NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY
What Israel Sees In Somaliland
Ilan Berman
February 3, 2026

Although it has been pushed off the front pages by the Trump Administration’s dramatic early January ouster of Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro and the current unrest roiling Iran, another recent geopolitical development deserves sustained attention. In late December, Israel unexpectedly announced that it was unilaterally recognizing the sovereignty of the East African territory of Somaliland. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar made clear that the move was the culmination of months of quiet, intensive diplomacy between Jerusalem and Hargeisa, leading to “mutual recognition and full diplomatic relations…The Trump Administration defended Israel’s right to choose its diplomatic partners while simultaneously stressing that America’s own policy remains unchanged. Still, many now think that the Trump Administration should follow Israel’s diplomatic lead in recognizing Somaliland—and that it soon might (Indeed, Israel’s recognition seems to have already touched off a potential domino effect, with countries like Morocco, the UAE, Kenya, Ethiopia and India also reportedly considering doing the same.) READ MORE

JEWISH INSIDER Riyadh and Ankara jointly condemn Jerusalem’s recognition of Somaliland, call for Israeli withdrawal from Syria The two countries outlined their alignment on several regional issues, including rejecting Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and calling for an immediate Israeli withdrawal from Syria, as well as a two-state solution.