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Politics & Security

Syrian security forces patrol near France's President's hotel during his visit in Damascus on July 7, 2026. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

Breaking | Last Updated: July 7, 2026, 5:23 am

Two explosions rock Damascus, while Macron in town

Two explosions were heard in Damascus on Tuesday morning, while French President Emmanuel Macron is in the city for a meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

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Analysis

As it hosts NATO, Turkey eyes France's SAMP/T system, F-35 progress with Trump

Turkey is set to host NATO leaders as doubts over US commitment linger prompting Ankara to seeks its own defense deals with Paris and Washington.

Ezgi Akin

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

Government Media Office Director Ismail Thawabteh (R) and Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem (L) speak at a press conference.

Explainer

What does Hamas' move to dissolve its Gaza government mean?

Hamas has agreed to hand civilian administration over to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, but the committee is not yet in Gaza and may not deploy until Hamas’ disarmament is resolved.

A picture taken on Nov. 10, 2019, shows workers on the construction site of a second reactor in Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, during an official ceremony to kick-start the works at the facility.

Russia’s Rosatom says staff to return to Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant: What to know

Russia evacuated hundreds of personnel from Bushehr after the start of the US-Israel-Iran war, but it has pledged to continue helping Iran develop its nuclear capabilities.

Latest News

Israel, Greece conduct military drills ahead of NATO summit in Turkey

ABIR SULTAN / AFP via Getty Images

Iran’s hard-line judicial chief Mohseni Ejei gets second term: What to know

Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei

Analysis

Why Kuwait is turning to Ukraine for its next air-defense lessons

An employee of the Ukrainian SkyFall company checks a P1-Sun interceptor drone before a test flight at an undisclosed location in Ukraine on March 19, 2026,

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

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

NOEMIE DE BELLAIGUE/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Germany arrests suspected Hezbollah member: What we know

Germany has arrested a man suspected of membership in Hezbollah accused of running two affiliated associations in Germany.

An anti-government fighter tears down a portrait of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Aleppo, after jihadis and their allies entered the northern Syrian city, on Nov. 30, 2024.

Analysis

With eye on Iran, Israel wary of Syria rebels offensive, prefers Assad

Israel is now debating whether the recent upsurge of rebels in Syria could increase regional threats and its strategic interests.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

An Israeli tank is transported to a position in the Upper Galilee region of northern Israel near the border with Lebanon, Sept. 29, 2024.

Analysis

Could Israel preserve Lebanon ceasefire while retaliating against Hezbollah?

While retaliating against what it considers violations by Hezbollah, Israel insists the ceasefire accord with Lebanon is still on.

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

TOPSHOT - A elderly woman sits in front of a destroyed building to take a rest as she collects tree branches to light a fire in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip after Israeli shelling of the camp stopped on November 29, 2024, amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP) (Photo by EYAD BABA/AFP via Getty Images)

Palestinian rivals Hamas, Fatah agree on committee to run post-war Gaza

The agreement came during talks between the two rival Palestinian groups in Cairo.

Anti-government fighters pose for a picture in front of a Syrian regime military aircraft at the Kuweires military airfield in the eastern part of Aleppo province, on Dec. 1, 2024.

Shock Syria offensive complicates Biden's Middle East push

The State Department called for “de-escalation” as the Syrian rebels continued their rapid assault across the northern part of the country.

Fighters set alight a picture of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in front of a building that was seized by jihadists in the area of Zarbah on Nov. 29, 2024.

US military in Syria stands down as HTS drives back Assad regime, Kurdish forces

The Biden administration has denied any involvement in a stunning offensive by Turkey-linked Islamist rebels who seized Aleppo, Syria's second city, from Damascus’ control over the weekend.

Smoke billows after an Israeli strike on the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Shouba, on April 25, 2024.

Israel pounds Lebanon after Hezbollah attack, straining fragile ceasefire

Israel responds with wide-ranging airstrikes after Hezbollah claimed its first attack on Israel on Monday following the implementation of a ceasefire between the two.

Jihadists drive on the international M5 highway in the area Zarbah which was taken over by anti-government fighters on November 29, 2024, as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadists and allied factions continue their offensive in Syria's northern Aleppo province against government forces.

Analysis

What's ahead for HTS as Syria, Russia strike back and Turkey plots next move?

The Syrian government claims to have repelled the HTS advance on Hama, but pro-rebel sources claim the opposite.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images

After Aleppo, Syria's rebels approach Hama as pro-Iran militias rally to help Assad

The Syrian government is denying reports that rebel fighters are advancing in Hama after taking over most of Aleppo province.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Iran’s FM meets Fidan in Turkey as rift over Syria persists: What we know

While the top Iranian and Turkish diplomats agree on the need for de-escalation in Syria, the two countries' positions remain divergent.

Fighters enter the Rashidin district on the outskirts of Aleppo on their motorbikes with smoke billowing in the background during fighting on Nov. 29, 2024, as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadists and allied factions continue their offensive in the Aleppo province against government forces.

Analysis

Will HTS offensive be opening for Erdogan to offer US-Turkey reset on Syria, Russia?

The Russia-Iran alliance has been strengthened by the Ukraine war.

Andrew Parasiliti

By Andrew Parasiliti

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security

Anti-government fighters ride military vehicles as they drive along a road in the eastern part of Aleppo province on Dec. 1, 2024.

After capturing Aleppo, Turkey-backed militants attack Syria's Kurds

While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has yet to comment on the events, HTS could not have made its move without Ankara’s tacit blessing.