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Politics & Security

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Breaking | Last Updated: July 7, 2026, 9:41 am

Trump says US will lift CAATSA sanctions on Turkey, consider F-35 sale

The US president has announced that sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of Russian missile batteries will be lifted.

Security personnel and first responders prepare to cordon off an area near the Four Seasons Hotel following two blasts nearby in Damascus on July 7, 2026. Syrian authorities said 18 people were wounded by two blasts in central Damascus on July 7 near the hotel where France's president spent the night, with the Elysee Palace saying his visit is ongoing. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP via Getty Images)

Breaking | Last Updated: July 7, 2026, 8:04 am

Two explosions hit Damascus as Macron visits Syria

Two explosions hit Damascus on Tuesday morning as French President Emmanuel Macron made the first visit to Syria by a Western leader.

sampt-t

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.

Latest News

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

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.

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

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

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 16: U.S. President Donald Trump (L) welcomes President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) of Turkey outside the West Wing of the White House May 16, 2017 in Washington, DC. President Trump hosted President ErdoganÊwith an Oval Office meeting and a working luncheon. Both leaders are expected to give a joint statement. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Analysis

Trump's foreign policy picks trouble Turkey, but Erdogan ties may prevail

Some experts suggest that the personal ties between President-elect Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may lead to progress on key issues like Syria and trade during Trump’s second term.

Ezgi Akin

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

Xi Jinping president of China waves during the first working session as part of the G20 summit 2024 at Museu de Arte Moderna on Nov. 18, 2024, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

China's Xi Jingping in Morocco as Beijing eyes bigger role in Africa's infrastructure boom

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Morocco on Thursday as China wades deeper into Morocco's transportation and EV industries.

A fighter loyal to Sudan's army, chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, holds up a weapon against the backdrop of a mosque, during a graduation ceremony in the southeastern Gedaref state on May 27, 2024.

Congress bill seeks to block US arms sales to UAE over Sudan war

The resolution and legislation introduced by Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Sara Jacobs comes amid international frustration with the escalating Sudanese civil war, as well as the UAE's denial of involvement in the conflict.

United Arab Emirates

JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images

Four Italian UNIFIL peacekeepers injured in Lebanon as Argentina withdraws

UNIFIL announced this morning that four peacekeepers in its Italian contingent were injured by two rockets that hit their base in southern Lebanon. The rockets were likely fired by Hezbollah or affiliated groups, UNIFIL said.

US President Donald Trump with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu(R) at the White House, Washington, DC, Sept. 15, 2020.

Analysis

Could Trump intervene against ICC arrest warrants to help Netanyahu?

Associates of the Israeli prime minister had hoped that Trump's victory would derail International Criminal Court warrants.

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

US President Joe Biden shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on July 25, 2024.

US isolation deepens with ICC’s Netanyahu arrest warrant

The White House was quick to condemn the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense minister, fueling accusations of a double standard.

A man walks past a mural depicting slain commander of the IRGC's Quds Force Qasem Soleimani in Caracas, Venezuela, on April 26, 2024.

Iran defense chief visits Venezuela, talks energy, trade: What we know

Iran and Venezuela are working to repair oil ties after the reimposition of US sanctions on the South American country and the looming return of President Donald Trump to the White House.

The International Criminal Court

Germany reluctant to arrest Netanyahu after ICC warrant as France, Canada commit to uphold

The International Criminal Court on Thursday announced arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza.

OLIVER BUNIC/AFP via Getty Images

With exception of Arab Hadash, Israeli parties slam ICC's Netanyahu warrant

Apart from the Arab Hadash party, Israeli political leaders across the spectrum have condemned the International Criminal Court for issuing arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

DEBBIE HILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

ICC issues arrest warrants for Israel’s Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas' Deif

Six months after International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan submitted his request to prosecute them, the world court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 23: U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) walks out of the Senate Chamber on Capitol Hill on April 23, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Senate takes up a $95 billion foreign aid package today for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Senate rejects bid to block key arms transfers to Israel

Lawmakers rejected three separate measures aimed at halting transfers of explosive shells and bomb guidance kits to Israel, despite a clear-cut case laid out by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and others that the Biden administration is violating US law.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (shakes hands with Saudi Arabian Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the G20 Summit on Sept. 4, 2016, in Hangzhou, China.

Saudi Arabia, Iran, China slam Israel at Riyadh meeting: What we know

The China-Saudi Arabia-Iran Trilateral Joint Committee met for the second time in the Saudi capital, more than a year after the Chinese-brokered deal that resumed relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran.