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Politics & Security

Former Israeli army chief of staff Gadi Eizenkot speaks during the launch of the Yashar party's election campaign in Hod Aharon, in central Israel, on June 30, 2026.

New Israeli election poll puts Eisenkot ahead of Netanyahu: What to know

Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party has now bypassed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud in the polls, cementing his status as Netanyahu’s main opponent.

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey Alparslan Bayraktar speaks during the launch of an offshore energy exploration at the port in Mogadishu on April 10, 2026.

Turkey brokers intra-Somalia talks as federal rifts test Ankara’s influence

Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland and Jubaland states reportedly declined to join the talks, as Ankara is ramping up efforts to shore up support for Somalia’s federal institutions.

Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

Why US strikes on Iran rail bridge signal shift in Hormuz conflict

A US missile strike on the railway bridge linking Iran to Central and East Asia suggests the White House is once again flirting with politically coercive tactics after the June agreement failed to halt Iran's attacks on Hormuz shipping.

Latest News

'Obliterated entire families': Amnesty calls for investigating Israeli strikes in Lebanon as war crimes

FADEL itani / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

As Trump declares deal 'over,' IRGC takes lead in shaping Iran's response

Iranian NOPO special police officers stand guard in front of a large portrait of Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, at Valiasr square on July 3, 2026, in Tehran, Iran.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Trump 'undecided' on Turkey's F-35s as Congress seeks answers on S-400

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

This combination of file photographs created on July 7, 2024, shows Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) in Ankara on May 29, 2023, and Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on July 16, 2023.

Turkey’s defense chief: Syria wants timetable for troop withdrawal to resume talks

The defense minister said that Turkey "perceives" such a condition as an unwillingness to return to peace.

A blind man guided by a girl walk in front of a sign, in the city of Hargeisa, Somaliland, on September 16, 2021. - For 30 years, Somaliland has tried unsuccessfully to convince the world of its case for statehood, holding democratic elections and avoiding the anarchy that engulfed the rest of Somalia. (Photo by EDUARDO SOTERAS / AFP) (Photo by EDUARDO SOTERAS/AFP via Getty Images)

Somaliland rejects Turkey-led proposal for Ethiopia-Somalia talks

The breakaway region reaffirmed its commitment to a controversial deal it signed with Ethiopia in the face of Turkey’s alternative proposal.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Qatar to host Gaza cease-fire talks amid Iran-Israel tension: What we know

Hamas says it will not attend the talks, which will take place in Doha.

An armed Israeli soldier watches nationalists gathered at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem on June 5, 2024, during the so-called Jerusalem Day flag march.

Ben-Gvir’s Temple Mount visit angers both Muslims, ultra-Orthodox

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's visit to the Temple Mount on the fasting day of Tisha B’Av drew condemnation not only from the Muslim world but also the ultra-Orthodox community.

STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP via Getty Images

Air France to resume Beirut flights as Lufthansa, Ryanair extend suspensions

The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran has international airlines suspending flights to cities across the Middle East.

Sudan talks Geneva

US-sponsored Sudan peace talks open in Geneva without Burhan, army

Washington has insisted that the talks aimed at ending the war in Sudan begin despite the army's refusal to participate.

Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard boats attack a naval vessel during a three-day military drill in the Gulf on April 22, 2010.

Iran’s navy conducts drills in north as Israel, region brace for escalation

The drills come at a time of heightened tensions in the region, amid an expected Iranian attack against Israel over the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Turkish Foreign Ministry

Analysis

What’s next for Ethiopia-Somalia rift as talks in Turkey end with no breakthrough?

The two countries will meet next month for a third round, the top Turkish diplomat said.

Ezgi Akin

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

OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Woman who blamed Erdogan for Turkey’s Instagram ban jailed for 'insult'

A Turkish woman was arrested today for insulting Turkey’s president, infuriating many in the country — and even within his ruling Justice and Development Party.

Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

US delegations head to Middle East in bid to head off major escalation

Iran's diplomatic mission to the UN denied reports that Tehran is seeking a seat at the table for last-ditch Gaza cease-fire talks planned for Thursday.

rocket fire

Analysis

Iran, Israel in 'war of nerves' as US applies pressure to reach Gaza deal

The Biden administration is working both fronts simultaneously by pressuring the sides to reach a cease-fire deal in Gaza and limiting the expected attack on Israel by Iran and Hezbollah.

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

An elderly woman pulls a trolley ahead of the May 28 Turkey's presidential run-off, Istanbul, Turkey, May 22, 2023.

Turkey arrests teen who live streamed knife attack on five elderly people

The attack by an 18-year-old suspect on five members of the public rattled Turkey.