Israel intensifies Lebanon strikes, kills Hezbollah commander, hits warehouse Israel struck Hezbollah weapons in the Bekaa Valley, causing large explosions amid fears of an all-out war. Lebanon
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. Israel
Pro-Palestinian voices protest and participate in DNC in Chicago Protesters from across the country are in Chicago for the DNC, demanding an end to aid for Israel as Vice President Harris and the Democratic Party grapple with how to handle the Gaza war. Palestine
Gaza cease-fire talks to resume in Egypt with Rafah, Philadelphi corridor in focus Following two days of talks in Doha, the US, Egyptian and Qatari mediators are expected to resume negotiations on a Gaza cease-fire in Cairo this week in the presence of Israeli officials. Palestine
Analysis Global brands still can’t shake Israel boycotts hitting Starbucks, McDonald’s By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Iran’s delayed retaliation against Israel tests Pentagon’s global strategy By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis Can Turkey's Erdogan godfather Palestinian Hamas-Fatah reconciliation? Uniting the Palestinians is a complicated task that will prove a challenge to the Turkish president's influence. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
With confidence at all-time high, can China emerge as Mideast peace broker? China is riding a wave of support since its Iran-Saudi agreement, but experts say the Palestinian-Israeli brokerage is a different matter. Israel
2023 in review: Syria triumphant in Arab League as Israeli strikes, Iran ties continue Coming in from the cold, Damascus — still riddled with economic challenges and Western sanctions — restored crucial relations with Saudi Arabia and the Arab League, fortifying its regional position after being frozen out for over a decade. Syria
Analysis 2023 in review: Biden bets his Middle East strategy on Gaza war By giving Israel carte blanche support for its war in Gaza, Biden is putting his national defense strategy — and its focus on multilateralism — to the test. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Naftali Bennett: Israel attacked Iran drone base, killed IRGC commander in 2022 Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett accused the current government of ignoring the war Iran is waging against it and letting its leaders off the hook. Israel
Analysis Israel's Netanyahu bows to far right's demands on postwar Gaza as US frustration grows Minutes before the first war cabinet meeting on the plan for the aftermath of the Gaza war, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu removed the issue from the agenda. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
2023 in review: Gaza war forces Palestinian question on Biden’s agenda For most of 2023, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict remained on the Biden administration’s back burner amid a major push for normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Israel
Passing of leader of Lebanon’s tiny Jewish community comes at heavy moment The country is now home to 29 Jews, as thousands fled during the civil war in the past century amid rising anti-Jewish sentiment. Lebanon