The Daily Mail, Financial Times, Independent i, Daily Telegraph and Guardian all report on yesterday’s announcement that US President Obama has nominated Chuck Hagel as defence secretary and John Brennan as head of the CIA. All articles note that Hagel is perceived in some quarters as offering only lukewarm support towards Israel. The appointments must still be approved by the US Senate before being confirmed.

The Guardian this morning includes an interview with Naftali Bennett, the leader of the right-wing Jewish Home party, which polls indicate has increased its support over the last several weeks and is expected to become the third largest party in the Knesset following this month’s election. In the interview, Bennett predicts that his party will be the most influential partner in the next Israeli government, likely to be led by Prime Minister Netanyahu. Bennett says that his priority is the economy and to lower the cost of living, but also outlines his opposition to a Palestinian state and plans instead to officially annex the Israeli-controlled areas of the West Bank. The Guardian also includes a brief guide to the major political parties contesting Israel’s election on 22 January.

The Times reports that Iran’s spy chief Qassem Suleimani visited Cairo in late December in order to hold talks with senior officials close to Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi. The report claims that the Muslim Brotherhood, which dominates the Egyptian government, invited Suleimani in order help them build a security and intelligence apparatus independent of Egypt’s military which remains under the command of those affiliated with ousted leader Hosni Mubarak. A Muslim Brotherhood official is quoted saying that the visit “was intended to send a message to America” that Egypt can form alliances of its own choosing.

Meanwhile, the Financial Times online reports that the Iranian foreign minister has reiterated Tehran’s support for President Assad’s regime in Syria, describing Assad’s public speech on Sunday as “a comprehensive plan” to end the country’s violent conflict. Assad’s address, which appeared to reject any dialogue with the country’s opposition, has been roundly condemned by western leaders.  This morning’s Daily Express includes a question and answer feature on the Syrian conflict, which has raged for almost two years and killed an estimated 60,000 Syrians.

In the Israeli media, Yediot Ahronot, Israel Hayom and Makor Rishon devote significant headlines to the breakdown in talks between Shelly Yachimovich, Tzipi Livni and Yair Lapid, the leaders of the three major centrist parties, Labour, Hatnuah and Yesh Atid. The three had met on Sunday night with a view towards solidifying a united bloc ahead of the election on 22 January and in preparation for subsequent coalition negotiations. However, the chances of such cooperation appear to have collapsed after Yachimovich and Lapid accused Livni of having used them for her own political gain.

Meanwhile, Haaretz, Maariv and Yediot Ahronot give prominent coverage to President Obama’s nomination of Chuck Hagel as US Defence Secretary. The reports claim that US administration officials have sought to convey messages to Israeli counterparts in order to allay fears that Hagel holds troubling positions from an Israeli perspective on a variety of regional issues. Writing in Yediot Ahronot, Sever Plocker says that the decision to appoint Hagel was in part ‘punishment’ towards Netanyahu for perceived opposition to Obama’s re-election. However, writing in the same publication, Orly Azulai opines that Hagel’s appointment had nothing to do with Israel.

Radio and television election adverts will begin to be broadcast in Israel this evening while a Channel Ten poll released yesterday indicates that 18 per cent of voters remain undecided over who to vote for while a further 29 per cent might change their minds before election day.