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Politics & Security

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Can Trump turn midterm defeat into Iran breakthrough?

Although Iran may have contributed to Republican losses in midterms, the Trump administration still has a historic opportunity in the Middle East.

Manon Roca / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon files charges against 2 Hezbollah members as UNIFIL prepares to withdraw

The move comes amid growing security concerns in the south less than two months before the UNIFIL mandate expires.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses Turkish members of parliament during the opening of the parliamentary session at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in Ankara, on Oct. 1, 2026.

Turkey’s parliament ratifies Mecca pact in boost to Saudi Arabia

Turkey will now decide the scope of military support for Saudi Arabia amid ongoing Iran-backed Houthi attacks on the kingdom.

Tomer Neuberg / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Explainer

Arab parties' backing gives Eisenkot edge over Netanyahu for PM: What to know

With 67 Knesset members backing his candidacy, Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot could win the mandate to form the next government.

Latest News

Massie renews Hegseth impeachment push as GOP blames Iran war for midterm losses

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testifies during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, on July 21, 2026, in Washington.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Can Erdogan’s Baku visit fix Turkey-Azerbaijan rift?

TOFIK BABAYEV/AFP via Getty Images

Russia to provide Iran with 90 missile launchers as military ties grow: Reports

Russian Mil Mi-8 military helicopters fly over a joint Russian and Turkish convoy, northeastern Hasakeh province, Syria, Feb. 4, 2021.

Turkey says soldier killed by gunfire from Iran at border: What to know

A sign marking the border of Turkey in Van, Turkey, on March 14, 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

The leader of Syria's Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that headed a lightning rebel offensive snatching Damascus from government control, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, waves to the crowd before addressing them at the capital's landmark Umayyad Mosque on December 8, 2024. Jolani, now using his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa, gave a speech as the crowd chanted "Allahu akbar (God is greatest)," a video shared by the rebels on their Telegram channel showed. (Photo by Abdulaziz KETAZ / AFP) (Photo by ABDULAZIZ KE

US scraps $10M bounty on HTS leader Golani after meeting in Damascus

A delegation including Assistant Secretary Barbara Leaf and hostage envoy Roger Carstens met with leaders of the powerful rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

Walid Jumblatt delivers a speech during a gathering in Ain Zhalta on June 25, 2023.

Ahead of Syria visit, Lebanon Druze leader Jumblatt says give HTS 'a chance'

The influential member of the Lebanese Druze community warned against the influence of Israeli Druze leader Mowafaq Tarif and called for Syria to remain united after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad.

A Syrian man prays on July 12, 2017, at a cemetary in Khan Sheikhun

Syria’s hidden stash of chemical weapons hangs over post-Assad transition

Destroying what remains of the Syrian regime's chemical arsenal is a top concern for the United States and its partners following Bashar al-Assad's sudden ouster.

US soldiers inspect the site of reported Turkish shelling days earlier on an oil extraction facility on the outskirts of Rumaylan, in Syria's Kurdish-controlled northeastern Hasakeh province on October 28, 2024. Following an attack on October 23 at the state-run Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) near Ankara, Turkey's defence ministry had announced strikes against sites linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Iraq and Syria. (Photo by Delil souleiman / AFP) (Photo by DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Im

Pentagon says 2,000 US troops in Syria, not 900

The shell games continue in Washington over how many American troops remain in the aftermath of the war against the Islamic State group.

DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Exclusive

US envoy works to reconcile rival Kurds in Syria as Turkey masses forces near Kobani

With the collapse of the Syrian regime in an offensive led by the Sunni militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its Turkey-backed allies, Syrian Kurds need to forge a common front as the new power constellation takes shape.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Erdogan Sisi met in Cairo on Dec. 19

Turkey’s Erdogan in Egypt, holds first meeting with Sisi after Assad's fall

The Turkish and Egyptian leaders focused on Syrian reconstruction, humanitarian aid to Gaza and strengthening bilateral relations.

A Russian soldier stands next to submarines at the Russian naval base in the Syrian Mediterranean port of Tartous, on Sept. 26, 2019.

Analysis

Russia, reeling from Assad loss, delays decision on Syria naval presence till March

Russia’s military withdrawal from Syria marks a strategic shift, with diplomatic efforts now focused on retaining influence.

Anton Mardasov

By Anton Mardasov

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (R) shakes hands with D-8 Secretary General Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam, Cairo, Dec. 19, 2024.

Iran president pays rare visit to Egypt in latest sign of thawing ties

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian traveled to Cairo to attend a summit of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation.

Yemeni firefighters douse oil tanks with water at a power station hit in an Israeli airstrike in the Houthi-run capital, Sanaa, Dec. 19, 2024.

Israel strikes Yemen ports, power stations in retaliation against Houthis

Dozens of Israeli fighter jets struck three ports and two power plants in Sanaa, the capital.

Salah Malkawi/Getty Images

Syria's crossing with Jordan reopens as Israeli military takes position in south

Jordanian and Syrian trucks are once again using the only border crossing between the two countries as Israeli troops take position in a buffer zone and European diplomats engage with the new authorities in Syria.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi looks on during a meeting between the top diplomats of Iraq, Syria and Iran at the Iraqi Foreign Ministry in Baghdad on Dec. 6, 2024.

Iran’s Araghchi in Egypt as Tehran seeks to recover from regional blows

Iran is hoping the Cairo summit will serve as an opportunity for rapprochement with Egypt and a venue to pursue its diplomatic campaign against Israel.

Abu Mohammed al-Jolani addresses a crowd at the capital's landmark Umayyad Mosque on Dec. 8, 2024.

HTS expands Syria rule with amnesty programs, minority outreach: What we know

Authorities in Syria, led by the Islamist rebel group, are calling for the dissolution of armed groups and are reportedly allowing alcohol to be served in Damascus as crime and economic issues persist.