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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

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses his supporters after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won in country's general election, in New Delhi on June 4, 2024. Modi claimed election victory for his party and its allies on June 4, but the opposition said they had "punished" the ruling party to confound predictions and reduce their parliamentary majority. (Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP) (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)

From Israel to Iran, Modi 3.0 eyes deepening of India's Middle East ties

India refuses to be restricted by its former Cold War commitments; as with any other power or wannabe power, only self-interest matters, and the oil monarchies of the Gulf top India's list of friends in the region.

Turkish anti riot police officers block the street of Santa Maria church after an attack in Istanbul, on Jan. 28, 2024.

US, Turkey sanction ISIS smuggling group linked to Istanbul church attack

The Treasury Department said three of the sanctioned individuals were part of a human-smuggling network operating in Turkey.

Jack Guez/Getty Images

Analysis

Netanyahu, Sinwar play for time on Gaza cease-fire

The Israeli prime minister is in no rush for a showdown with the right over the Gaza Strip as attention shifts to Hezbollah.

Week in Review

Andrew Parasiliti

By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti

01/18/2024 Nablus, Palestine. Osama Hamdan, chief of Hamas' Foreign relations and member of its political bureau, conducts an interview in a Hamas office in the southern suburb of Dahiyeh in Beirut, Lebanon. (Photo by Oliver Marsden / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by OLIVER MARSDEN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Hamas figure says 'no one has any idea' how many hostages left alive

Hamas criticized US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s recent remarks on the cease-fire and blamed Israel for the failure to reach a deal, while a senior official said the group wants more clarity on the Biden administration proposal.

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Azerbaijan’s oil sales to Israel squeeze Turkey’s Erdogan amid Gaza conflict

Many Turks are demanding their government do more about Israel's ongoing bombardment of the Gaza Strip, including halting exports of Azerbaijani oil to Israel.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) speaks with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Indian President Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G-7 summit, June 14, 2024, Apulia, Italy.

Turkey’s Erdogan, UAE president discuss Gaza during G7

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also briefly chatted with US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the summit.

US special envoy Amos Hochstein (C) arrives for a meeting with Lebanon's parliament speaker in Beirut on November 7, 2023 amid continuing tenions on the Lebanese-Israeli border, one month after the start of the war between Hamas and Israel. While the war rages in Gaza, there has also been cross-border fighting between Israel and Lebanon's militant group Hezbollah. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Hochstein to visit Israel as Lebanon tensions soar, Gallant slams France's effort

Reacting to a statement by French President Emmanuel Macron, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel will not take part in a trilateral comittee to de-escalate tensions with Hezbollah.

Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli airstrike on the southern Lebanese village of Khiam near the border on June 8, 2024 amid ongoing cross-border tensions as fighting continues between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Rabih DAHER / AFP) (Photo by RABIH DAHER/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

As Hamas wavers on deal, Israel's main front moves to Lebanon's Hezbollah

As Netanyahu plays for time, the Israeli military has recommended to the government that troops wrap up their activities against Hamas in the southern Gaza city within a month and move on to deal with Hezbollah in the north.

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

Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli airstrike on Zibqin in southern Lebanon on June 12, 2024.

Hezbollah-Israel clashes intensify as fears grow of all-out war in Lebanon

The situation on the Israel-Lebanon border is worsening, all while US efforts to reach a cease-fire in Gaza have yet to lead to a deal.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani leaves after talks at the Coburg Palais, Vienna, Aug. 4, 2022.

Iran’s acting FM in Iraq for talks on bilateral ties, Gaza war

The visit is part of an ongoing regional tour that also took Ali Bagheri Kani to Lebanon and Syria and kicked off shortly after his appointment.

Giorgia Meloni was received at the presidential palace in Abu Dhabi by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. (WAM)

UAE, Saudi leaders expected at Italy's G7 summit as Meloni boosts Gulf ties

Italy is seeking Saudi investments and closer gas ties with the UAE, all while it focuses on migration and energy-related interests in North Africa.

US President Joe Biden (R) and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hold bilateral talks the NATO Summit in Vilnius on July 11, 2023. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Erdogan and Biden may meet at NATO's US summit in July, ambassador says

Amid widening differences over Gaza, Turkey postponed in April the Turkish president’s visit to the White House that was planned for May.