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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

The launch of a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite from an orbiting spacecraft.

Israel, Azerbaijan announce landmark deal for sale of two satellites

Israel Aerospace Industries and Azeri space agency Azercosmos announced the signing of an agreement for the sale of two Israeli-developed satellites.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan looks on during a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly at the Lotte Palace Hotel in New York on September 22, 2023. (Photo by BING GUAN / POOL / AFP) (Photo by BING GUAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey's Fidan declares all PKK, YPG facilities in Syria, Iraq 'legitimate targets'

High-level and open threats by Turkey have ramped up fears of a fresh escalation in northern Syria between Turkish forces and Syrian Kurdish groups that Ankara deems terrorists.

TOW missile

US sells Oman $70 million worth of TOW antitank missiles

The Biden administration advanced the sale proposal even as Yemen's Houthis have engaged in peace talks in Saudi Arabia last month.

A refugee and her children waits at the Lachin checkpoint to leave Karabakh for Armenia, on Sept. 26, 2023.

Azerbaijan eyes Iran, Armenia borderlands after 'voluntary' exodus from Nagorno-Karabakh

The fall of the Nagorno-Karabakh government after 30 years could empower Turkey and weaken Iran.

A security forces member looks on during the burial of one of three Kurdish counterterrorism officers killed the previous day in a strike by a drone that had reportedly originated in Turkey, in the city of Sulaimaniyah in the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq on September 19, 2023. A senior military official in Baghdad said on September 19 that three members of the counterterrorism forces of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region were killed and three wounded in the strike on Arbat airfield, southeast of

Turkey expands crackdown, airstrikes against PKK as Erdogan lashes out at West

The Turkish Defense Ministry said 16 new targets, including caves, bunkers and warehouses in the northern Iraqi regions of Metina, Hakurk, Gara, Qandil and Assos, were destroyed in the strikes.

AFP via Getty Images

Iran's Khamenei calls Arab-Israel normalization push 'betting on losing horse'

The Iranian supreme leader's statement hinted at Iran's growing unease with recent Saudi moves toward reconciliation with Israel only months after Riyadh began its rapprochement with Tehran.

MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

US top diplomat to visit Israel, Saudi Arabia as normalization talks continue

The Israeli press has reported that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Israel, the West Bank, Saudi Arabia and Morocco in mid or late October to advance Israel-Saudi normalization.

US Army officers stand in front a US Patriot missile defense system during joint Israeli-US military exercise "Juniper Cobra" at the Hatzor airforce base, Israel, March 8, 2018.

Analysis

With Iran in mind, Israel's security brass warms to US defense pact

After years of objecting to a defense pact with the United States, seniors in the Israeli security establishment are increasingly coming around to the idea.

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

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Second Israeli minister 'received warmly' in Saudi Arabia amid normalization push

After the first Israeli official delegation and then a trip by Tourism Minister Haim Katz, Israel’s Communications Minister Shlomi Karhi is the latest Israeli minister to visit Saudi Arabia.

FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images

Does Ankara attack mark strategy shift for Turkey's PKK?

The attack inside Turkey has prompted worries over Washington's partnership with Syrian Kurds.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman (L).

Impact of India-Mideast-Europe corridor extends far beyond countering China

Police presence after the attack in Ankara, Turkey.

PKK claims bomb attack in Turkey’s capital that injured 2 police officers

The attack happened just as the parliament returned from recess and was expected to take on Sweden’s NATO bid.