Category Archives: Middle East

21Dec/25

Israel update: Syria, Lebanon and Gaza

Lebanon, Middle East, Syria, , ,

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to present U.S. President Donald Trump with new plans for a potential strike on Iran during an upcoming Mar-a-Lago visit, as Israel warns Tehran is rapidly rebuilding its nuclear program and accelerating ballistic missile production.

The White House reiterated that any Iranian move toward a nuclear weapon would trigger decisive U.S. action. Also: the U.S. launches a massive retaliation strike against ISIS in Syria, killing senior operatives; growing skepticism over Lebanon’s claims that Hezbollah will be disarmed south of the Litani River; continued IDF operations and ceasefire diplomacy in Gaza.

🎙 Featuring expert analysis from: Dr. Nir Boms – Syria Researcher, Tel Aviv University Avi Melamed – Middle East Expert Join our community now and receive 24/7 of new & original content from the State of Israel.

16Oct/25

Without Palestinian statehood, is Trump’s Gaza peace plan just a mirage? (Interview)

Palestinian Authority

Trump has brought together nations willing to work with Washington to stabilize the Middle East but not tackled the real cause, analysts say

Hamas fighters stand guard as Red Cross vehicles arrive to transport remains of Israeli hostages on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

Tom Hussain

Published: 11:30am, 16 Oct 2025

Far from being a historic deal to end war in the Middle East as claimed by US President Donald Trump, the Gaza peace declaration has only established a bloc of regional countries that will work with Washington for now to stabilise the region, observers say.

Composed of Egypt, Arab monarchies led by Saudi Arabia, and Nato member Turkey, this “Axis of Stabilisation” in the making will continue to diplomatically engage Iran and its “Axis of Resistance” allies, including Hamas, to reduce the risk of further conflict in the region.

Continue reading →
14Aug/25

Syria, the Druze, and the Crisis in Suwayda

Academic, Syria, , , , ,

In this latest edition of Tel Aviv Notes, Nir Boms and Karim Nassar examine the Suwayda crisis in Syria and how it has affected the delicate balance of relations between the new government in Syria and its Druze minority.

Bedouin families leaving the city of Suwayda, July 2025. Credit: Syrian Ministry of Interior, via Wikimedia commons 

In July 2025, violence erupted in Suwayda, a southern Syrian city and stronghold of the Druze minority in Syria. Disturbing images of death, mutilation, and militia clashes shocked Israel and much of the world. To grasp the crisis, one must understand the interplay of local rivalries, national politics, and the struggle for regional power shaping southern Syria today.

Continue reading →