IDAN KWELLER

Idan Kweller is the diplomatic correspondent for the Hebrew news site, Walla .

US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent takes questions from reporters as he speaks during a press conference in Washington, DC on August 24, 2026. Bessent, in a column for the Financial Times, declared that an "economic D-Day" had begun against Tehran on Monday.

Iran economic sanctions leading to extremist regime elements gaining power, dissident says - report

IRGC intelligence chief Majid Khademi pictured in February 2026.

US offers $10 million reward for information on senior IRGC leaders, including one killed in April

US White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, US, April 8, 2026.

Outgoing White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt to return to Trump-aligned MAGA Inc.


Mossad chief, Syria FM hold positive de-escalation talks after Israeli airbase strike, source says

Meeting comes after Shaibani told Reuters Israel has 'historic opportunity' for diplomacy • IDF struck Syrian airbase last week intended to prevent Turkish military presence, sources told the Post

(L-R): Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani; Mossad Director Roman Gofman

Rubio holds advantage over Vance in matchups against Democratic presidential candidates - poll

According to the Emerson College poll, Rubio defeats both former vice president Kamala Harris and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in hypothetical races by the same margin, 48% to 43%.

L-R) US Vice President JD Vance and US President Donald Trump listen to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speak during a meeting with Lebanon Ambassador to the US and Israel Ambassador to the US, at the White House in Washington, DC on April 23, 2026.

Trump envoy Barrack faces criticism over Syria stance and Golan comments - analysis

Gideon Sa’ar criticized Barrack following the comments, saying they were “full of inaccuracies” and included positions that “contradict the position of Trump himself regarding the Golan Heights.”

US SPECIAL ENVOY for Syria Tom Barrack speaks at a news conference in Damascus in September 2025.

Israel targeted Syria airbase over planned Turkish troop, radar presence, source confirms to 'Post'

The IDF struck the Abu al-Duhur military airfield after troops received intelligence that Turkey sought to place a radar with Turkish troops at the Syrian base.

Abu al-Duhur base is seen following reported Israeli strikes, Syria, August 18, 2026

Israel 'baited' Turkey with Abu al-Duhur airbase 'pre-election' strike, US Envoy Tom Barrack says

According to Barrack, Ankara began considering scrambling its own fighter jets, and for several moments, two key US allies came close to a confrontation that neither side truly wants.

US Special Envoy to Syria and Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack attends a meeting with US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister of Iraq Ali al-Zaidi in the Oval Office of the White House on July 14, 2026 in Washington, DC.

US planning to block Abbas from addressing UN next month, sources tell 'Post'

One person with knowledge told the Post that Abbas reportedly asked Turkey for help to convince the US to reverse the decision. 

PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY President Mahmoud Abbas gestures during the 8th General Conference of Fatah in Ramallah in May 2026.

Trump: Getting along with Kim Jong Un is 'a good thing' because North Korea has 57 nukes

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump also claimed that the United States currently has "complete control" of the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, US, August 7, 2026

Trump declares Strait of Hormuz as 'new US territory,' day after MoU deadline expires

When asked whether he was working to extend the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Trump declined to answer and shook his head no.

US President Donald Trump's Truth Social post declaring Strait of Hormuz a new US territory, August 18, 2026.

US-Iran talks hit new impasse as MoU's 60-day deadline expires with no deal

On Monday afternoon, Saudi news channel Al Arabiya reported that the US and Iran have agreed to extend a 60-day ceasefire.

A person holds a placard representing a US flag, with an image of Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on a billboard in the background, on the day of a ceremony marking 40 days since Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed, in Tehran, Iran, April 9, 2026.

Gaza plan progress 'problematic' ahead of elections, Netanyahu tells Kushner in Jerusalem meeting

Israel, Board of Peace to establish two working groups for Gaza's disarmament, public health • US, Board of Peace officials in Jerusalem after meeting Hamas, Egyptian officials in Cairo on Sunday

(L-R) Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio watch presentations during the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, in Washington, DC, February 19, 2026