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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.

Latest News

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

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)

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

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 Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah meets deputy head of Hamas’ politburo Saleh al-Arouri, and head of the Islamic Jihad Ziad al-Nakhalah.

Hezbollah hosts Palestinian factions as warnings surge over Lebanon's volatility

Hezbollah and Israel have been trading fire since Hamas launched its surprise attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7, raising fears of a new front in south Lebanon.

THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli airstrikes in Syria mark 4th suspected round since Gaza war

The Israeli military said it struck Syrian military targets in response to rocket fire in yet another cross-border flare up, leading to casualties among Syrian forces.

US President Joe Biden holds a press conference following a solidarity visit to Israel, on October 18, 2023, in Tel Aviv, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Thousands of people, both Israeli and Palestinians have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip, entered southern Israel in a surprise attack leading Israel to declare war on Hamas in Gaza on October 8. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP) (Photo by BREN

Al-Monitor/Premise poll: 82% of Americans wary of US intervention in Israel-Hamas war

As the Israel-Hamas war rages on and threatens to spill into a wider regional conflict, Americans are either unsure of or reject a US military intervention in the region, according to a new Al-Monitor/Premise poll.

Armenia Azerbaijan Iran

Iran plays up mediator role in hosting Azerbaijan-Armenia dialogue

The Islamic Republic took the opportunity of the regional summit to promote its anti-Western agenda by urging South Caucasus nations to reject "interference from extra-regional" powers.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and UAE's President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed meet on Oct. 24, 2023.

Turkey's Fidan travels to UAE, Qatar, seeks mediation on Israel-Hamas war

The top Turkish diplomat, who met with the Emirati leaders in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, is set to travel to Qatar, where Hamas' political bureau is based.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey's finance chief Simsek embarks on third Gulf trip

The Turkish finance minister's new Gulf tour marks his third trip to the region as Ankara ramps its efforts to attract foreign funds.

Floral tributes and a poster depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin are seen left at the fence of the Palestinian embassy in Moscow on October 19, 2023. Thousands of people, both Israeli and Palestinians have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants entered Israel in a surprise attack leading Israel to declare war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip on October 8. (Photo by Natalia KOLESNIKOVA / AFP) (Photo by NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel relayed to Russia 'dissatisfaction' over its Hamas position as rift widens

Israel is concerned by declarations by Russian President Vladimir Putin and other officials that could signal a shift in Moscow’s views toward it.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Macron shakes hands with Netanyahu

In Israel, France’s Macron proposes anti-ISIS coalition against Hamas

On a solidarity visit to Israel, French President Emmanuel Macron proposed harnessing the anti-ISIS coalition to fight against Hamas and regional terrorism.

Merkava tanks roll into position outside Kibbutz Beeri near the border with the Gaza Strip on October 20, 2023, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. Thousands of people, both Israeli and Palestinians have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip, entered southern Israel in a surprise attack leading Israel to declare war on Hamas in Gaza on October 8. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP) (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP via Getty Ima

Analysis

Israel sees Gaza ground invasion inevitable, insists no US veto

Israeli security officials say Israel will not necessarily wait for approval from the Biden administration to launch its ground offensive against Hamas, but is taking messages relayed by Washington very seriously.

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

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (C) arrives at the opening ceremony of diplomatic symposium at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on October 24, 2023. (Photo by Ken Ishii / POOL / AFP) (Photo by KEN ISHII/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

China’s Wang Yi urges Israel to 'protect Chinese institutions' as Gaza war rages

China, which has significant economic interests in Israel, has criticized its conduct in the war, but has not condemned Hamas’ attack on southern Israel.

DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Day 18 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Tuesday, Oct. 24

An Israeli soldier patrols near Kibbutz Reim, close to the place where 270 revelers were killed by militants during the Supernova Oct. 7 music festival, in southern Israel, Oct. 12, 2023.

Feature

'They’re here': Survivors of Hamas attack recount horrors, wait for missing

Gabrielle Debinski

By Gabrielle Debinski

In New York City, reporting on the Middle East