Intel: Why Israel’s president chose Netanyahu to form new government A week after Israel’s legislative elections, President Reuven Rivlin has chosen Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make a first attempt at forming a government, but a path to a majority coalition remains difficult. Israel
US and world powers continue to talk past each other on Iran at UN While the remaining parties to the nuclear deal tried to restart diplomacy with Iran, the United States punished one of them for links to Tehran. U.S.
Has Netanyahu’s succession war already started? Senior Likud members are terrified of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and won’t launch a succession war, but there are incidents that indicate some of them are testing the waters. Palestine
Israel, Hamas work quietly together on development projects for Gaza Though they pretend not to be communicating, top Israeli and Hamas officials are working together via Egypt and other channels to advance development plans for the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Would Israel limit use of plastic disposable tableware? Israel's Finance Ministry is considering taxation of disposable dishes and tableware to curb the enormous use of plastic in the country. Israel
Iran's hard-liners tell Rouhani to seek solutions at home, not in New York The Iranian president has drawn the ire of his uncompromising domestic critics after sitting down with Western leaders in New York. U.S.
Erdogan pushes Syrian safe zone at UN As many as three million refugees could be settled in northeast Syria if Turkey establishes a buffer zone along its border, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told world leaders at the United Nations summit, though a meeting to persuade US President Donald Trump did not materialize. Syria
Israeli annexation plans endanger ties with Jordan, Egypt Israel’s political right should pay attention to statements made Jordan's King Abdullah, who made it clear that he objects to all annexation plans advanced by the Netanyahu government. Palestine
PMU under pressure to integrate into Iraqi state Following dramatic changes in the leadership of the Popular Mobilization Units, two rockets hit near the US Embassy in Baghdad, signaling discontent with the move. Iraq
Benny Gantz: the lesser of two evils for Palestinians The Joint List’s decision to recommend Blue and White party Leader Benny Gantz as a candidate for prime minister sparked wide controversy both across Palestinian territories and in Israel. Originals
Will Houthis follow up on their threats to hit UAE targets? The Houthis announced a halt in hostilities against Saudi Arabia but said nothing about the United Arab Emirates, raising questions about how serious the group is about carrying out threats to target the UAE. Saudi Arabia
Arab lawmaker says joining coalition would legitimize Israeli occupation The leading elected Palestinian leader in Israel tells Al-Monitor that while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vicious racism led Arab voters to the polls, the Arab coalition still cannot join a ruling coalition. Palestine
Will new initiative spark interest in ending the Hamas-Fatah schism? Eight Palestinian factions in Gaza have put forward an initiative to end the Palestinian divide ongoing since 2007. Palestine
Arab Knesset members expose Netanyahu’s double game Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outwardly incites against the Arab population while privately asking Arab Knesset members for help when he needs it. Israel
Iranian fishermen feel waves of tension from the US Friction between the West and Iran threatens to rile the waters for fishermen near the Strait of Hormuz. U.S.
Iran hawks cement ties to former US-designated terrorist group United Against Nuclear Iran's CEO embraces the MEK as his group prepared to host Pompeo. U.S.