Archives for February, 2026

A picture of Akin Gurlek.

Erdogan taps Istanbul prosecutor as justice minister in cabinet reshuffle

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday appointed Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akin Gurlek, who has been overseeing the ongoing investigation against Turkey’s main opposition party as justice minister.

SDF commander in chief, Mazlum Kobane, meets with Nechirvan Barzani, the president of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, on Feb. 5, 2026.

Exclusive

100 non-Syrian Kurds return to PKK’s Qandil stronghold under SDF-Damascus deal

The transfer of non-Syrian PKK fighters to Iraq’s Qandil Mountains follows a US-brokered SDF-Damascus deal aimed at easing tensions and preserving Kurdish forces under national army oversight.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

This handout picture released by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation shows Prince William talking to young football players during a training session

Prince William meets footballers, gamers during Saudi tour

Agence France-Presse

A combination of satellite images shows an increase in the number of aircraft at the Al-Udeid Air Base, near Doha, Qatar, comparing January 17, 2026 and February 1, 2026. 2026 PLANET LABS PBC/Handout via REUTERS

US used mobile launchers for missiles at Qatar base as Iran tensions rose, satellite pictures show

Reuters

Israeli state aircraft Wing of Zion, which flew to Greece from Ben Gurion Airport, is seen at International Airport in Athens on June 13, 2025, in Athens, Greece.

Israeli-Russian journalist removed from Netanyahu’s US flight: What to know

Israeli-Russian journalist Nick Kolyohin was removed from the official Israeli Wing of Zion plane just before its departure for Washington, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet President Donald Trump.

U.S. Senator J. D. Vance (R-OH) speaks to the media before a Turning Point USA event at the Dream City Church in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S., June 6, 2024. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

US Vice President Vance's office backtracks after statement on 'Armenian genocide'

Reuters

A screen grab of a video from Turkish Aerospace Industries shows a Gobkey helicopter in flight.

Turkey, Saudi Arabia ink deal for production of Gokbey helicopters

The deal comes amid advanced talks on Riyadh joining Ankara’s KAAN fighter jet program.

Erik Prince, founder of Blackwater, attends a police and military presentation, in Guayaquil, Ecuador April 5, 2025. REUTERS/Santiago Arcos

Exclusive-Trump ally Prince sent men, drones to help Congo's army secure strategic town

Reuters

Une jeune Palestinienne pendant un entraînement de boxe, à Khan Younès, dans le sud de la bande de Gaza, le 9 février 2026

Gaza girls take up boxing to heal war's scars

Agence France-Presse

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks during a press statement with his French counterpart in Ankara, on Jan. 27, 2026.

Fidan: Iran nuclear breakout could drag Turkey into regional arms race

The top Turkish diplomat said an Iranian nuclear breakout could push Ankara into a nuclear race but declined to say whether Turkey would pursue its own nuclear weapons.

Hezbollah marchers

US sanctions Hezbollah-linked gold exchange, Iran-tied shipping network

The move comes as the United States pursues a deal with Iran that would curb its support for Hezbollah and other regional militias.

Ed Ram/Getty Images

Kuwait blacklists eight Lebanon hospitals over alleged Hezbollah ties: What to know

The affected hospitals, located in areas where Hezbollah has a heavy presence, are believed to be run by Hezbollah-affiliated institutions.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (L) and Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht-Ravanchi on a flight to Muscat, Oman, to participate in talks with the US over Tehran's nuclear program, Feb. 5, 2026.

Analysis

Inside Iran's negotiating team: Araghchi, Takht-Ravanchi pursue tactical engagement

As cautious diplomacy between Tehran and Washington inches forward following the first round in Oman, attention is turning to the men tasked with navigating one of the Middle East's most consequential negotiations.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 29: U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff (L) shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump (R) as U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum (2L) and Kathryn Burgum (2R) look on in the Oval Office at the White House on January 29, 2026 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to coordinate a federal government response to drug addiction. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Analysis

Fearing Iran deal, Netanyahu races to US to sway Trump, sidestep Witkoff

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is flying to Washington to persuade President Donald Trump not to forget Iran's ballistic missile project and its proxies in the talks with Tehran.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Secretary of the National Security Council, Ali Larijani meets with the Minister of the Royal Office in the Sultanate of Oman, Sultan bin Mohammed al Numani, in Muscat, Oman, February 10, 2026. Iran's National Security Council/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.

Top Iranian adviser visits mediator Oman, as Iran and US prepare for talks

Reuters

FILE PHOTO: Israeli military vehicles drive past destruction in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border in southern Israel, January 21, 2026. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo

Indonesia says proposed Gaza peacekeeping force could total 20,000 troops

Reuters