United States - AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

White House, Washington DC, United States of America

United States

December 8, 2025

Washington D.C. 1:31 pm

1°C

Basem Naim, member of Hamaspolitical bureau speaks during an interview with AFP in Istanbul on February 8, 2025. Hamas has no desire to return to war with Israel, a senior official with the Palestinian group told AFP on February 8, 2025, nearly three weeks into a fragile ceasefire that halted fighting in Gaza. "Returning to war is certainly not our wish nor our decision," Basem Naim said in an interview. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP) (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

Exclusive

Hamas official says group needs guarantees on war's end and statehood to disarm

Senior Hamas official Basem Naim stopped short of pledging that Hamas would not fire on international troops, but said the militant group has "no problem” with the stabilization force.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

People shop in a market on June 17, 2025 in Damascus, Syria.

US set to scrap Syria sanctions as Caesar Act repeal heads to vote

The annual defense bill calls for the full repeal of the Caesar Act without conditions.

Israeli Druze from Majdal Shams crossed into Syria on July 16, 2025, to assist relatives in nearby villages following a reported massacre of Druze civilians by Syrian army forces and allied militias.

Analysis

Under US pressure, Israel softens Syria tone but is wary of Sharaa

The Trump administration has been pressuring Israel to reach a security deal with Syria, but talks are at a stalemate for the time being, as both sides entrench in their positions.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Smoke rises as fire burns, in an alleged site of IRGC's missile launch targeted by Israel on the mountains of Shiraz, Iran on June 21, 2025. Israel attacked Iran in early hours of June 13, and the exchange of fire between the two countries continues ever since. (Photo by Hiroon / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by HIROON/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel likely to strike Iran in 2026, European diplomats say

Israel might opt to strike Iran again next year if it assesses that the Tehran-based government is resuming high-level uranium enrichment.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Latest News

US strategy document names Iran 'chief' destabilizer, calls Syria 'potential problem'

The US National flag flies at half staff on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC on December 4, 2025, in honor of Sarah Beckstrom, the National Guard member who was fatally shot the week before. An Afghan man accused of shooting two members of the National Guard near the White House, killing one, pleaded not guilty on December 2, 2025 to murder charges. Lakanwal is charged with first-degree murder for the death of Sarah Beckstrom, 20, a National Guard member from West Virginia, as well as ass

Analysis

Lebanon-Israel direct talks pause operation against Hezbollah — but for how long?

An Israeli military tank patrols along the border fence separating northern Israel from southern Lebanon on November 24, 2025. Hezbollah held the funeral on November 24 for its top military chief and other members of the militant group a day after Israel killed them in a strike on Beirut's southern suburbs. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP via Getty Images)

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

US pressure prompted Israel-Lebanon talks to avert war with Hezbollah

US deputy Middle East envoy Morgan Ortagus speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in Gaza, at UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 18, 2025.

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

Jared Szuba

Pentagon Correspondent

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

Joyce Karam

Senior News Editor

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional geopolitics, China in the Middle East

Andrew Parasiliti

President and Chief Content Officer

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security

Megan Mineiro

In Washington, DC, reporting on US Congress

An Israeli soldier fires teargas at Palestinians during a protest in the village of Beita against a march by settlers to the nearby Israeli outpost of Eviatar, the occupied West Bank, April 10, 2023.

US-Turkish dual citizen shot dead in Israeli-occupied West Bank

Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, 26, was killed while taking part in a march against the expansion of settlements in the West Bank.

A destroyed car and apartment building are seen after an Israeli airstrike on Aug. 20 that killed one and injured fifteen others, Nabi Chit, Lebanon, Aug. 21, 2024.

Analysis

Can US broker Israel-Hezbollah deal in Lebanon absent Gaza cease-fire?

With talks between Israel and Hamas stalled, the Biden administration hopes to delink the Gaza war from the Lebanese border escalation, but the Israeli prime minister may be more focused on the US presidential election.

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

HADI MIZBAN/AFP via Getty Images

US-Iraq raids puts scrutiny on Baghdad’s ability to contain ISIS

Seven US troops were injured during raids to take down senior Islamic State operatives in Iraq’s western Anbar province last week amid a spike in ISIS attacks.

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Philadelphi Corridor: Hamas lifeline or Netanyahu’s cease-fire poison pill?

Control of a nearly nine-mile border route in the southern Gaza Strip has emerged as a stumbling block in the talks over a potential cease-fire and hostage agreement.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

Republican presidential nominee, former US President Donald Trump, takes the stage during a campaign rally in the 1st Summit Arena at the Cambria County War Memorial on August 30, 2024, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

Iran linked to US election disinformation campaign: What we know

The Iranian government has been tied to an assassination plot on US soil and a hack of the Trump campaign, both of which Tehran has denied.

Protesters gather to demand a Gaza hostages deal on Sept. 1, 2024, in Tel Aviv, Israel.

With Netanyahu standing firm, US to present new Gaza cease-fire proposal

The cease-fire negotiations gained renewed urgency following Hamas’ killing of six hostages, including an American citizen who was expected to be released in the cease-fire deal’s first stage.

A group of protesters hold placards reading "Yankee go Home - No way to USA," in Istanbul, on April 14, 2021.

Turkish ultranationalists arrested after accosting US Marines in Izmir

A mob of provocateurs of the Turkish Youth Union assaulted two US Marines while they visited the port city, shouting "Yankee go home" and thrusting a bag over the head of one of the Marines.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, seen as he casts his vote for the snap presidential election at the Imam Khomeini Husseiniya on June 28, 2024, in Tehran, Iran.

Analysis

As Khamenei signals openness to negotiations, is another nuclear deal possible?

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is signaling openness to resuming talks with the United States about Tehran’s nuclear enrichment but has also sought to emphasize that its rival cannot be trusted.

Jared Szuba

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

A missile monument erected after the 2006 war, is seen on the roadside on August 26, 2024 Borj Kalawai, Lebanon. The recent assassination of a Hezbollah military commander in Lebanon, as well as the killing of the political leader of Hamas in Iran, has heightened concerns of a wider regional war between Israel and Iran-backed enemies like Hezbollah. Israel and Hezbollah have traded regular cross-border fire since Oct. 7, although both sides have seemed to calculate their attacks to avoid all-out war. (Photo

Pentagon shared intel with Israel to thwart Hezbollah attack

Israel's air force and navy overwhelmingly thwarted the attack without need for the US military to shoot down any of Hezbollah's projectiles, Pentagon officials said.

Attendees hold up signs with the names of people who died in the Gaza war on the second day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 20, 2024.

At DNC, Harris contends with Democratic divide on Gaza

DNC delegates from the Uncommitted National Movement warn that if Harris doesn’t get tough on Israel, she risks alienating voters in battleground states like Michigan come November.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to members of the press at David Kempinski Hotel in Tel Aviv on Aug. 19, 2024.

US calls for Hamas to accept cease-fire proposal now backed by Israel

The top US diplomat visited Israel days after the United States put forward a so-called bridging proposal in the cease-fire negotiations.

Elizabeth Whelan, sister of Paul Whelan, speaks during a press conference to launch the “Bring Our Families Home" campaign held by family members of hostages being held around the world, Washington, May 4, 2022.

Breaking | Last Updated: July 20, 2022, 7:18 am

Biden issues executive order on hostages amid pressure from families

The executive order will authorize government agencies to impose financial and travel sanctions on those involved in the wrongful detention of Americans.