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Politics & Security

Women shop from a street vendor at Enghelab Square in the capital Tehran on Nov. 11, 2025.

Analysis

From hoarding to unemployment: Iran's economy buckles under US pressure

Iran's fast-rising inflation is driving aggressive state market controls, exposing deeper structural strains from war, sanctions and declining consumer confidence.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Explosions rattled buildings in Dubai and a large cloud of smoke hung over a central area of the Middle East financial hub on March 13, 2026.

Analysis

How the Iran war is exposing a growing Saudi-UAE divide

Reports on Emirati and Saudi strikes suggest Gulf monarchies moved beyond passive defense — but followed sharply different strategies.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

An undated image released by the Justice Department shows Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi (R) speaking with Iranian Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US strike in 2020.

Iraqi militia leader in US custody after arrest: What to know

Authorities said the individual is linked to a mysterious pro-Iran group that has been claiming attacks on Jewish communities in Europe.

Latest News

Lebanon-Israel ceasefire extended 45 days as US opens security talks

talks

Analysis

‘A reckless act’: Netanyahu sparks UAE fury by claiming secret visit

US President Donald Trump talks to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as he departs the Al Bateen Executive Airport on May 15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

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

Trump’s Gaza plan stalls as Hamas resists disarmament

President Donald Trump speaks in front of the American flag to the press as he departs the White House on May 12, 2026, in Washington, DC.

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

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - MAY 25: People walk past an election campaign poster for Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on May 25, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. The country is holding its first presidential runoff election after neither candidate earned more than 50% of the vote in the May 14 election. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Erdogan vs. Kilicdaroglu: What to expect in Turkey's first ever election runoff

Though polls give a lead to the incumbent president, a victory by the main opposition leader in Sunday’s presidential runoff seems still possible depending on a combination of challenging factors.

This photograph taken on Feb. 8, 2023, shows a large banner with a portrait of Belgian aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele.

Iran, Belgium complete prisoner swap mediated by Oman

Belgian national Olivier Vandecasteele was released from prison in Iran in an Oman-mediated exchange deal.

Israel's new army chief of staff Herzi Halevi (C) speaks to a supporter following his official appointment ceremony in Jerusalem, on January 16, 2023. (Photo by Maya Alleruzzo / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MAYA ALLERUZZO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Israeli brass sounds alarm on Iran's readiness to launch nuclear attack

Israeli officials are watching tensely as intelligence indicates Iran is working on the detonation mechanisms needed for a nuclear bomb.

Saudi students visit booths of Canadian universities during the International Exhibition & Conference on Higher Education, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 19, 2011.

Analysis

What's behind Saudi Arabia’s decision to restore ties with Canada?

Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador in 2018 following Canada’s criticism of women’s rights activists in the Gulf country.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

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

Supporters draped in the flags of the AKP, the Turkish flag and the image of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkey Elections: Kurds, far-right rally behind Kilicdaroglu ahead of Sunday’s vote

Refuting speculation, Turkey’s largest Kurdish political movement announced it would continue to support the main opposition leader despite his alliance with the far right.

A large poster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is decorated with paper flowers during the opening of the 42nd International Flower Show in the Tishreen park in the capital Damascus on June 22, 2022. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP) (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Syria's Assad accuses France of 'hysteria' for calling to put him on trial

Damascus is furious after French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said she thinks Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should stand trial for his role in the Syrian war.

missile

Iran tests ballistic missile with 1250-mile range, capable of hitting Israel

The missile's declared range makes it capable of reaching Israel, which warned Tehran this week with military action over its ramped-up nuclear enrichment and regional activities.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to supporters at Justice and Development Party headquarters, Ankara, Turkey, May 15, 2023.

Turkey Elections: Deepfakes, disinformation ‘misdirect’ voters ahead of runoff

False claims and montage videos have featured heavily in campaign leading to Sunday’s presidential rerun.

TOPSHOT - A huge electoral poster bearing a portrait of Turkish President and presidential candidate of AK Party Recep Tayyip Erdogan with a slogan which reads "Keep going with the right man" covers the facade of a high-rise building in Ankara, on May 23, 2023, ahead of the presidential election runoff on May 28, 2023. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Al-Monitor/Premise Turkey poll: Erdogan, Kilicdaroglu statistically tied in election runoff

The poll found the economy, refugees and justice stand out as the top three issues that the country faces, with 71% of respondents favoring an imminent return of refugees in the country.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia takes his seat ahead of a working lunch at the G-20 Summit, Nusa Dua, Indonesia, Nov. 15, 2022.

Israeli-Saudi normalization still elusive despite US push

The Biden administration is seeking full diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, but Riyadh is unlikely to embrace normalization without significant concessions.

A Palestinian youth runs during confrontations with Israeli troops following a protest against the expropriation of Palestinian land by Israel in the occupied- West Bank, in the village of Kfar Qaddum, near the Jewish settlement of Kedumim, on May 19, 2023. (Photo by Jaafar ASHTIYEH / AFP) (Photo by JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP via Getty Images)

Israeli settlers, Palestinians clash near Homesh in West Bank after EU visit

Reports of Israel's intention to move the makeshift yeshiva at the West Bank Homesh settlement to nearby state land have stoked tensions and clashes between Israeli settlers and Palestinians.

Navy drugs

French navy in Mideast seizes $108M drug shipment in Indian Ocean

The seizures mark the latest sign of US and allied cooperation on interdiction in Gulf waterways.