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Politics & Security

Iraq's prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, at Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's office on April 28, 2026.

Trump congratulates Iraq PM-designate Zaidi in call: What to know

President Donald Trump was openly critical of previous nominee Nouri al-Maliki, who was seen as close to Iran, but is now welcoming the new candidate put forward by Iraq’s leading Shiite bloc.

This photo obtained by AFP from the Iranian news agency Tasnim shows an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) boat allegedly taking part in an operation to seize ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, on April 21, 2026.

Trump faces three paths ahead in Iran war as Hormuz standoff intensifies

As the Hormuz standoff intensifies, Trump must choose between military escalation, a limited diplomatic deal, or continuing a pressure campaign against Iran.

AFP via Getty Images

In defiant message, Iran’s Khamenei threatens US but appeals to Gulf

The address was Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s third since coming to power and included a pledge to rid the Gulf of the US.

Latest News

Turkey warns France over Cyprus troop deployment: What to know

Members of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), from the British Army's 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, No. 2 Company, patrol along the buffer zone separating the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus and the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the divided capital Nicosia on Feb. 17, 2026.

US blockade tests Iran's limits, but will global pain force Trump’s hand?

QESHM ISLAND, IRAN - APRIL 28: Boats navigate the sea on April 28, 2026 on Qeshm Island, Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's latest proposal for ending its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz calls on the United States to end its naval blockade of Iran's ports, and sets aside questions about what to do with Iran's nuclear program. The United States has not formally responded to the latest proposal, which was delivered by Iran's foreign minister to Pakistan two days ago. (Photo by Asghar Besharati/Getty Images

Iran-linked group claims stabbing in Jewish area in London: What to know

Local residents look on from outside a cordoned off area in the Golders Green neighborhood of north London on April 29, 2026, following the stabbing to two people nearby.

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Diplomatic Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Ezgi Akin

Associate Editor (Turkey)

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Ben Caspit

Israel Columnist

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

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi meet in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 17, 2025.

Egypt's Sisi in UAE to talk Gaza, regional security: What to know

Egypt and the UAE are close allies, coordinating in various regional issues while maintaining close economic relations.

US special envoy for Syria, the ambassador to Turkey Thomas Barrack attends a flag-raising ceremony at the US ambassador's residence in Damascus on May 29, 2025 for the first time since 2011. Barrack's visit to Syria marks a new step in the rapprochement between the two countries following the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad. (Photo by Rami al SAYED / AFP) (Photo by RAMI AL SAYED/AFP via Getty Images)

US envoy Barrack in Israel after cross-border shelling with Syria: What to know

US envoy for Syria Tom Barrack met Wednesday with Israeli officials in an effort to de-escalate ongoing tensions with Syria and Turkey.

Debris and military vehicles lie at the scene of an Israeli strike in Syria's southern Hama governorate on April 3, 2025.

Israel shells southern Syria, says Sharaa ‘directly responsible’ for threats

Regional players have been mediating talks between Israel and Syria in an effort to reduce tensions amid Israeli strikes on the country.

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf meets with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on June 2, 2025.

Iran eyes stronger anti-US bloc as parliament speaker visits Venezuela, Cuba, Brazil

Iran is portraying the visit as a symbol of growing partnership with like-minded governments within Washington's traditional sphere of influence despite mounting Western pressure.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Al-Shaibani met with Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in the Qatari capital, Doha, on June 3, 2025.

Syria courts Gulf investment with high-level Qatar visit amid $7B energy deal

Led by the country’s top diplomat, Syria’s ministers of energy, finance and tourism held a series of meetings in Qatar on Tuesday.

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

If Iran rejects Trump’s nuclear deal, will Israel seize moment to strike?

With the Israeli military ready to attack Iranian nuclear sites, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will face a dramatic choice if Tehran rejects the deal Washington is proposing.

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

Price tags of olives are seen at a store on March 3, 2025, in Istanbul, Turkey

As Turkey's inflation dips to 35%, will central bank pivot on interest rates?

Inflation has slowed to the lowest level since 2021, sparking speculation that the central bank could resume easing monetary policy amid mounting pressure on Turkey's finance chief — but analysts caution against a rush.

Kurdish Syrians demonstrate in the Syrian eastern city of Qamishli to demand the release of the jailed founder of the Kurdistan Workers Party, Abdullah Ocalan, in Turkey, on May 29, 2025.

Exclusive

Ankara’s direct talks with Syrian Kurds began last year in Europe, continue in Turkey

The talks are part of a sweeping effort to end Turkey’s decades-long war with the PKK and reshape Ankara’s relationship with Kurdish-led forces in Syria.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

COURTNEY BONNEAU/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Iran’s FM vows 'noninterference' in Lebanon during Beirut visit: What to know

The Iranian visit to Lebanon comes as talks of disarming the Iran-backed Hezbollah group is gaining momentum.

Armed and masked men attend the funeral of two militants from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in Ain el-Hilweh refugee camp near Sidon on Nov. 1, 2024.

PLO officials in Lebanon as push to disarm Palestinian camps gains steam

The effort to disarm Palestinian armed groups in Lebanon’s refugee camps will require outside support, according to one expert, as pressure to disarm Hezbollah grows.

Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty (C) meets with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi (L) and Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Cairo on June 2, 2025.

Iran, Egypt, IAEA hold nuclear talks as Tehran mulls US proposal: What to know

Iran is engaging on multiple diplomatic fronts as it weighs a new US proposal and braces for potential censure by the UN’s nuclear watchdog.

Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and US special envoy for Syria Ambassador to Turkey Thomas Barrack (R).

US Syria envoy Barrack says troop drawdown to continue, support for Kurds to remain

Trump’s ambassador to Ankara told a Turkish TV news outlet that American troops will eventually draw down to a single base in Syria, but that Washington is unlikely to abandon the Kurdish-led forces.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military