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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, 2:05 pm

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

AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon void expands as Central Bank, security, presidential posts go vacant

As the presidential vacuum enters its ninth month, the central bank and the army are also facing a leadership void as political divisions hinder appointments.

Supporters of Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum gather to show their support for him in Niamey on July 26, 2023.

Saudi Arabia, UAE, Turkey, Algeria and Egypt express ‘concern’ over Niger coup

The coup in the West African country could be a victory for Russia. The Gulf has economic interests in the region.

SAFIN HAMID/AFP via Getty Images

Iraq’s Yazidis appeal to Baghdad for funds to rebuild their native Sinjar

Iraq's Yazidi groups are pleading for more financial assistance to rebuild Sinjar, which was decimated by the Islamic State.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's new Minister of National Security and leader of the far-right Jewish Power party, greets supporters during a visit to Mahane Yehuda market, Jerusalem, Dec. 30, 2022.

Jordan, Palestinians condemn visit by Israel’s Ben-Gvir to Temple Mount

After two largely-criticized visits since the beginning of the year to the site, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Temple Mount compound again, on the Jewish holy day of Tisha B’Av.

People demonstrate outside the US Embassy in Tel Aviv.

Biden walks tightrope as Israel’s democracy tested

The judicial overhaul pursued by Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition has bitterly divided Israeli society and cast further strain on US-Israel ties.

Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan (R) meets with his Chinese counterpart and Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, Wang Yi (L) in Ankara, on July 26, 2023. Wang Yi this week returns as China's foreign minister, stepping into a job he held for almost a decade in the face of the month-long absence of deposed diplomat Qin Gang. (Photo by POOL / AFP) (Photo by -/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey's Erdogan, Fidan talk economic ties with China's foreign minister

Despite the growing rapprochement between Ankara and Beijing, conflicts, long mistrust and economic rivalry will likely limit the extent of cooperation between Turkey and China, analysts believe.

This image grab taken from AFPTV video footage shows smoke clouds covering the sky during wildfires in the forests of Bejaia in northern Algeria.

Wildfires kill dozens as extreme heat sweeps across Algeria, Turkey, Europe

Scientists say the wildfires have become more intense in the past years due to climate change.

Gen. Michael Kurilla meets with Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv, July 26 2023 Credit: Nicole Laskevi/Defense Ministry

CENTCOM chief arrives in Israel, discusses Iran, Hezbollah with military brass

High-level visits and conversations between US and Israeli military leaders suggest that military cooperation continues despite the deepening rift.

Abbas, Erdogan, Haniyeh

Breaking | Last Updated: July 26, 2023, 8:54 am

Turkey's Erdogan brings rival Palestinian leaders together in rare meeting

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh met face-to-face in Ankara ahead of reconciliation talks in Cairo.

Israeli Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant (R) and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin shake hands after delivering a statement to the press at the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) headquarters near the Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, on March 9, 2023. - Austin, on a visit to Israel, expressed concerns on March 9 about Jewish settler violence against Palestinians and warned against acts that could trigger more insecurity. (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / AFP) (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN/AFP via Getty Images)

Pentagon seeks to deepen military ties with Israel despite judicial overhaul

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged his Israeli counterpart to "address extremist settler violence against Palestinian civilians," but said Washington's support was unwavering.

China Yi

China’s newly appointed FM Wang Yi heads to Turkey, will meet Erdogan

The meeting with Erdogan and Turkish FM Fidan will mark the first high-level visit from a Chinese official since 2021.

Journalists shout slogans and hold placards on Jan. 10, 2016.

Turkey arrests journalist over social media post, sparking outcry from civic groups

International and local rights watchdogs lambasted Firat Can Arslan’s and four other journalists’ detention.