Middle East News
The Daily Signal provides coverage of Israel, Iran, and other regional players, with analysis on how Middle East events impact America’s security and global stability.
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- Opinion
Hostage Deal Is Latest Example of Obama’s Sell-Out to Iran
The only thing more pathetic than the Obama administration paying the Islamist Republic of Iran ransom for American hostages, and thereby ensuring more Americans will be taken hostage by thug regimes around the world, is that they expect us to believe, despite evidence to the contrary, that they didn’t. Right. First, President Barack Obama and…Genevieve Wood -
- Opinion
The Attempted Coup Reveals Turkey’s Instability. That’s Bad News for the US.
An attempted military coup in NATO member Turkey was foiled over the weekend. At the time of writing, at least 265 people have been killed and another 1,400 wounded. Thousands of judges have been dismissed or arrested. Tanks shelled the parliament in Ankara and at one point President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was forced to address…Luke Coffey -
- News
As Turkey Attack Unfolds, Cruz Faults Obama for How He Talks About Terrorism
As Sen. Ted Cruz convened a hearing intended as a platform to criticize how President Barack Obama talks about Islamist extremism, news broke of suicide bombers attacking an airport in the capital of America’s NATO ally, Turkey. While families of the 41 people murdered in Turkey mourned, and world leaders and politicians expressed condolences, there…Josh Siegel -
- News
America’s Iran ‘Tilt’ Likely Topic as Obama Visits Saudi Arabia
President Barack Obama will visit Saudi Arabia Wednesday trying to salvage what he can from a historically stable partnership that has frayed over differing priorities related to major issues like the Syrian civil war and Iranian influence. As the Obama administration has focused its policies on defeating the Islamic State in Syria over ousting its…Josh Siegel -
- News
GOP Opens Investigation Into Allegations of White House Spying on Congress, Netanyahu
Republicans in Congress vowed to investigate the Obama administration after a report revealed that U.S. intelligence collection ensnared private conversations between lawmakers and top Israeli officials during negotiations on the Iran nuclear agreement. The House Intelligence Committee opened a probe Wednesday into The Wall Street Journal report that the White House eavesdropped on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu…Natalie Johnson -
- Opinion
Leading Muslim Voice Speaks Out Against Islamic Extremism
In the aftermath of the massacre in Paris and the shooting this week in San Bernardino, Calif., the debate over the threat of Islamic terrorism is again front and center. Many political leaders, including President Barack Obama, refuse to make the connection between the terrorist acts of groups like ISIS and the religion of Islam….Genevieve Wood -
- News
Netanyahu: Iran Deal ‘A Grave Mistake’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told ABC News that the nuclear agreement with Iran endangers the safety of the entire world. “I think this puts all of us in danger. Israel, our Arab neighbors, the Middle East as a whole,” Netanyahu told ABC. Netanyahu tweeted that the United States and Israel are especially endangered by…Kate Scanlon -
- News
McCain: Obama Needs to ‘Get Over’ His ‘Temper Tantrum’ About Netanyahu’s Reelection
This morning on CNN’s State of the Union, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., blasted the president’s priorities when it comes to U.S.-Israeli relations. McCain said that Israel had a “free and fair” democratic election, is “the only nation in the region that will have such a thing,” and that if President Obama doesn’t like the results,…Kate Scanlon -
- Opinion
Angry at Netanyahu, Obama Administration May Stop Defending Israel at UN. Why They Shouldn’t.
