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Politics & Security

Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi attends a meeting of the Coordination Framework political bloc in Baghdad on April 27, 2026.

Breaking | Last Updated: May 14, 2026, 11:57 am

Iraq parliament approves government of Prime Minister Zaidi

Ali al-Zaidi, a prominent businessman with limited political experience, has backing from both the US and Iran.

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

Latest News

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

ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images

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

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.

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

FADEL Itani / 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

Iran flag

Iran moves US prisoners to house arrest ahead of planned exchange

Under a detainee deal negotiated between Washington and Tehran, several US citizens imprisoned in Iran have been transferred to house arrest in a step toward their full release.

A vehicle displays the flags of Iran and the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah as it moves in a funerary procession for a fallen fighter in Beirut's predominantly-Shiite Muslim southern suburb, on August 10, 2023 after he was killed the previous day amidst clashes between Hezbollah and residents of the Christian town of Kahale in Mount Lebanon. The Lebanese army said on August 10 that it had seized munitions from a Hezbollah truck that overturned near Beirut, leading to deadly clashes between Christian res

Breaking | Last Updated: August 10, 2023, 10:35 am

Lebanon: Shots fired at defense minister's car amid rising instability

The incident followed deadly clashes after a Hezbollah vehicle carrying ammunition overturned in a Christian village.

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

House Democrats urge cuts to Egypt's military aid over rights abuses

The Biden administration will soon decide whether to restrict part of the United States’ annual military assistance to Egypt for the third year in a row.

Church in Haifa

Anti-Christian violence in Israel spreads from Jerusalem to Haifa

Christians and Christian holy sites in Haifa are now targets of attacks by Jewish ultra-Orthodox extremists similar to previous such incidents in Jerusalem.

An exhibition calling for an end to executions in Iran on Trafalgar Square on Oct. 10, 2020, in London, England.

Iran executes five men for gang rape

Drug-related executions are particularly on the rise in Iran, despite international criticism of Iran’s legal system.

OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images

Syria's Assad 'wins big' in UN deal reviving aid to rebel-held northwest

Aid deliveries will resume to opposition-held northwestern Syria after the United Nations and the Syrian government suddenly agreed to revive the humanitarian pipeline for six months.

MORTEZA SALEHI/TASNIM NEWS/AFP via Getty Images

Iran claims to develop technology for supersonic cruise missile

The announcement comes amid military tensions between Iran and the United States.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel vows to 'return Lebanon to Stone Age' if Hezbollah starts war

In a video message, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant voiced Israeli concerns over the tent erected by Hezbollah near the border with Lebanon and other provocations by the group.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

UK, Turkey to set up joint center to control illegal migration

The British government's migration policy is under increasing scrutiny from the opposition Labour Party as well as international civic groups that accuse the state of mistreating irregular migrants.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

How much damage will Israel’s Smotrich funding cut do to east Jerusalem, Arab towns?

Israeli politicians are accusing Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of racism over his decision to end funding for higher education in east Jerusalem and his refusal to deliver development funds for Arab municipalities.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

MBZ

UAE president meets US national security adviser amid regional tensions

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan’s trip to Abu Dhabi comes amid US military maneuvers aimed at countering Iran in the Gulf.

United Arab Emirates

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan: Revival of Russia-Ukraine grain deal hinges on West

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Russia’s return to the critical deal was dependent on Western countries’ fulfilling their responsibilities.