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Politics & Security

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands as they arrive for talks at the Gimhae Air Base in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30, 2025.

Analysis

Ahead of Trump-Xi summit, Iran looks to China as guarantor — but with reservations

Tehran is closely watching the Trump-Xi meeting to determine whether China will continue acting primarily as a protector or if it will gradually emerge as the power capable of pressuring Iran into a narrower strategic corner.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Khaled Hablas

Lebanon authorities release Salafist cleric Khaled Hablas: What to know

Hablas was imprisoned for his role in the deadly 2014 clashes with the military and Hezbollah and his release follows Syria lobbying for the return of militants detained in Lebanon.

The helicopter of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lands on Abdulhamid Han drill ship, the fourth built by Turkey, in Mersin on Aug. 9, 2022, before being sent for gas exploration to an undisputed area in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Gazipasa.

New Turkey maritime draft bill fuels EastMed tensions with Greece, Cyprus

Turkey’s draft maritime bill seeks to formalize Ankara’s claims in the Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean and Black seas, raising tensions with Greece and Cyprus over contested maritime boundaries and offshore energy rights.

Artillery units are positioned near the Lebanese border in northern Israel, May 4, 2026.

Analysis

Israel’s drone dilemma: Hezbollah’s low-cost threat reshapes Lebanon front

While Israeli and Lebanese delegations are set to meet in Washington for the third time, the Israeli military faces a growing threat from Hezbollah’s cheap yet highly lethal drones.

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

Latest News

Kuwait unveils Iran IRGC infiltration plot, arrests 4: What to know

TTA KENARE/AFP/GettyImages

Rubio hosts Ethiopia’s FM amid push to boost security ties: What to know

Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos Hessebon meets with Marco Rubio in Washington on May 11, 2026.

US hits China-linked Iran oil trade with sanctions ahead of Trump trip

A picture taken on March 12, 2017, shows an Panamanian tanker docking at the platform of the oil facility in the Khark Island, on the shore of the Gulf.

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

Lebanese security forces use water cannons as they clash with protesters outside the US Embassy in Awkar east of Beirut, during a demonstration in solidarity with the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip, on October 18, 2023. Thousands rallied across the Arab and Muslim world on October 18 to protest the deaths of hundreds of people in a strike on a Gaza hospital that they blame on Israel, despite its denials. (Photo by Ibrahim AMRO / AFP) (Photo by IBRAHIM AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

US issues 'worldwide' alert for citizens amid Israel-Hamas war

The US Embassy in Beirut also urged Americans wishing to depart Lebanon to make plans "as soon as possible."

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a joint press conference, Jerusalem, Oct. 19, 2023.

Sunak supports Israel, hails accord on Gaza humanitarian aid delivery

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed support of Israel’s right to self-defense and welcomed its agreeing to allow humanitarian aid through the Rafah crossing.

KHAN YUNIS, GAZA - OCTOBER 19: A woman cries as she bids farewell to the bodies of Palestinians killed during Israeli airstrikes on October 19, 2023 in Khan Yunis, Gaza. Gazans are evacuating to the south as advised by the Israeli government, ahead of an expected Israeli ground offensive. Israel has sealed off Gaza, leaving the entire population without fuel, water or aid, and launched sustained retaliatory air strikes, which have killed more than 2,000 people and some 400,000 displaced, after a large-scale

Gaza in 'unprecedented catastrophe': over 3,700 deaths, 1,524 are children

Aid trucks are expected to start entering Gaza through the Rafah crossing after an agreement by the US and Egyptian presidents.

Military drone

US troops shoot down third drone over Iraq as Biden visits Israel

Coalition personnel suffered minor injuries after a thwarted drone attack on the Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq's Anbar province, as Iran-backed factions continue threats to attack US forces over Washington's support for Israel's war in Gaza.

ran's President Ebrahim Raisi watches combat drones alongside high-ranking officials and commanders during a military parade marking the country's annual army day in Tehran on April 18, 2023.

US targets Iran's drone, missile programs as UN restrictions expire

US officials said the latest sanctions are intended to constrain Iran's military relationship with Russia and counter the Islamic Republic's destabilizing regional behavior.

Gaza aid

Netanyahu agrees to Biden’s request for humanitarian aid via Egypt

After his meeting with US President Joe Biden, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war cabinet agreed to the transfer of humanitarian aid to Gaza, but only through the Rafah crossing in Egypt.

Iraqis hold portait of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (L) and shout slogans during a demonstration near the suspension bridge leading to Baghdad's Green Zone and the US Embassy in Baghdad on October 18, 2023, protesting a strike on a Gaza hospital which killed hundreds a day earlier. Thousands rallied across the Arab and Muslim world on October 18 to protest the deaths of hundreds of people in a strike on a Gaza hospital that they blame on Israel, despite its denials. (Photo by Ahmad AL-RUBAYE

Anti-US slogans, photos of Iran's Khamenei on display in Iraq's pro-Gaza protests

US forces in Iraq said they have come under fire as anger spreads in the Arab world over the deadly Gaza hospital explosion. Arab governments condemned Israel for the incident, but the United States maintains that a Palestinian group was likely responsible.

A vigil for the victims of the al-Ahli Arab hospital explosion.

US intelligence suggests Israel did not bomb Gaza hospital: sources

Pentagon officials say independent US intelligence casts doubt on allegations the IDF bombed the al-Ahli hospital in northern Gaza, but cautioned that not all information is in yet.

10/18/2023, Istanbul, Turkey. Protesters demonstrate in front of the Israeli Consulate after an explosion at a hospital in Gaza killed hundreds on October 17, 2023, in Istanbul, Turkey. Subsequently, protesters clash with police. (Photo by Ilker Eray / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by ILKER ERAY/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Pro-Gaza protests in Turkey target Israeli consulate, McDonald's

As the bombing of a Gaza hospital sparked protests across Turkey, Israel has raised its travel warning to Turkey to the highest level.

a rally in front of the French embassy complex in Beirut early on October 18, 2023, in support of Palestinians after a strike on the Ahli Arab hospital in central Gaza that killed hundreds. Israel and Palestinians traded blame for the incident, which an "outraged and deeply saddened" US President Joe Biden denounced while en route to the Middle East. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon, Hezbollah hold 'day of rage' as US Embassy ups travel alert

Several pro-Palestinian rallies took place across the country, with demonstrators heeding Hezbollah’s call for a "day of rage."

US President Joe Biden, joined by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, delivers remarks on the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel in the State Dining Room of the White House, Washington, Oct. 10, 2023.

In Israel, Biden says hospital blast appears done by 'other team'

Upon his arrival in Israel, US President Biden said that the blast at al-Ahli hospital in Gaza appears to have been committed by the Palestinians, without naming Hamas or Islamic Jihad.

Lebanon protest

Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt condemn Israel over Gaza hospital blast

Gaza officials said hundreds were killed in the strike against the al-Ahli hospital, and the incident constitutes a major escalation in Israel’s war with Hamas.