Politics & Security - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

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Politics & Security

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a cornerstone laying ceremony for the Atarot Heritage Center at an abandon airport in East Jerusalem near the separation wall with the Israeli occupied West Bank city of Ramallah on July 5, 2026.

Israeli PM Netanyahu 'will not travel' to US next week, his office says

On Wednesday, an Israeli official had told Al-Monitor that Netanyahu was planning to travel on Saturday and meet with President Donald Trump next week and attend the memorial service for Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

Zaid AL-OBEIDI / AFP via Getty Images

Syria seizes arms shipment on Iraq border destined for Hezbollah

The operation comes as part of the Syrian authorities' efforts to curb illicit arms smuggling through its territory, namely intended for Hezbollah.

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Turkish opposition leader Ozgur Ozel could launch new party by August

Ozgu Ozel

Russian couple faces deportation from Turkey after Bible reading at Hagia Sophia

Visitors stand inside Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul on April 14, 2025.

Ahmadinejad denies alleged Mossad plot to install him as Iran leader: What to know

BEIRUT, LEBANON - OCTOBER 13: Lebanese people wave flags and hold portraits of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (not pictured) as he arrives in southern suberb of Beirut on October 13, 2010 in Lebanon. The controversial visit is seen as a boost for key ally Hezbollah. According to reports Mr Ahmadinejad may visit the border with Israel - the site of recent deadly clashes between Israeli and Lebanese forces. (Photo by Salah Malkawi/Getty Images)

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Diplomatic Correspondent

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

Ezgi Akin

Associate Editor (Turkey)

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

Ben Caspit

Israel Columnist

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

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

MICHAEL KAPPELER/AFP via Getty Images

Europe’s leaders express solidarity in Israel as EU searches for consensus

On a solidarity visit, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said it is his country's duty to protect the state and the people of Israel.

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Turkey extends mandate for military operations in Syria, Iraq

The Turkish parliament’s extension of the mandate for another two years comes amid rising tensions between Turkey and the United States.

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during the official dinner at the Palace of Brigades, as part of the Western Balkans summit on European Union integration, Tirana, Albania, Oct. 16, 2023.

France’s Macron denounces first Hamas video of French-Israeli Gaza hostage

Hamas published a first video showing one of the hostages currently held in Gaza — French-Israeli Mia Shem.

Two MV-22B Ospreys of the USMC take part in training during the joint Israeli-US military "Juniper Cobra" exercise at the Tze'elim urban warfare training centre (UWTC) base in southern Israel on March 12, 2018.

Iran’s Khamenei threatens US as Pentagon readies 2,000 troops for region

The Pentagon has ordered some 2,000 US military personnel readied to respond to the fallout of Israel’s war in Gaza and extended the deployment of the USS Ford carrier strike group.

Israeli soldiers deploy near the border with Gaza on October 17, 2023. US President Joe Biden will visit Israel on October 18 in a show of "ironclad" support as Washington tries to prevent the escalating war against Hamas in Gaza from spilling into a wider Middle East conflict. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Distrusting Netanyahu, US takes oversight role in Israel's Hamas war

The two visits to Israel by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, another by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and the expected arrival on Wednesday of President Joe Biden reflect American concerns over the outbreak of a regional war.

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

children in hospital

Day 11 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Tuesday, Oct. 17

Eleven days into the fighting between Israel and Hamas, nearly 1 million are now displaced in Gaza as rocket barrages continue in the direction of Israel and the Israeli bombardment intensifies on the enclave.

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at Tioga Marine Terminal on October 13, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Biden discussed how his Bidenomics agenda is creating good-paying union jobs, investing in infrastructure, accelerating the transition to a clean energy future, and combatting the climate crisis.(Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)

Biden to visit Israel as US pushes humanitarian corridor for Gaza

Washington appears to have bought more time for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, but US officials say they are not placing conditions on weapons delivered to Israel nor dictating to the IDF on its operational plans.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken walks into a building with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu speaks with UAE president in first call with Arab leader since Hamas attack

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the first Arab leader with whom Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.

A Palestinian van carrying a family and their belongings arrives at the Rafah refugee camp, in the southern Gaza Strip on Oct. 15, 2023.

European Union launches humanitarian air bridge for Gazans via Egypt

The European Union will start sending humanitarian aid for displaced Gaza residents, including shelters, medicines and hygiene kits.

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (R) and Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan shake hands after a joint press conference in Cairo on October 14, 2023. (Photo by Ahmed HASAN / AFP) (Photo by AHMED HASAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey’s Fidan calls Hamas leader, Israeli hostages in Gaza discussed

The phone call comes after the Turkish president said last week that his government was working intensively with all parties for the release of the hostages.

DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images

Funeral held for Palestinian-American boy killed in Illinois hate crime

Hatred and violence toward Muslims and Jews is rising in the West as the Israel-Hamas war reverberates around the world.

Mahmoud Khaled/Getty Images

UN says over 43% of Gaza residents now displaced as Rafah talks stall

Convoys of humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip are stuck on the Egyptian border.