

Riyad Mansour

Palestine Ambassador to the UN

Palestinians check the rubble of buildings that were destroyed following overnight Israeli bombardment in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on March 27, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

White House: No Rafah invasion until Israeli delegation talks alternatives

"We don’t support a major ground operation," White House NSC coordinator John Kirby emphasized on Thursday, as an Israeli delegation is expected to discuss alternatives with top officials in Washington next week.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (not pictured) speak to the media following talks at the Chancellery on March 16, 2023 in Berlin, Germany.

In latest about-face, Netanyahu agrees to resend canceled US delegation to discuss Rafah

The White House said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed for his top aides to travel to Washington to discuss the situation in Rafah after the Israeli leader canceled the delegation Monday.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

As Israel's Gallant seeks arms in Washington, Netanyahu picks fight with Biden

The Israeli premier's decision to cancel a major diplomatic visit to Washington will add to the distance between his country and the United States, but that may be precisely his plan.

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

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) talks with Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant (L) as part of their meeting in Tel Aviv on Jan. 9, 2024, during his week-long trip aimed at calming tensions across the Middle East, amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.

Israel’s Gallant kicks off US visit with weapons, Rafah on agenda

Washington still seeks to avert an Israeli operation in Rafah, even as Netanyahu cancels a delegation of top advisers over the US abstention on a UN Security Council vote.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem on Sept. 27, 2023.

Breaking | Last Updated: March 27, 2024, 1:33 pm

Netanyahu cancels Washington delegation visit after US abstains from UN cease-fire vote

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Strategic Minister Ron Dermer and national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi will not travel to Washington after the United States refrained from vetoing a UN resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.

ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

Breaking | Last Updated: March 25, 2024, 5:38 pm

UN Security Council adopts Gaza cease-fire resolution after US abstains

The vote marks the first time the UN Security Council has backed a cease-fire in Gaza and comes days after Russia and China vetoed a similar measure put forward by the United States.