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Politics & Security

Nawaf Salam and Asaad al-Shibani shake hands in Beirut on July 2, 2026.

Syria, Lebanon stress noninterference as Damascus mulls Hezbollah talks

When asked whether Damascus would be willing to meet with Hezbollah in the future, Syria’s foreign minister indicated that it would not rule out such a meeting.

Nathan Howard / AFP via Getty Images

As Trump touts nuclear progress, US-Iran talks show little momentum

With a final nuclear agreement far from reach, the US-Iran conflict risks settling into a new status quo.

Syrian security forces and people gather at the site of an explosion at a cafe in the capital, Damascus, on July 2, 2026.

At least 6 killed, 22 wounded in Damascus cafe explosion: What to know

Syrian authorities have yet to identify a perpetrator in relation to the incident, and armed groups opposing the transitional government did not immediately take credit.

Latest News

Turkish jets strike al-Shabab targets in Somalia: What to know

Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud speaks during the launch of an offshore energy exploration at the port in Mogadishu on April 10, 2026.

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

An aerial view shows smoke billowing from a forest fire in the coastal Syrian province of Latakia on July 5, 2025. Syrian emergency workers were battling forest fires raging in the coastal province of Latakia on Saturday for a third day in tough conditions as neighbouring Turkey sent assistance. Syria's ministry for emergencies and disaster management said teams from Turkey began helping on Saturday morning "as part of regional coordination to face the fires", with the assistance including two aircrafts and

As wildfires ravage Latakia, Syria seeks EU support: What to know

Syria has been combating massive wildfires in coastal Latakia province for six days.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) holds the letter he sent to the Nobel Peace Prize committee to nominate US President Donald Trump (L) for the Nobel Peace Prize during a dinner in the Blue Room of the White House, Washington, July 7, 2025.

Analysis

With Hamas dismantled, Netanyahu seeks Trump’s green light to strike Iran again

While talks continue in Doha over a possible Gaza ceasefire deal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pressuring the US administration to allow Israel to strike Iran again if no nuclear agreement is reached.

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

A picture taken during an organized tour by Yemen's Houthi rebels on Nov. 22, 2023, shows the Galaxy Leader cargo ship, seized by Houthi fighters two days earlier, approaching the port in the Red Sea off Yemen's province of Hodeida.

In first attack after truce, Houthis claim to have sunk ship in Red Sea: What to know

A Greek-owned ship on the Red Sea was targeted by the Houthis on Sunday, just months after the Yemeni group reached a ceasefire agreement with the US.

An Iraqi Kurdish man holds a flag with the portrait of jailed Kurdish militant leader Abdullah Ocalan during a demonstration in the northern Iraqi Kurdish city of Sulaimaniyah on Oct. 10, 2019 against the Turkish offensive in northeastern Syria.

Turkey's spy chief heads for Iraq as PKK militants prepare to disarm

The planned weapons handover marks a major step in Turkey’s quiet bid to end the PKK’s decades-long insurgency and secure Kurdish political support for constitutional reform.

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Iran talks, Gaza war set to dominate Netanyahu-Trump meeting

President Donald Trump is set to host Prime minister benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, where they are expected to focus on Iran as well as Gaza ceasefire talks.

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today received His Excellency Ahmad Al-Sharaa, President of the Syrian Arab Republic, who is on a working visit to the country.

Syria’s Sharaa in UAE seeking investments amid Israel talks push

The UAE has concerns about Syria’s new Islamist government, said one expert, but is nonetheless seeking to engage with Damascus politically and economically.

United Arab Emirates

MATAN GOLAN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Iran claims missile arsenal intact, weighs return to negotiations

A top Iranian military official said that the country's missile arsenal remains secure after last month's war as the president signaled openness to renewed nuclear talks.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - MAY 15: Turkish soldiers stand guard ahead of the arrival of Ukrainian, American and Russian delegates for Ukraine-Russia peace talks on May 15, 2025 at the office of Turkish President in Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, Turkey. Under pressure from the United States to negotiate with Russia, President Zelensky had challenged Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet him in Turkey today for direct negotiations, although Putin declined the invitation. Instead, delegates from the countries, as

12 Turkish soldiers die from methane poisoning in Iraq: What to know

Turkish troops were exposed to the toxic gas while searching for the remains of a soldier.

Nabih and Barrack

US envoy warns Lebanon 'will be left behind' without action on Hezbollah

US envoy Tom Barrack’s visit to Beirut comes as Israel continues to launch near daily attacks at Lebanon despite a ceasefire that ended the 13-month conflict with Hezbollah late last year.

TOPSHOT - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a press conference in Jerusalem on May 21, 2025. Netanyahu said on May 21 that he was ready for a "temporary ceasefire" to guarantee the return of hostages held in Gaza, of whom 20 are "certainly" alive. (Photo by Ronen Zvulun / POOL / AFP) (Photo by RONEN ZVULUN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

From strikes to strategy: Netanyahu seeks cover — and credit — in Trump meeting

The Israeli prime minister arrives at the White House victorious after Trump's decision to strike Iranian nuclear sites, his trial dates postponed, and Gaza on the radar.

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Analysis

Turkey’s defense industry eyes $200B opportunity from NATO's 5% push

NATO’s recent decision to mandate its members to spend at least 5% of their GDP on defense presents Turkey with new possibilities in planning and acquisitions.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security