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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

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah delivers his first speech since the Gaza war erupted almost four weeks ago, broadcast as part of an event in Beirut's southern suburbs, a stronghold of the Iran-backed militant group

Analysis

After Nasrallah’s speech, Israeli military sees diminished Hezbollah threat

Israeli security experts estimate that the large American military presence in the region is currently serving as deterrence against Hezbollah.

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

Israeli soldiers scuffle with Jewish settlers from the nearby Einav settlement, trying to storm the town of Deir Sharaf in the Nablus governorate of the occupied West Bank on Nov. 2, 2023, after an Israeli was killed when his car came under fire.

Blinken presses Israeli leaders on West Bank settler attacks

The top US diplomat said he received a "clear commitment" from Israel's leaders that they would condemn the extremist violence in the West Bank.

People gather in the Imam Hussein square in Tehran, during the televised speech of Lebanese Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah November 3, 2023. Nasrallah told the United States on November 3, that his Iran-backed group was ready to face its warships and the way to prevent a regional war was to halt the attacks in Gaza. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Hezbollah's Nasrallah refrains from entering Israel-Hamas war, praises Iraq, Yemen proxies

In his first public speech since Hamas’ attack on Israel, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said the operation was purely Palestinian, that his movement had no hand in it, and accused the US of direct involvement in the Gaza war.

Hatab funeral

Israel-Hamas war sees highest death toll for journalists in 31 years

Palestine TV said its its correspondent Mohammad Abu Hatab was killed in an Israeli airstrike, the latest of dozens of Palestinian, Israeli and Lebanese journalists to be killed since the war began.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a war cabinet meetting attended by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, 2nd from left, in Tel Aviv, Nov. 3, 2023.

Blinken returns to Israel in bid to secure 'humanitarian pause' in Gaza

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Friday in an effort to secure a "humanitarian pause" in the Gaza Strip.

Nasrallah

Day 28 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Friday, Nov. 3

Israeli soldiers are seen in the Palestinian village of Dayr Sharaf, in the West Bank located about seven kilometres (four miles) from the Jewish Einav settlement after an Israeli man was killed leading to dozens of Jewish settlers storming the village on November 2, 2023, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Three Palestinians were killed on November 2, 2023, by Israeli fire in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said, and an Israeli

Israel approves transfer of tax revenues to Palestinian Authority

The Israeli cabinet approved the transfer to pay the Palestinian security apparatus, despite objection by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Palestinian Hamas supporters raise flags as they rally in support of the occupied West Bank and the Nablus-based Lion's Den armed group (Areen Al-Asood), following the Friday noon prayers in Gaza City, on Nov. 25, 2022.

After Israel attack, US follows Hamas trail of money

As Israel fights Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the United States is waging its own battle against the militant group’s finances.

People check the rubble of buildings destroyed in an Israeli strike on the Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on Nov. 2, 2023.

Day 27 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Thursday, Nov. 2

Rafah crossing

First group of US citizens evacuates to Egypt from Gaza

The United States is working to get some 400 of its citizens and their family members out of the Gaza Strip via the Rafah gate on Egypt's border.

People demonstrate in support of Palestinians in Cali, Colombia, on Oct. 19, 2023.

Chile, Colombia, Jordan recall Israel ambassadors after Bolivia cuts ties

Bolivia became the first country to end its diplomatic ties with Israel over the war in Gaza.

Jabalia

Global outcry grows after Israeli strikes on Gaza's Jabalia refugee camp

Continued attacks with disproportionate toll on civilians draw international condemnation of Israel's war effort.