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

White House, Washington DC, United States of America

United States

July 23, 2026

Washington D.C. 6:36 pm

27°C

US President Donald Trump (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands as they arrive to speak to journalists during a joint press conference at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on Dec. 29, 2025.

Israel fears US deal would allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium

Israel fears the US-Saudi civilian nuclear deal could pave the way for uranium enrichment not only by the Saudis but also by other countries in the region.

Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia (2nd L) is escorted by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) through Statuary Hall as they head to a meeting at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Explainer

Why US-Saudi nuclear deal could encounter hurdles in Congress

The agreement is likely to face questions in Congress over whether its nonproliferation safeguards are sufficient, as well as over Riyadh’s stated interest in acquiring nuclear weapons if Iran does, concerns over its human rights record and its ties with China.

Win McNamee/Getty Images

Explainer

How US bid prevailed over China, France, Russia in Saudi nuclear deal

The Trump administration has made American nuclear technology a major priority with an $80 billion investment in the sector, including nearly $18 billion in loans to Westinghouse Electric Company to develop its AP1000 reactor lines.

Latest News

Analysis

Why Mamdani concluded he can’t arrest Israel’s PM Netanyahu

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during a primary-night watch party for NYC Congressional candidate Claire Valdez at 99 Scott Studio on June 23, 2026 in the East Williamsburg neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough in New York City.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

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

US, Saudi Arabia set to sign nuclear agreement: What to know

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Trump threatens Iran bridges, power plants over Hormuz attacks

US President Donald Trump listens to a reporter's question as he holds a bilateral meeting with President of Lebanon Joseph Aoun in the Oval Office of the White House on July 21, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Trump authorizes direct US flights to Lebanon after 4-decade halt

Middle East Airlines aircraft sit on the tarmac at Beirut's Rafik Hariri airport on April 10, 2026. Smoke from an Israeli strike still lingered in the air as a plane from Lebanon's national carrier took off from Beirut airport, which has stayed open despite the latest war between Israel and Hezbollah. The country's only international passenger facility, whose departure boards are now largely red with cancellations, is located on the Mediterranean coast at the edge of Beirut's southern suburbs. (Photo by Anw

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

Defense and Security Correspondent

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

Joyce Karam

Editor-in-Chief

Rosaleen Carroll

News Reporter and Supporting Editor

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Paul J. Saunders

In Washington, DC, reporting on Russia in the Middle East

The amphibious assault ship USS Essex sails off the coast of Dili, East Timor, Oct. 31, 2001.

Iranian helicopter made 'dangerous' approach to US Navy ship, Pentagon says

Iran and the United States are upping the ante in the Gulf ahead of a planned return to negotiations in Vienna.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) listens during a news conference on the treatment of Haitian immigrants at the U.S. border in Texas on Sept. 22, 2021 in Washington, DC.

US Rep. Ilhan Omar moves to block $650 million Saudi arms sale

If passed by the Senate, the joint resolution would block the sale of 280 air-to-air missiles to Riyadh.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivers remarks following talks on the situation in Afghanistan.

Intel: Qatar to represent US diplomatic interests in Afghanistan

Qatar will act as the formal diplomatic messenger between Afghanistan's Taliban leaders and Washington.

Sudan protest

The Takeaway: Ethiopia's escalating crisis imperils other US objectives in region

Netanyahu’s last stand to bring down Israeli coalition?; China comes between US and Israel; Turkey readies for Syria battle; clerics question pig transplants; experts question second Sphinx; Egypt’s first female chanters … all in less than 1,400 words!

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) (C) speaks with a reporter following a vote as he departs in the subway of the US Capitol on February 23, 2021, in Washington, DC.

Senate committee advances Biden nominee for Middle East policy

Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee had a fiery debate over the confirmation process, which touched on US policy toward Egypt, Israel and Lebanon.

Protestors hold placards and photographs as they shout slogans during a rally to denounce the Sudanese military coup.

Intel: Saudi Arabia, UAE publicly reject Sudan’s coup

Washington is trying to bring its Middle Eastern allies into line with international efforts to revive the transition to democracy in Khartoum.

Sudanese youths confront security forces amidst tear gas fired by them to disperse protesters in the capital Khartoum, on Oct. 27, 2021, amid ongoing demonstrations against a military takeover that has sparked widespread international condemnation.

Intel: US sees role for Sudan’s military in government if coup reversed

The Biden administration is relying on economic pressure to push Gen. Burhan to reinstate deposed civilian leaders.

bomber

US flies B-1 bomber over Middle East amid tensions with Iran

The Pentagon is renewing show-of-strength flights over the Persian Gulf as the US waits for talks over Iran's nuclear program to resume.

A Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jet taxis on a runway during an air show at the Teknofest festival at Ataturk Airport, Istanbul, Turkey, Sept. 17, 2019.

Intel: Pentagon holds 'productive' talks with Turkey over F-35 dispute

All eyes are on next week's Glasgow summit as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seeks to talk F-35s and F-16s with US President Joe Biden.

Iran talks

US envoy: 'Other tools' available if Iran nuclear diplomacy fails

Robert Malley said the US and its allies feel a "shared impatience" with Iran's delay in returning to the bargaining table.

Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and former Secretary of State Colin Powell arrives to pay his respects at the casket of the late former President George H.W. Bush as he lies in state at the U.S. Capitol, Dec. 4, 2018 in Washington, DC.

The Takeaway: Iraq shadowed Colin Powell, but his character showed through even then

Pinkwashing in Tunisia?; Russia, Iran, Turkey, Syria and the Caucasus; Breast reconstruction surgery still taboo in Gaza; Wheelchair basketball scores — all in less than 1,500 words!

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Erdogan says US, not Turkey, proposed F-16 sale

Turkey's president said the plan to sell dozens of F-16s to Ankara was Washington’s idea.