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Politics & Security

US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, speaks during a press conference

Explainer

Who will lead Congress? Democrats weigh Schumer alternatives, Jeffries bid

A number of contenders have emerged as challengers to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, including strong critics of the Iran war and US support to Israel.

Tump

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.

Latest News

Explainer

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

Tomer Neuberg / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

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.

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

Baghdad

US strike in Baghdad kills Kataib Hezbollah commander as Iraq tensions simmer

A Telegram channel affiliated with Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) reported that Abu Baqir al-Saadi, a commander in Kataib Hezbollah, was killed in the attack.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Rare Shin Bet, Palestinian meeting as fears of Ramadan tensions grow

Israeli and Palestinian officials met this week in Tel Aviv to discuss how to prevent an explosion of violence in Jerusalem and the West Bank during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Mohammed Dahman/Getty Images

What's in Hamas cease-fire proposal — and will Israel accept?

Hamas has submitted its response to a cease-fire proposal with its own conditions, including a pause in the fighting and the start of reconstruction in Gaza.

PETRAS MALUKAS/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey's manufacturer of Bayraktar drones is building plant in Ukraine

The Baykar CEO said “nothing” could impede the construction process for the joint Turkish-Ukrainian drone factory, dismissing security risks.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) meets with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh on October 14, 2023. Blinken on October 13, 2023, began a tour of six Arab capitals to build pressure on Hamas while Israel readies a massive offensive on the Gaza Strip following the militants' attacks.

Saudi Arabia says no relations with Israel before recognition of Palestinian state on 1967 borders

The Saudi remarks came after a US official said normalization discussions between Israel and Saudi Arabia were moving forward.

In an aerial view, a new housing project under construction for displaced earthquake survivors is seen in the Gulderen district on Feb. 1, 2024, in Hatay, Turkey.

With $104 billion in damages, Turkey’s earthquake region sees slow recovery

Turkey’s quake victims can hardly hope for a faster recovery, as Ankara seems to be keeping the pace of reconstruction tied to its overall economic roadmap, wary of overheating the fragile economy.

An Iranian Navy warship takes part in the "National Persian Gulf day" in the Strait of Hormuz on April 30, 2019.

Iran plans joint naval exercise with Russia, China as Red Sea tensions soar

The trilateral drills will be the first this year that Iran is holding with the two powers, as it remains under Western pressure over involvement in attacks on international navigation in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf.

Relatives of missing persons hold placards and a banner with their portraits at the Hatay Earthquake Martyrs Cemetery, during a gathering marking the first anniversary of a powerful earthquake that hit the region, in Antakya, southern Turkish Hatay Province, on Feb. 6, 2024.

Turkey marks anniversary of deadliest earthquakes in its modern history

A year on, survivors of Turkey’s massive twin earthquakes gathered across the impact zone encompassing 11 provinces to commemorate their loved ones.

President Joe Biden answers questions while departing the White House on Jan. 30, 2024 in Washington, DC.

Will Biden listen to Congress progressives, condition aid to Israel?

More Democratic senators are asking the White House to condition military support to Israel as the war in Gaza drags on and the humanitarian situation grows more dire.

Nawaf Salam, Lebanon's Ambassador to the United Nations, speaks to the media after Security Council consultations on the Palestinian request for full United Nations membership during the General Assembly September 26, 2011 at UN headquarters in New York. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP via Getty Images)

Meet Lebanon's Nawaf Salam, new ICJ president

Salam, Lebanon’s former ambassador to the UN, becomes head of the UN’s top legal body at a critical time amid the Gaza war.

handshake

Argentina’s Milei breaks with Latin America, doubles down on Israel support

Argentinian President Javier Milei announced on a trip to Israel Tuesday that he would move his country's embassy to Jerusalem and advance legislation at home declaring Hamas a terror organization.

AMANUEL SILESHI/AFP via Getty Images

Ethiopia's Abiy Ahmed downplays war risk with Somalia over Somaliland deal

Ethiopian premier has said his country has no intention of fighting with Somalia and that it's ready to negotiate with Egypt and Sudan on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance (GERD) standoff.