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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

President Joe Biden speaks on the terrorist attacks in Israel.

Blinken to visit Israel in show of support after unprecedented Hamas attack

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to arrive Thursday in Israel for meetings with senior Israeli leaders.

sraeli soldiers take positions near the Israeli military base of Har Dov on Mount Hermon, a strategic and fortified outpost at the crossroads between Israel, Lebanon, and Syria, on October 10, 2023. Israeli strikes on Lebanon killed three Hezbollah members on October 10 amid surging tensions after Palestinian militants tried to infiltrate Israel from Lebanon, in an escalation on Israel's northern border two days after Hamas militants launched an unprecedented attack on the country's southern flank from the

Explainer: As Lebanon-Israel border heats up, 3 armed groups stand out

Several Palestinian militants are active in southern Lebanon, a stronghold of the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement.

Israeli tanks leave the kibbutz of Kfar Aza in southern Israel after inspecting the area on the border with the Gaza Strip, on October 10, 2023. Israel pounded Hamas targets in Gaza on October 10 and said the bodies of 1,500 Islamist militants were found in southern towns recaptured by the army in gruelling battles near the Palestinian enclave. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel's Netanyahu has little choice but to launch Gaza ground operation

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu knows that a ground operation is highly risky and complicated, but might have no other options.

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

Explosions illuminate the sky during Israeli strikes on Gaza City on October 10, 2023. Israel said it recaptured Gaza border areas from Hamas as the war's death toll passed 3,000 on October 10, the fourth day of gruelling fighting since the Islamists launched a surprise attack. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP) (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images)

Day 4 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Tuesday, Oct. 10

This photograph taken on May 24, 2023 shows the US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford cruising near Jeloya island, in Moss, south of Oslo. The ship is the world's largest warship and will be in port in Oslo for four days. Russia's embassy in Norway on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 hashly criticised the visit by the US aircraft carrier to Oslo as an "illogical and harmful" show of force. (Photo by Terje Pedersen / NTB / AFP) / Norway OUT (Photo by TERJE PEDERSEN/NTB/AFP via Getty Images)

Pentagon warns Iran, Hezbollah to stay out of Hamas war with Israel

The Biden administration deployed an aircraft carrier strike group in a bid to deter a multi-front war against Israel, but lack of a formal defense treaty with Israel and Congressional authorities could inhibit Washington's ability to respond.

Palestinians look for survivors under the rubble of a house destroyed by an Israeli air strike in Rafah.

Gaza under siege braces for worst as Israel-Hamas fighting escalates

The Israeli airstrikes and decision to cut off water and power supply to the already besieged Gaza Strip have the residents on edge.

DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey’s Erdogan says ‘first phase’ of Syria operation has concluded

The Turkish president also said the first phase of Turkey’s ongoing operations against outlawed Kurdish militants and dominant Syrian Kurdish groups was concluded.

President Joe Biden speaks on the terrorist attacks in Israel.

At least 11 Americans dead in Hamas attack on Israel, Biden says

Other Americans are still missing and could be among the scores of hostages taken into Gaza, the White House said.

Amir Levy/Getty Images

Day 3 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Monday, Oct. 9

On the third day of our live coverage, Israel called up reservists and was preparing for a ground offensive into the Gaza Strip.

Peter Nicholls/Getty Images

Foreigners from at least 25 countries killed or missing in Israel-Hamas war

At least 25 countries across Europe, Asia and the Americas have confirmed their citizens were killed or are captive or missing following Hamas' unprecedented incursion into Israel.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses a protest rally against the recent killings of Palestinian protesters on the Gaza-Israel border and the US Embassy move to Jerusalem, in Istanbul, May 18, 2018.

Turkey's Erdogan strikes moderate stance as Israel-Hamas war rages

Turkey's Erdogan is striking a neutral stance in the Gaza conflict, avoiding incendiary rhetoric that would derail his charm offensive with the West and offering to mediate between Israel and Hamas.

Lebanese soldiers and bystanders stand on a road overlooking the border area with the northern Israeli town of Metulla (background), Oct. 9, 2023.

Lebanon in state of alert amid Israel-Hezbollah border tension

The Iran-backed Hezbollah movement and Israel traded fire in southern Lebanon, as the Hamas-Israel war is escalating.

Beatrice Farhat

By Beatrice Farhat

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict