Lebanon
Germany’s Merz says ‘no reason to criticize’ bombing of nuclear sites in Iran
“It is not without risk,” Merz said of the U.S. and Israeli decisions to bomb Iran. “But leaving it as it was wasn’t an option either.”
Netanyahu and Trump: Grandmaster beats dealmaker
Would a nuclear deal be enough to satisfy Bibi now?
Macron to meet al-Sharaa in Syrian leader’s first trip to Europe
US Mideast allies face ‘worst-case scenario’ with Trump aid cuts and tariff whiplash
UK spending cuts leave anti-ISIS projects in limbo
Israel-Lebanon truce in danger after fresh attacks
Nordic countries dominate world happiness rankings (again)
Fourteen of the top 20 nations are European, but Western nations are less happy now than a decade ago, according to the World Happiness Report.
‘Hope in Syria is really hanging by a thread’: EU pledges more aid despite violence
The bloc has spearheaded efforts to restore diplomatic ties with Damascus in recent months.
US and Israel have common strategy on Gaza, Netanyahu says
Israeli leader declares “full cooperation and coordination” with Washington as Marco Rubio starts Mideast tour.
Israel’s Netanyahu heads to US for Gaza talks with Trump
The meeting will be Trump’s first with a foreign leader since his return to the presidency.
EU inks €3B deal with Jordan amid deportation push
The deal is the latest in a series designed to shore up regional governments and pave the way for deportations.
Will Europe send troops to postwar Ukraine?
Everyone agrees conversations need to move forward, but no one really knows how.
The UN funding crisis: Tough choices on Ukraine and Gaza
The war in Ukraine is about to enter its fourth year. Will the incoming administration in Washington bring it to an end — and what will that …
‘It’s a mess’: Macron’s inner circle in turmoil after top adviser says he’s resigning
Emmanuel Bonne wants to leave amid a heated rivalry and significant policy disputes.
2024 by the numbers: From victims of war to a warming planet
Familiar trends characterized a year marked by elections and bloodshed.
POLITICO’s most-read stories of 2024
Elections, war and porn: The stories that captured your attention over the past 12 months.
White House optimistic about Gaza cease-fire as talks stall over holidays
Hamas is to blame for raising last-minute obstacles, per White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby.
US national security adviser: ‘America’s competitors and adversaries are weaker than they have been’
Soon-to-depart national security adviser says the global situation is notably improved.
Was Deutschland in Syrien ausrichten kann
Das jahrzehntelange Grauen liegt für Syrien jetzt hoffentlich in der Vergangenheit. Die Zukunft des Landes bleibt indes vorerst ungewiss. Wo das Land geopolitisch steht und wie Deutschland …
Israel shutting embassy in Ireland as relations plummet over Palestine
Israel’s foreign minister denounced Ireland for “extreme anti-Israel policies” in a move that follows Dublin’s recognition of Palestinian statehood and its accusations of genocide in Gaza.
Assad’s downfall — the winners and losers
Across the region and beyond, POLITICO assesses the prospects of key players after the ouster of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad.
US pounds ISIS camps in Syria after Assad flees
“There should be no doubt — we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute,” a top general said.
US pounds ISIS camps in Syria after Assad flees
US pounds ISIS camps in Syria after Assad flees
Trump is complicating Biden’s final push in the Middle East
Some regional leaders appear inclined to unveil key initiatives under the next president, giving him the glory.
Syrian rebels reportedly take control of half of Aleppo
Surprise attack injected fresh uncertainty into a region that has been convulsed by wars in Gaza and Lebanon.
10 days in Syria that shook the Middle East
Was the astonishing implosion of Bashar Assad’s regime exclusively the result of its rottenness or did elements inside his government coordinate with rebels?