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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- News
Is Israel Capable of Taking Out Iran’s Nuclear Sites?
If negotiations between the U.S. and Iran over Iran’s nuclear program were to break down, reports indicate Israel might strike Iran. But without the U.S., Israel doesn’t have the capability to eliminate Iran’s nuclear capabilities, according to a national security expert at The Heritage Foundation. The U.S. “alone has the capability, really, to significantly delay…Virginia Allen -
- News
LA Deputy Mayor Pleads Guilty to Calling in Anti-Israel Bomb Threat
THE CENTER SQUARE—Los Angeles’ deputy mayor for public safety has pleaded guilty to calling in a fake, anti-Israel bomb threat to himself in October. Brian Williams, who was charged by federal prosecutors Thursday, faces up to 10 years in federal prison. Mayor Karen Bass announced in December that Williams had been put on administrative leave, meaning he…Kenneth Schrupp -
- News
Israeli’s Netanyahu Seeks to Dispel Rumors of Strained Relations With US
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought at a press conference Wednesday evening to refute rumors of a fracturing relationship with the U.S. In the wake of President Donald Trump’s trip to the Middle East last week, Netanyahu insisted that warming relations between the U.S. and Arab nations won’t harm U.S.-Israel relations, The Times of…Virginia Allen -
- News
As Operation Gideon’s Chariots Begins, Netanyahu Pledges Israel Will Control Gaza
Israel has begun a new aggressive operation in Gaza aimed at controlling Gaza. “There is huge fighting going on, intense and huge, we are going to control all parts of Gaza,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video message Monday. Netanyahu’s goals remain twofold—the release of the remaining 58 hostages being held…Virginia Allen -
- Opinion
Besides Israel, There Will Not Be a Sovereign State West of Jordan River, Ambassador Says
Gaza will never become an independent nation, Israel Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter says. “There’s not going to be an independent sovereign state other than Israel west of the Jordan River,” Leiter told The Daily Signal. “There could be all sorts of autonomous arrangements,” he said, “but there’s not going to be…Virginia Allen -
- News
EXCLUSIVE: Seattle Public School Employees Accused Israel of ‘Colonialism,’ ‘Genocide’
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—In the wake of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, an employee of Seattle Public Schools accused Israel of “colonialism” and “genocide, email obtained by Defending Education and shared with The Daily Signal reveal. Defending Education submitted a public records request to Seattle Public Schools in October 2023 asking for…Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell -
- Opinion
Trump’s Middle East Strategy Is Ambitious but Also Dangerous
Editor’s note: This is a lightly edited transcript of today’s video from Daily Signal Senior Contributor Victor Davis Hanson. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see more of his videos. Hello, this is Victor Davis Hanson for The Daily Signal. President Donald Trump this week had a historic tour of the Gulf monarchies in the Middle…Victor Davis Hanson -
- News
Trump Speaks to US Troops in Middle East: ‘We Don’t Care If You’re Politically Correct’
Troops chanted “U.S.A.” at the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East as President Donald Trump took the podium before them on Thursday. The president touted the changes his administration has already made to the U.S. military, such as reinstating service members expelled under the Biden administration for not taking the COVID-19 vaccine…Virginia Allen -
- Opinion
What Makes US-Israel Relations Special?
The relationship between the United States and Israel is usually seen as “special” because of technical matters. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. Israel and the U.S. share vitally important intelligence and technology. But what about shared values? Shortly after America’s new ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, arrived at his post, he…Star Parker -
- Opinion
Trump’s Core Strategy in the Middle East
There is an opportunity for the Middle East to be defined “by commerce, not chaos,” President Donald Trump said, speaking at the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday. The president is using the universal language of economic prosperity as he visits Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates this week, reminding…Virginia Allen -
- Opinion
2 Very Different Hostage Homecomings Show Israel’s Dedication to Its People
It’s been quite a week for Israeli homecomings. On Monday, American-Israeli Edan Alexander was returned to Israel after 584 harrowing days of captivity in Hamas’ dungeons under Gaza. Alexander, now 21, was just 19 years old on Oct. 7, 2023, when the Hamas terror army invaded Israel and took him hostage alongside about 250 other…Naftali Shavelson -
- News
Trump Gives Iran Deadline to Accept Terms for a Better Future
President Donald Trump wants to make a deal with Iran to give that country a brighter future without terrorism and extremism, he said Tuesday at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “If I can make a deal with Iran, I’ll be very happy if we’re going to make your region and the world…Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell -
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Last Living American Israeli Hostage Released Ahead of Trump’s Middle East Trip
Hamas has released Edan Alexander, the last living American Israeli hostage in Gaza, just as President Donald Trump departed the United States for a four-day trip to the Middle East. Trump called Alexander’s release “a step taken in good faith towards the United States and the efforts of the mediators—Qatar and Egypt—to put an…Virginia Allen -
- News
Trump in ‘Constant Communication’ With Israel About Freeing Gaza Hostages, Leavitt Says
The Trump administration is in “constant communication and dialogue” with friends in Israel about getting remaining hostages out of Gaza, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Friday. Ron Dermer, Israel’s minister of strategic affairs, visited the White House Thursday to meet with the Trump administration about the situation in Gaza. “The president and his entire national…Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell -
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Former Hamas Hostage Bashes Pulitzer Board for Awarding ‘Modern-Day Equivalent of a Holocaust Denier’
Emily Damari spent nearly 500 days in Hamas captivity after terrorists shot her in the hand and forcibly took her from her home on Oct. 7, 2023. Now, the Pulitzer Prize board has awarded a man who Damari calls the “modern-day equivalent of a Holocaust denier.” The Pulitzer board has awarded Mosab Abu Toha…Virginia Allen -
- News
Iran Hawks Graham, Cotton Draw Red Line for Deal: No Nuke Program for Tehran
Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tom Cotton—among Congress’ most adamant defense hawks—made clear Thursday that they will only support a deal with Iran that completely eliminates Tehran's ability to make nuclear weapons. The lawmakers joined forces to promote their Senate resolution on preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, a resolution they say is modeled…George Caldwell -
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‘Every Cop Death Is a Victory’: Antifa Rioters Torch University Building, Attack Police Over Gaza
DAILY CALLER NEWS FOUNDATION—Police arrested dozens of protesters at the University of Washington on Monday night after an Antifa-style mob lit fires and took over a building to protest Israel. “About 30 individuals who occupied” an engineering studies building were arrested and will be referred for prosecution, a university spokesperson said in a Tuesday statement. Videos posted on…Hudson Crozier -
- Opinion
The Trump-Iran Deal, Explained
Editor’s note: This is a lightly edited transcript of today’s video from Daily Signal Senior Contributor Victor Davis Hanson. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see more of his videos. Hello, this is Victor Davis Hanson for The Daily Signal. Just recently, the Houthis, that is the terrorist organization that controls half of Yemen and has…Victor Davis Hanson -
- News
Israel Approves Plan to Assume Control of Gaza After Trump’s Middle East Trip
Hamas has “a window of opportunity” to agree to a hostage deal with Israel before the end of President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East next week, according to a top Israeli defense official. If no deal is reached, Israel will launch an aggressive campaign inside Gaza aimed at the elimination of Hamas, according…Virginia Allen -
- News
Analyst Explains Why a Two-State Solution Between Israel and Palestine Won’t Work
JERUSALEM—For decades, many political leaders on the Left and Right alike have advocated for a two-state solution to solve the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians, but such a plan is not a viable solution, says Heritage Foundation senior research fellow Eugene Kontorovich. “The best thing about the two-state solution is its name because it…Virginia Allen