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Politics & Security

Ozgu Ozel

Turkish opposition leader Ozgur Ozel could launch new party by August

Ozgur Ozel’s remarks on a potential new party came as the legal crackdown on the main opposition widened further this week with the arrest and suspension of the mayor of Cankaya,one of the party’s most secure and symbolically important strongholds in the heart of Ankara.

Visitors stand inside Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul on April 14, 2025.

Russian couple faces deportation from Turkey after Bible reading at Hagia Sophia

The couple were detained after reading from the Bible inside the Istanbul landmark, which remains one of Christianity’s most important historic sites despite its conversion into a mosque.

BEIRUT, LEBANON - OCTOBER 13: Lebanese people wave flags and hold portraits of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (not pictured) as he arrives in southern suberb of Beirut on October 13, 2010 in Lebanon. The controversial visit is seen as a boost for key ally Hezbollah. According to reports Mr Ahmadinejad may visit the border with Israel - the site of recent deadly clashes between Israeli and Lebanese forces. (Photo by Salah Malkawi/Getty Images)

Ahmadinejad denies alleged Mossad plot to install him as Iran leader: What to know

The former president, who was a virulent critic of Israel while in office, was reportedly part of a Mossad plan to replace the current Iranian leadership.

Latest News

Israel's Netanyahu plans US visit for Trump meeting, Graham memorial

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a cornerstone laying ceremony for the Atarot Heritage Center at an abandon airport in East Jerusalem near the separation wall with the Israeli occupied West Bank city of Ramallah on July 5, 2026.

Lebanon army enters Palestinian camp ahead of Aoun’s US visit

FATHI AL-MASRI/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

How UK's IRGC designation raises stakes for Iran and Europe

A general view of the Iranian Embassy on July 13, 2026, in London, England.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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

islamophobia

Meet Stuart Seldowitz: Ex-US official under fire for bigotry, Islamophobia

The former American official and lobbyist tirades at a New York street vendor, which went viral on social media, led to widespread condemnation and his firing from a lobbying firm.

US jets

Pentagon expands strikes on Iran-backed groups amid Iraq backlash

Iraq's government slammed US airstrikes that targeted Kata'ib Hezbollah command centers as 'an unacceptable violation of sovereignty' as Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani seeks to balance his support base with Baghdad's ties with Washington.

Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Analysis

What we know about Israel-Hamas cease-fire as Mossad chief visits Qatar

The parties involved hope that the upcoming four-day cease-fire will be expanded to include more hostages and more humanitarian assistance.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Israeli soldiers wait in their vehicle in an area in Southern Israel near the Gaza Strip on November 22, 2023 amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Why Israel's hostage deal with Hamas is not a permanent cease-fire

The negotiations that led to the deal for the expected release of 50 Israeli hostages, however excruciating, do not mean that Israel has given up on toppling Hamas in Gaza.

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

A foreign laborer pours water on his head as he tries to cool off during his working day.

Ahead of COP28, HRW says UAE migrant workers face more climate change risks

Human Rights Watch said migrant workers in the Gulf nation are more exposed to health risks related to climate change and also face abuse and violations.

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Two Israeli airstrikes hit Syria following Hamas deal, Damascus says

Israel is suspected of continuing to strike Iran-affiliated targets in Syria amid the Gaza war.

Forlorn Israeli soldier, hostages

Day 47 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Wednesday, Nov. 22

A woman holds portraits of hostages Erez Kalderon, 12, and of children of the Goldstein Almog family as protesters rally outside the UNICEF offices to demand the release of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip since the Hamas attack Oct. 7, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian armed group, Tel Aviv, Israel, Nov. 20, 2023.

Israel and Hamas reach deal to free 50 hostages in Gaza

Under the Qatari-mediated agreement, Hamas is expected to release 50 women and children, including three Americans, during a days-long pause in the fighting.

TOPSHOT - France's President Emmanuel Macron greets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as he arrives at presidential Elysee Palace in Paris, on June 16, 2023. French President Emmanuel Macron hosts Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for talks in Paris, seeking to nudge the de-facto leader of the oil-rich kingdom into more full-throated support of Ukraine against the Russian invasion. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP) (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images)

What Saudi crown prince's call to stop weapons exports means for Israel

The crown prince’s comments come amid persistent opposition to Israel’s strikes against Hamas in Gaza in the Arab world.

The new US Ambassador to Turkey David M. Satterfield (L) leaves after a wreath-laying ceremony at the Mausoleum of the Turkish Republic's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (Anitkabir), in Ankara, on Sept. 4, 2019.

US envoy says Israel to implement deconfliction mechanism for Gaza aid workers

US special envoy David Satterfield told Al-Monitor that a deconfliction mechanism would take effect shortly in Gaza, where Israel's military campaign has killed more than 100 United Nations staff.

US gunship

US gunship strikes Iran-backed militias in Iraq after ballistic missile attack

US commanders ordered lethal strikes in quick response to a missile attack on the Ain al-Asad air base, in a sign the military is taking matters into its own hands to defend its personnel in Iraq.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune (R) speak as they review a military honour guard during the welcoming ceremony, in Ankara, on May 16, 2022. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)

In Algeria, Turkey's Erdogan voices support for imminent Israel-Hamas deal

The Turkish president said that Ankara is in contact with Qatari authorities over a potential deal between Israel and Hamas.