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Politics & Security

Mazloum Kobane, commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), speaks during the pan-Kurdish "Unity and Consensus" conference in Qamishli in northeastern Syria on April 26, 2025.

Interview

Syrian Kurdish commander Kobane says Turkey visit ‘in the making,’ Ocalan meeting possible

The SDF commander-in-chief reflected on a fragile integration deal with Damascus, growing Kurdish backlash and ongoing talks with Turkey as questions mount over Rojava’s political future.

Mazloum Kobane

Mazloum Kobane

SDF commander in chief

ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images

Iran's IRGC holds anti-helicopter drills in Tehran: What to know

Iran said it downed two US helicopters last month as American forces use the aircraft for strikes in the Gulf.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, and Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan shake hands before a meeting at Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022.

Turkey, Armenia to launch direct trade in normalization push: What to know

The move removes a decades-old reexport mechanism routed largely through Georgia as Ankara and Yerevan step up normalization efforts.

Latest News

In first, Lebanon files formal UN complaint against Iran: What to know

FADEL Itani / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

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

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.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Lebanon authorities release Salafist cleric Khaled Hablas: What to know

Khaled Hablas

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

Libyan Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush holds a press conference at the end of an Arab foreign ministers meeting in Tripoli, January 22, 2023.

Libya suspends foreign minister over secret meeting with Israeli counterpart

The Libyan government suspended Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush after Israel revealed she had met with Foreign Minister Eli Cohen last week in Italy.

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/saudi-arabia-eyes-chinese-bid-nuclear-plant-wsj-2023-08-25/

US lawmakers make unannounced trip to northwest Syria

The three Republican lawmakers visited a school for displaced children during their short visit.

The President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi attends a meeting during the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Aug. 24, 2023.

Raisi pushes anti-US agenda in BRICS as Iran celebrates ascension

The Islamic Republic hopes that BRICS membership will remedy its ailing economy and open a new front against American influence in the global sphere.

A man walks past a power station on the outskirts of Beijing, April 7, 2005.

Analysis

US-Saudi nuclear cooperation makes sense because of China, not just Israel

The Biden administration plays the long game with China in the Middle East; prospects for a GCC gas grid; Hydrogen race is on in the Gulf.

Week in Review

Andrew Parasiliti

By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti

MARTIN SYLVEST/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images

Denmark moves to ban Quran burning

Recent Quran burnings in Denmark and Sweden have reignited the debate on freedom of expression and led to security concerns.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Zelenskyy Fidan

Ukraine's Zelenskyy meets with Turkish FM as Black Sea pressure rises

The revival of the Black Sea grain deal was likely the top agenda item in the Turkish foreign minister’s meeting with Ukraine's leader as Ankara distances itself from Western efforts to set up alternative routes.

MAHMUD TURKIA/AFP via Getty Images

Libya captures Islamic State leader behind 2018 capital bombing

The Islamic State has exploited the chaos in Libya to extend its influence.

Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel's national security minister and leader of the far-right Jewish Power party, addresses supporters in Jerusalem, November 2, 2022.

US condemns Israel’s Ben-Gvir over 'racist rhetoric'

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who said his right to move freely in the West Bank was more important than that of Palestinians, has faced growing international criticism, including from US model Bella Hadid.

Arab Israelis demonstrate against organized crime and calling on the Israeli police to stop a wave of intra-communal violence, Umm al-Fahm, March 12, 2021.

Analysis

Does Israel’s government want to curb deadly crime wave in Arab sector?

Despite electoral promises, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has nothing to show in terms of stopping spiraling violence in Arab Israeli towns and villages.

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

Evangelical Christian pilgrims from Hungary march during a parade in celebration of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot (Tabernacles) and to express solidarity with Israel, downtown Jerusalem, September 24, 2013.

Israel to review visa policy, ease entry for evangelical Christian NGOs

Leaders of the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem want Israeli authorities to find a lasting solution to problems involving work visas for clergy and foreign staff.

A boy waves an Iranian national flag as supporters of Iran's newly-elected president Ebrahim Raisi celebrate his victory in Imam Hussein square in the capital Tehran on June 19, 2021.

Can US-Iran prisoner deal build trust for broader talks?

Experts say the release of five Americans held in Iran could lay the groundwork for a resumption of nuclear talks between the longtime adversaries.

AFP via Getty Images

Prigozhin’s death spells end of Wagner, but Russia won't abandon its missions

With the Wagner Group's top leadership reportedly dead in a likely assassination, Moscow is continuing to quietly replace the private mercenary outfit in its overseas operations.