Lapid makes smooth landing in Israeli prime minister’s office

Having long prepared for the job, Yair Lapid quickly took on the role of Israel’s prime minister.

Israel

Iran denies asking for new concessions in nuclear deal

Iran’s foreign minister says that economic guarantees from the nuclear deal are nothing new. 

Iran

Turkey’s media watchdog warns against LGBTQ song as crackdown continues

Turkish pop star Mabel Matiz's “Copshop,” a song that tells the story of a gay man tortured in a police station, dovetails with a month-long government crackdown on LGBTQ groups and activities during Pride month. 

Turkey

Israel takes down Hezbollah drones headed for Mediterranean gas rig

By intercepting Iran-made UAVs sent by Hezbollah earlier this week, Israel has made it clear that it can protect its maritime assets.

Israel

Israel's Ultra-Orthodox warn Netanyahu not to take them for granted

Israel's ultra-Orthodox parties have followed opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu through four failed election rounds, but will they continue to support him?

Israel

Iran navy expanding its presence in Red Sea, Israel says

Israel's defense chief said Iran's navy is "methodically basing itself in the Red Sea," posing risks to international shipping.

By AL-MONITOR Staff

Palestinians furious at tepid US findings on journalist's killing

Reactions from the ground are coming in following the results of the ballistic test performed by the United States on the bullet that killed Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.

Palestine

Lapid’s greatest election challenge will be skyrocketing cost of living

Prime Minister Yair Lapid has only four months to show Israelis he can do something about the continuously-increasing cost of living and high housing prices.

Israel

Israeli court rejects cap on Ukrainian refugees

This week, Israel’s Supreme Court struck down the cap imposed by the Interior Ministry on the number of Ukrainian refugees allowed into the country.

Israel

Iran's chief negotiator warns Israel against war preparations

The raging war of words coincided with protracted diplomacy over the revival of the Iran nuclear deal, which Israel has relentlessly criticized.

Iran

Turkey blocks VOA, Deutsche Welle in pre-election media clampdown

The ban came after the websites failed to apply for licenses that would allow government to oversee their content.

Turkey

Iraq’s northwest wary as IS executions, cross-border movement continue

The Islamic State continues to target local tribes and others in desert areas of Iraq and across the border in Syria, as more Iraqi nationals with alleged IS links are moved to an IDP camp in northwestern Iraq.

Iraq