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Politics & Security

US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, speaks during a press conference

Explainer

Who will lead Congress? Democrats weigh Schumer alternatives, Jeffries bid

A number of contenders have emerged as challengers to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, including strong critics of the Iran war and US support to Israel.

Tump

Can Trump turn midterm defeat into Iran breakthrough?

Although Iran may have contributed to Republican losses in midterms, the Trump administration still has a historic opportunity in the Middle East.

Manon Roca / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon files charges against 2 Hezbollah members as UNIFIL prepares to withdraw

The move comes amid growing security concerns in the south less than two months before the UNIFIL mandate expires.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses Turkish members of parliament during the opening of the parliamentary session at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in Ankara, on Oct. 1, 2026.

Turkey’s parliament ratifies Mecca pact in boost to Saudi Arabia

Turkey will now decide the scope of military support for Saudi Arabia amid ongoing Iran-backed Houthi attacks on the kingdom.

Latest News

Explainer

Arab parties' backing gives Eisenkot edge over Netanyahu for PM: What to know

Tomer Neuberg / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Massie renews Hegseth impeachment push as GOP blames Iran war for midterm losses

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testifies during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, on July 21, 2026, in Washington.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Can Erdogan’s Baku visit fix Turkey-Azerbaijan rift?

TOFIK BABAYEV/AFP via Getty Images

Russia to provide Iran with 90 missile launchers as military ties grow: Reports

Russian Mil Mi-8 military helicopters fly over a joint Russian and Turkish convoy, northeastern Hasakeh province, Syria, Feb. 4, 2021.

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

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during the official dinner at the Palace of Brigades, as part of the Western Balkans summit on European Union integration, Tirana, Albania, Oct. 16, 2023.

France’s Macron denounces first Hamas video of French-Israeli Gaza hostage

Hamas published a first video showing one of the hostages currently held in Gaza — French-Israeli Mia Shem.

Two MV-22B Ospreys of the USMC take part in training during the joint Israeli-US military "Juniper Cobra" exercise at the Tze'elim urban warfare training centre (UWTC) base in southern Israel on March 12, 2018.

Iran’s Khamenei threatens US as Pentagon readies 2,000 troops for region

The Pentagon has ordered some 2,000 US military personnel readied to respond to the fallout of Israel’s war in Gaza and extended the deployment of the USS Ford carrier strike group.

Israeli soldiers deploy near the border with Gaza on October 17, 2023. US President Joe Biden will visit Israel on October 18 in a show of "ironclad" support as Washington tries to prevent the escalating war against Hamas in Gaza from spilling into a wider Middle East conflict. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Distrusting Netanyahu, US takes oversight role in Israel's Hamas war

The two visits to Israel by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, another by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and the expected arrival on Wednesday of President Joe Biden reflect American concerns over the outbreak of a regional war.

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

children in hospital

Day 11 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Tuesday, Oct. 17

Eleven days into the fighting between Israel and Hamas, nearly 1 million are now displaced in Gaza as rocket barrages continue in the direction of Israel and the Israeli bombardment intensifies on the enclave.

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at Tioga Marine Terminal on October 13, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Biden discussed how his Bidenomics agenda is creating good-paying union jobs, investing in infrastructure, accelerating the transition to a clean energy future, and combatting the climate crisis.(Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)

Biden to visit Israel as US pushes humanitarian corridor for Gaza

Washington appears to have bought more time for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, but US officials say they are not placing conditions on weapons delivered to Israel nor dictating to the IDF on its operational plans.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken walks into a building with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu speaks with UAE president in first call with Arab leader since Hamas attack

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the first Arab leader with whom Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.

A Palestinian van carrying a family and their belongings arrives at the Rafah refugee camp, in the southern Gaza Strip on Oct. 15, 2023.

European Union launches humanitarian air bridge for Gazans via Egypt

The European Union will start sending humanitarian aid for displaced Gaza residents, including shelters, medicines and hygiene kits.

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (R) and Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan shake hands after a joint press conference in Cairo on October 14, 2023. (Photo by Ahmed HASAN / AFP) (Photo by AHMED HASAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey’s Fidan calls Hamas leader, Israeli hostages in Gaza discussed

The phone call comes after the Turkish president said last week that his government was working intensively with all parties for the release of the hostages.

DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images

Funeral held for Palestinian-American boy killed in Illinois hate crime

Hatred and violence toward Muslims and Jews is rising in the West as the Israel-Hamas war reverberates around the world.

Mahmoud Khaled/Getty Images

UN says over 43% of Gaza residents now displaced as Rafah talks stall

Convoys of humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip are stuck on the Egyptian border.

JACQUELYN MARTIN/AFP via Getty Images

Back in Israel, Blinken tries to reach a deal on opening Gaza's Rafah crossing

On a second visit in four days, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.

EYAD BABA/AFP via Getty Images

Day 10 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Monday, Oct.

Ten days into the fighting between Israel and Hamas, nearly 1 million are now displaced in Gaza as rocket barrages continue in the direction of Israel and the Israeli bombardment intensifies on the enclave.