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December 21, 2025

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US President Donald Trump speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem on Oct. 13, 2025.

Analysis

Trump has upper hand over Netanyahu, but is it enough for Gaza?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been stalling on the implementation of the second phase of President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, but at the end of the day, Trump has much more leverage over Netanyahu.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

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.

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

Sheikh Mohammed's visit comes as questions mount over Hamas' disarmament and the role of international troops in post-war Gaza.

Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El Khatib speaking at the Egyptian-Qatari Investment Forum in Cairo, Egypt on Dec. 14, 2025 (State Information Service)

Egypt secures Qatari investment boost, launches first SCZONE industrial deal

Bilateral trade between the two countries rose to $143 million during the first 10 months of 2025.

Latest News

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.

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

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Jennifer Gnana

Gulf Correspondent

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Vanessa Ghanem

In Dubai, reporting on business, energy and politics

Kate Dourian

In Dubai, reporting on energy

Karen Young

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy

Florida's Republican state Sen. Randy Fine speaks with the media after winning the 6th District race to replace GOP former Rep. Michael Waltz, who is now President Donald Trump’s national security adviser on April 01, 2025 in Ormond Beach, Florida.

Qatar slams US lawmaker over allegations of funding anti-Israel protests: What to know

Rep. Randy Fine criticized Qatar for allegedly backing Gaza war-related protests at American universities after the Pentagon said Qatari pilots would start training in the US, leading to a denial and rebuke from Doha.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives in Oman’s capital, Muscat, to pay an official visit at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said of Oman on Oct. 22, 2025.

Analysis

Turkey strengthens defense, energy ties following Erdogan’s Gulf tour

The Turkish president’s Gulf tour saw the signing of over a dozen agreements to strengthen military ties, diversify energy sources and expand economic partnerships amid regional instability.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani

Turkey, Qatar sign defense deal as Ankara eyes Doha’s Eurofighters

The Turkish president’s visit to Qatar during his Gulf tour largely centered on defense ties and Qatar’s little-used Eurofighters, as Ankara moves to quickly rebuild its air power.

SAFIN HAMID/AFP via Getty Images

Erdogan heads to Gulf as Turkey looks to ease energy dependence on Russia

The Turkish president will visit Kuwait, Oman and Qatar to strengthen economic ties, boost regional diplomacy and sign a series of agreements.

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, EGYPT - OCTOBER 13: World leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani pose for a family photo, at a world leaders' summit on October 13, 2025 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. President Trump is in Egypt to meet with European and Middle Eastern leaders in what’s being billed as an international peace summit, following the start of a US-brokered ceasefire deal to end the war

Analysis

Netanyahu powerless as Trump advances Gaza plan with Arab, PA forces

The second phase of the agreement with Hamas will force Israel to accept an international force composed of Arab soldiers and the involvement of the Palestinian Authority in the administration of the Gaza Strip.

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

Two F-15 Strike Eagle's take part in an air display on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow 2024, south west of London, on July 22, 2024.

Pentagon says Qatari F-15 fighter jet pilots to train at US base in Idaho

The announcement comes as the Trump administration has moved to reward Qatar for facilitating talks to end the Gaza war.

The chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces, Gen. Rodolphe Haykal, meets with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Doha, Oct. 8, 2025.

Lebanon army chief visits Qatar amid push to disarm Hezbollah

Haykal has held meetings with the Qatari army chief, the country’s prime minister and its minister of state for defense affairs.