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Politics & Security

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US sets expectations for Iraq’s next PM to confront Iranian militias

The Trump administration is cautiously sizing up Iraq’s new prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, as a potential partner in pushing back on Iranian influence.

An Iranian woman holds up an image of Iran's new supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

Iran president says he held official meeting with Mojtaba Khamenei: What to know

The president’s announcement marks the first public confirmation of a meeting between a senior official and Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen publicly since the start of the war.

People look at a drone on display at the Baykar exhibit at the SAHA International Defence and Aerospace Expo on May 06, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Turkey, Japan launch defense industry partnership with eye on drones

The initiative could eventually lead to joint UAV development and production as Japan looks to expand drone capabilities amid regional tensions.

Latest News

Israel strikes Beirut in breach of Lebanon ceasefire

People gather at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted Beirut's southern suburbs neighborhood of Haret Hreik on May 6, 2026.

Saudi FM in Turkey as Ankara, Riyadh step up coordination amid Iran war

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara, May 6, 2026.

Iran, China discuss Hormuz reopening amid potential US-Iran talks

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, second right, talks to his Iranian Counterpart Abbas Araghchi, left, during the bilateral meeting in Beijing, Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

Lebanon, Israel eye third round of talks, but no Netanyahu-Aoun meeting in sight

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

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

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a ceremony marking Holocaust Remembrance Day for the six million Jews killed during World War II, at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem on May 5, 2024.

Netanyahu 'committed' to US cease-fire plan despite 'partial' deal offer

The State Department characterized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's comment that he would accept only a partial cease-fire deal as a slip of the tongue.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas shakes hands with China’s President Xi Jinping after a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 14, 2023.

Palestinian talks in China postponed as Hamas, Fatah trade blame

Hamas and Fatah were due to meet in Beijing this month, following talks in the Chinese capital in April aimed at unifying the rivals amid the war with Israel.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

'A security risk': Israeli commission warns Netanyahu on submarine affair

While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not been charged in the submarine affair trial, a state inquiry commission has warned that its conclusions could harm him.

A man walks past the flowers laying in front of the representative office of Dagestan in Moscow on June 24, 2024, following terrorist attacks in Dagestan.

Attacks on churches, synagogues in Russia’s Dagestan: What we know

The incident follows a major ISIS attack in Moscow in March.

Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (L) meets with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon, Washington, March 26, 2024.

Israel’s Gallant in US as Netanyahu hints at moving Gaza troops to Lebanon border

Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is in Washington to ensure arms are delivered as war looms on the border with Lebanon.

Turkish security forces carry out a raid against ISIS suspects.

Turkey detains over 30 ISIS suspects as raids continue

The detentions come amid a series of attacks by the Islamic State's Khorasan branch in the region.

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon holds airport tours to dispel weapons report amid Israel-Hezbollah tension

Lebanon has responded to a report that Hezbollah is moving weapons through its international airport with a tour for foreign diplomats and journalists.

Iranian presidential candidate Saeed Jalili arrives to attend an election campaign rally in Tehran on June 18, 2024.

Runoff seen likely in Iran's election as Jalili, Pezeshkian, Ghalibaf lead polls

The Islamic Republic is still facing the key challenge of voter apathy according to the latest opinion polls, while fierce factional rivalries characterized the live debates seen by only one out of every four Iranians.

Argentina's Minister of Defence Luis Petri (R) arrives in a Danish F-16 aircraft at Skrydstrup Airport, Denmark, prior his meeting with Denmark's Minister of Defence on April 16, 2024.

What will Turkey gain from F-16 deal with United States?

As Turkey’s long saga to purchase F-16 fighter jets and modernization kits is nearing completion, experts say Turkey's defense establishment will make additional gains from the deal.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives for a news conference on January 9, 2020 in Ottawa, Canada. - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday that Canada had intelligence from multiple sources indicating that a Ukrainian airliner which crashed outside Tehran was mistakenly shot down by Iran. (Photo by Dave Chan / AFP) (Photo by DAVE CHAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

How significant is Canada's designation of Iran's IRGC as terrorist organization?

Iranian Canadians have been advocating for designation of the IRGC for years, including after the downing of Ukraine International Airlines flight 752.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

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

A Palestinian girl sits next to rubble from the Al-Rai family home which was hit at dawn in Israeli bombardment of Nuseirat city in the central Gaza Strip on June 18, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant Hamas movement.

Fatigued by Israel-Hamas war, Gazans pin hopes on stalled cease-fire talks

Gazans have differing opinions about the cease-fire outline currently on the table, with many backing amendments to the US-backed proposal put forward by Hamas.

A picture taken on February 12, 2019, shows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) discussing with soldiers as he stands near a naval Iron Dome defence system, designed to intercept and destroy incoming short-range rockets and artillery shells, installed on a Sa'ar 5 Lahav Class corvette of the Israeli Navy fleet, in the northern port of Haifa. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Netanyahu’s arms complaints strain US ties, leave Israel exposed to Hezbollah

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's attack against the Biden administration for allegedly withholding arms deliveries exposes Israel’s vulnerability right now when tensions with Hezbollah run high.

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