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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

A man pays tribute during the commemoration of the 26th anniversary of a bomb attack

Why US is offering $10M reward for info on Hezbollah in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay

Hezbollah maintains a presence in South America’s tri-border area as well as in friendly Venezuela.

A man watches as smoke billows after a drone strike on the port of Port Sudan on May 6, 2025. Drones struck the airport and targeted an army base in Port Sudan on May 6, officials said, the third straight day the Sudanese army-aligned government's seat of power has come under attack. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Kamil Idris named new Sudan’s PM as conflict escalates: What to know

Idris’ appointment marks the country’s first official prime minister since 2022, as Sudan remains mired in a devastating war between the army and the RSF.

AFP via Getty Images

Iran, Azerbaijan hold military drill in disputed Nagorno-Karabakh: What to know

Military cooperation between Iran and Azerbaijan is increasing as overall relations improve after years of tensions over Armenia and Israel.

Aoun Sisi

After Kuwait, Lebanon’s Aoun visits Egypt seeking reconstruction support

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is in Egypt on a tour seeking support for Lebanon’s reconstruction.

Fidan, Rubio, Al Shibani

Turkey delegation heads to US to discuss Syria sanctions relief: What to know

The talks will follow a landmark meeting between the United States, Syria and Turkish and Saudi leaders.

This picture taken on Jan. 25, 2000, shows a close-up of a postage stamp commemorating Israeli spy Eli Cohen, who was executed by Syria in Damascus in 1965.

Israeli Mossad retrieves entire archive of Eli Cohen from Syria: What we know

The announcement of the secret operation that recovered 2,500 documents from Syria coincided with the 60th anniversary of Cohen’s execution.

People drive on a street past portraits of slain Lebanese Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and buildings damaged in Israeli strikes in the recent war in the Ghobeiry neighborhood of Beirut's southern suburb on May 4, 2025.

Analysis

Lebanon’s municipal elections: Hezbollah holds, Sunnis splinter, Christians rebalance

Two rounds of municipal elections reveal a clear win for the Lebanese Forces at the expense the rival Free Patriotic Movement and Hezbollah maintaining support in its strongholds.

Beatrice Farhat

By Beatrice Farhat

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

A couple walk through the remains of the Yarmouk refugee camp, Syria’s largest Palestinian refugee camp, Damascus, Jan. 27, 2025.

Analysis

With Trump’s Syria sanctions relief, Turkey eyes refugee returns, regional gains

Sanctions relief opens the door to Syria's postwar reconstruction and other investment, with Turkish firms and Gulf money poised to lead the charge.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Analysis

Netanyahu ghosted: Trump’s Gulf pivot sends shockwaves through Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to have misplaced his hopes on President Donald Trump protecting his interests.

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

TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP via Getty Images

India wages economic war on Turkey for supporting Pakistan in Kashmir

Turkish business interests are taking a hit as India retaliates against Ankara’s backing of Pakistan on Kashmir.

LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images

Syria-Israel talks reportedly intensify as Trump asks Sharaa to normalize: What to know

Following President Donald Trump’s call for Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to join the Abraham Accords, multiple contacts have reportedly taken place between Israeli and Syrian officials.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Levant Affairs and Special Envoy for Syria Joel Rayburn delivers a statment ahead of a meeting of the Syria constitution-writing committee on October 29, 2019 at the United Nations Offices in Geneva. (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

Joel Rayburn commits to helping lift Syria sanctions, boxing in Iranian influence

In a hearing with Senate lawmakers, the White House’s pick to become the State Department’s top diplomat on the Middle East argued for capitalizing on Iran’s losses in Syria and Lebanon while stressing that the Islamic Republic should not have the ability to enrich uranium domestically.