Donald Trump

Lebanon on Edge as Israel Raises the Stakes

The run-up to the mechanism meeting scheduled for December 19 is shaping up to be particularly tense—and for good reason. Israel has been gathering extensive data on Hezbollah’s efforts to rebuild its military capabilities. Israeli representative Yury Reisnick is expected to present these findings to the head of the Lebanese delegation, former ...

Gaza: International Force Could Deploy Next Month

International troops could be deployed in the Gaza Strip as early as next month to form a U.N.-authorized stabilization force, part of the second phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan, two U.S. officials told Reuters. According to the sources, the International Stabilization Force (ISF) will not be tasked with fighting Hamas. A U.S. ...

Trump: Nations Ready to Act on Hezbollah

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that “some countries want to intervene and deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon” during informal remarks at the White House. “You are not obliged to do it. You might have to do it later, but we have countries ready to step in and fully manage this issue,” he added.  According to U.S. sources cited by ...

Netanyahu: Trump Meeting to Focus on Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to arrive in Washington on Monday, December 29, for talks with President Donald Trump, focusing on regional developments, including the Trump administration’s plan for Gaza and rising tensions with Lebanon. On Sunday, Netanyahu said he expects the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan to be ...

Israel, Qatar and US Hold Trilateral Meeting in New York

The United States, Israel, and Qatar held a trilateral meeting in New York Sunday, a senior White House official told AFP, months after Israeli jets conducted an airstrike in Doha, targeting Hamas leadership. The White House official confirmed that the meeting had taken place but did not provide any further details. Two sources told US news ...

Mediators Egypt, Qatar, Others 'Concerned' About Israel Opening One-Way Gaza Exit

Gaza mediators Egypt and Qatar and six other Muslim-majority countries said on Friday they were concerned about Israel stating it would open a one-way crossing for Palestinians to exit the Strip. The foreign ministers of Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates "expressed their deep concern ...

Trump Warns Israel Not to ‘Interfere’ in Syria

US President Donald Trump told Israel on Monday to avoid destabilizing Syria and its new leadership, days after a deadly operation by Israeli forces killed 13 people. Trump spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and invited him for another White House visit, Netanyahu's office said shortly after Trump issued the warning. "It ...

Netanyahu Invited to White House in 'Near Future'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was invited by U.S. President Donald Trump to visit the White House "in the near future" during a phone call on Monday, his office said. "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening, spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump," the premier's office said in a statement. "Trump has invited Prime Minister ...

Barrack Warns Iraq of Imminent Escalation in Lebanon

US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack delivered a stark warning to the Iraqi government about a looming escalation in Lebanon, Saudi Television Al Hadath reported Monday, citing informed sources. Barrack reportedly told Iraqi officials that an Israeli operation targeting Hezbollah is imminent, cautioning that any ...

Iran Condemns US 'Bullying Approach' Towards Venezuela

Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, slammed what he called the United States' "bullying approach" towards Venezuela, a statement said Wednesday, as President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on Venezuela. The United States has deployed the world's largest aircraft carrier to the Caribbean, accompanied by a flotilla of warships, officially for ...

Pressures and Calculations on Lebanon's Southern Border

Israeli defense officials increasingly fear that the relative quiet along the northern border may mask conditions for a rapid escalation. According to Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth, on Monday, senior Israeli army officers say Hezbollah has continued to reinforce its military infrastructure in Lebanese villages deeper inside the country, despite almost ...

US–Russia 28-Point Plan for Ukraine

A draft 28-point plan backed by US President Donald Trump would require Ukraine to offer territorial and security concessions to Moscow, while Russia would be readmitted to the G8 group and receive sanctions relief. Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been "quietly" working on the plan for around a month, ...