On Thursday, Obama administration officials indicated that the president was considering a fundamental shift in U.S. policy. Instead of using its veto to block United Nations Security Council pressure on Israel in peace negotiations with the Palestinians, the administration is now reportedly considering endorsing this effort. It is hard to overstate the seriousness of such…Brett Schaefer -
- Opinion
Netanyahu Is Back in the Driver’s Seat in Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu scored a major victory and won a fourth term as Israel’s top leader in Tuesday’s elections. Although the last public opinion poll before the election indicated that Netanyahu’s Likud party was trailing the opposition Zionist Union coalition by 4 seats, Netanyahu surged at the end of an acrimonious campaign to win…James Phillips -
- Opinion
Netanyahu’s Speech Alerted Americans to Obama’s Risky Iran Deal
Putting both countries’ politics aside (talk about heavy-lifting!), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress was essential—if for no other reason than it threw a spotlight on an issue hiding in diplomatic darkness. Few probably realized, especially outside Washington, D.C., that while Netanyahu was speaking to Congress, Secretary of State John Kerry was in…Peter Brookes -
- News
What Members of Congress Tweeted About Netanyahu’s Speech
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed members of Congress today. The speech focused on the deal that President Barack Obama and his administration is trying to reach with Iran over nuclear capabilities. During and after Netanyahu’s speech, members of the House and Senate took to Twitter to react. I welcome opportunity to hear Israel PM…Ben Smith -
- Opinion
Congress Should Listen to Netanyahu’s Warnings on the Obama Iran Deal
Jimmy Carter had one of the worst foreign and defense policy records of any modern president. But, at least he cut one good deal. The speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin (Bibi) Netanyahu before a joint session of Congress makes clear President Obama can’t even match Carter’s level of competency. The high point of Carter’s…James Carafano -
- News
Lone Jewish Republican in Congress on What You Should Expect From Benjamin Netanyahu’s Speech Today
The lone Jewish Republican in Congress says American leaders should present a united front in support of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech before lawmakers this morning. In an interview with The Daily Signal, Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., called on his Jewish colleagues to uniformly embrace Netanyahu's appearance before Congress and to empathize with Israel’s concern…Josh Siegel -
- Opinion
Why Netanyahu’s Speech to Congress Is Churchillian
Tomorrow, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address a joint session of Congress, warning against the military potential of Iran’s nuclear program. The Israeli leader will do so at the invitation of House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and much to the dismay of the White House, which is close to signing an agreement with Tehran…Helle Dale -
- Opinion
What Netanyahu Should Say to Congress
What do you get when a foreign prime minister slights the president of the United States by accepting a secret invitation from the speaker of the House to address Congress in an attempt to thwart U.S. policy two weeks prior to an election? Well, you get a plot worthy of “House of Cards.” But those…Beverly Hallberg -
- News
Why Won’t Obama Use the Words ‘Islamic Extremism’? Watch What This Democrat Says
In a recent interview with Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, was asked why President Obama avoids the phrase “Islamic extremism.” Gabbard, an Iraq War veteran, said, “If you are at war, which we are, you have to know who your enemy is in order to defeat them.” She criticized Secretary of…Thaleigha Rampersad -
- Opinion
Michelle Obama Goes Scarfless in Saudi Arabia
First Lady Michelle Obama caused quite a stir when she arrived in Saudi Arabia for the funeral of King Abdullah. As she exited Air Force One, Obama wasn’t wearing the traditional head scarf worn by women in the extremely conservative country. Immediately, Twitter was abuzz. Saudi tweeters criticized her decision, using hashtags like #Michelle_Obama_NotVeiled. Many…Ericka Andersen -
- News
White House Chief of Staff on Netanyahu Visit: Our Relationship With Israel is ‘Deep and Abiding’
White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough evaded a question today on whether he agreed with an unnamed senior American official who told the Haaretz newspaper that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “spat in our face” by accepting an invitation to speak before Congress from House Speaker John Boehner. The official, quoted in the Israeli…Kate Scanlon -
- News
Q&A: What Does Death of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia Mean for the US?
When King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia died on Friday, the loss could be felt in the United States. That’s because Abdullah, 90, who assumed the throne in 2005, had led one of the West’s key strategic allies in the Muslim world. Saudi Arabia is also the world’s largest exporter of oil. The king’s death creates…James Phillips