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Breaking | Last Updated: February 23, 2026, 11:29 am

US pulls non-essential embassy staff from Lebanon as Iran tensions rise

The US State Department has ordered most US government personnel and their family members to leave the embassy in Lebanon.

In this handout photo provided by the US Navy, Logistics Specialist 1st Class Ousseinou Kaba (left), from Silver Spring, Md., and Logistics Specialist Seaman Abigail Marshke, from Flint, Mich., attach cargo to an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the "Nightdippers" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) May 10, 2019 in the Red Sea.

US partners shy away as Pentagon readies for potential strikes against Iran

Turkey and the United Kingdom are the latest among Washington’s military partners seeking to distance themselves from being tied to any planned strikes against Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stands amid debris outside the Soroka Hospital in the southern city of Beersheba, after it was hit by a missile fired from Iran on June 19, 2025. Israel's defence minister warned that Iran's supreme leader "can no longer be allowed to exist" after a hospital was hit in an Iranian missile strike on June 19, spiking tensions in the week-old war. (Photo by Marc Israel SELLEM / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Despite warnings from Israel's defense elite, Netanyahu pushes for Iran strike

Although Israeli advisers warn against appearing to drag the US into war, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not hidden his desire to help topple the Islamic Republic.

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

DENMARK-NORWAY-US-FRANCE-NATO-ARMY-DEFENCE-EXERCISE Picture taken on September 24, 2025 from the French Navy frigate Bretagne shows F-18 fighter jets on the deck of the the world's largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford as both ships are taking part in the NATO Neptune Strike 2025 exercise in the North Sea. According to NATO, more than 10,000 sailors, soldiers, aviators and marines from 13 allied nations took part in the large-scale multinational enhanced Vigilance Activity, running from September 22 to

US readies warships, jets, tankers for potential weekslong Iran war

Pentagon assembles its largest Middle East strike force since 2003, adding F-35s, F-22s, tankers, electronic-warfare and command planes plus a second carrier.

Latest News

Israel steps up Iran war preparations, keeps plans within small inner circle

Members of the Israeli security forces check the apparent remains of an Iranian ballistic missile lying on the ground in the Golan Heights, Northern Israel, on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (Photo by Michael Giladi / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by MICHAEL GILADI/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Feature

After SDF-Damascus truce, is Kurdish haven still safe for Syria's Alawites?

Members of People's Defense Units (YPG) stand guard as Syrian government internal security personnel enter the northeastern city of Hasakeh, a Kurdish stronghold, on Feb. 2, 2026.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Interview

Huckabee confirms US-Israel alignment on Iran, says Hamas will disarm 'sooner or later'

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, US President Donald Trump's nominee to be ambassador to Israel, testifies during his Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, March 25, 2025.

Analysis

Israel concerned Iran trying to buy time but sees US strikes as still possible

Robin MILLARD / AFP via Getty Images

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

Abdikadir Mohamed Nour (L), the minister of defense of Somalia, signs a security pact with Turkiye’s Minister of Defense Yasar Guler, on Feb. 8, 2024.

Turkey, Somalia sign defense deal in wake of Ethiopia-Somaliland agreement

The deal, which includes cooperation against terrorism, comes as tensions in the Horn of Africa over a controversial deal between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland continue to simmer.

PETRAS MALUKAS/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey's manufacturer of Bayraktar drones is building plant in Ukraine

The Baykar CEO said “nothing” could impede the construction process for the joint Turkish-Ukrainian drone factory, dismissing security risks.

Cargo is unloaded from a Russian AN-124 cargo plane transporting parts of the S-400 air defense system from Russia, after it landed at Murted Airfield on July 12, 2019 in Ankara, Turkey.

Analysis

Four factors driving Turkey's calculus to trade Russian S-400s for US F-35

As its ties improve with Washington, the United States has offered Turkey an opening to return to the F-35 consortium — but only if it gives up its Russian S-400 systems.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne chairs a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting on the Middle East, including the situation in Gaza and Israel on Jan. 23, 2024, in New York City.

France's new FM Sejourne makes first visit to Egypt, Lebanon, Israel & Jordan

French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné is set to visit the Middle East, meeting with almost all the parties involved in the Gaza war, except Qatar.

Smoke billows during Israeli shelling on the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Kila near the border with Israel on January 31, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border tensions as fighting continues between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas group in Gaza. (Photo by Rabih DAHER / AFP) (Photo by RABIH DAHER/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Hochstein back in Israel: Can he bring Lebanon cease-fire alongside Gaza's?

Israel may have to accept low-key conflict with Hezbollah as the "new-old normal" on its northern border even as a cease-fire appears close with Hamas.

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

French marines patrol the area around the French navy frigate, the FS Languedoc.

Analysis

Despite internal discord, EU to launch Red Sea naval mission within 3 weeks

Internal disagreements within the European Union are why Brussels announced only this week that it will set up a naval military mission in the Red Sea to protect the maritime route.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Israeli ambassador to Sweden, Ziv Nevo Kulman (C) meets with people as they show their solidarity and support outside the Israeli embassy in Stockholm, Sweden, on October 9, 2023, after the surprise attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas against Israel. (Photo by Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP) (Photo by JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images)

What we know about attempted attack in Sweden outside Israeli Embassy

Israeli Ambassador to Sweden Zin Nevo Kulman thanked Stockholm police for thwarting an attempted attack by neutralizing a suspected explosive device.

Nuland says Turkey can return to F-35 consortium if S-400 issue resolved

The visit to Turkey by the US State Department's No. 2 comes as another signal of the burgeoning positive momentum in Washington-Ankara ties after Turkey approved Sweden’s membership in NATO.

Israel's Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant speaks at the funeral for Col. Asaf Hamami, commander of Gaza Division's Southern Brigade, at the Kiryat Shaul cemetery, Tel Aviv, Israel, Dec. 4, 2023.

'Hamas won’t control Gaza,' Israel defense chief says, citing West Bank as model

Reacting to statements by far-right ministers on Israel ruling Gaza, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel would need freedom to operate militarily in the enclave, but will not govern it.

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - JANUARY 30: An Israeli soldier passes by a wall with photos of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip on January 30, 2024 in Tel Aviv, Israel. The Israeli prime minister's office referred to as "constructive" the recent high-level talks on a proposed pause in fighting in Gaza, as well the release of Israeli hostages held there. The potential deal, which is being brokered by Qatar and Egypt, would also entail the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel and other conditions. (Phot

Analysis

Cautious optimism around Israel-Hamas deal but Netanyahu indecisive

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu knows that his far-right allies will give him hell, should he accept a hostage release deal that would set free thousands of Palestinian prisoners.

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

Luke Dray/Getty Images

Yemen’s Houthis fire missile at US warship as Biden seeks China's aid

The Houthis targeted a US Navy destroyer with an anti-ship ballistic missile as Biden's top adviser was due to meet China's top diplomat in Thailand on Friday to discuss reining in the Yemeni faction's attacks.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey welcomes Biden’s F-16 letter to Congress, expects 'positive' conclusion

Following its ratification of Sweden’s membership in NATO, Ankara has turned to the Biden administration for progress on the F-16 sale.