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Politics & Security

Men gather around the husk of a destroyed pickup truck that was driven by a local shepherd who was reportedly struck by Israeli forces and buried by locals at a grave nearby, in the Najaf desert in southwestern Iraq, on May 12, 2026.

What we know about secret Israeli bases in Iraq

Iraqi authorities have said there are no longer any hostile forces operating in its territory.

TOPSHOT - Smoke rises from the direction of an energy installation in the Gulf emirate of Fujairah on March 14, 2026. Smoke could be seen rising from the direction of a major UAE energy installation on March 14, in what appeared to be the latest strike targeting the Gulf's petroleum facilities hours after the US struck Iran's Kharg Island. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images) /

UAE's Barakah nuclear plant fully operational after first such strike in Gulf

Emirati officials have vowed that the country’s energy ambitions will not be impacted by the strike, which was the first on a nuclear facility in the Gulf since the war began, adding that they have the right to respond to the attack.

United Arab Emirates

AFP via Getty Images

Exclusive

Majority of attacks on Saudi Arabia carried out by pro-Iran militias in Iraq

Since Feb. 28, most attacks on the kingdom have originated in Iraq and been attributed to Iran-backed Shiite militias, according to regional officials and Iraqi sources.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

A tugboat guides the Russian oil tanker Anatoly Kolodkin as it arrives at the oil terminal in the port of Matanzas, northwestern Cuba, on March 31, 2026.

US extends Russian oil sanctions waiver as Iran war squeezes supply

The waiver temporarily lifts sanctions on Russian oil for 30 days.

Latest News

Israel accredits Somaliland's first ambassador: What to know

Somaliland’s first ambassador to a foreign country formally, Mohamed Hagi, presented his diplomatic credentials in Jerusalem to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, on May 18, 2026.

Iran confiscates assets of 129 alleged ‘traitors’ in West Azerbaijan province

Amid FARAHI / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Why Turkey sees opportunity in Hormuz crisis to boost Middle Corridor

Ships navigate the Bosphorus Strait on May 02, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. Since the outbreak of the US-Israeli war against Iran, forcing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and together with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, global shipping routes have been severely impacted. Soaring shipping costs, lengthening delivery times and less efficient routes have seen increased pressure on energy markets and supply chains worldwide. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

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

Israeli police confront protesters during ongoing demonstrations in Tel Aviv on March 23, 2023, against controversial legal reforms being touted by the country's hard-right government. - Israel's ruling coalition presented an amended version of a key element in its contentious judicial overhaul, in hopes of allaying concerns at home and abroad for Israeli democracy. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

'Day of paralysis' in Israel, as Knesset adopts anti-impeachment law

Organizers of the anti-judicial overhaul plan are expecting half a million demonstrators today across Israel, rallying, blocking roads and marching through cities.

Israeli Arab men take part in a protest after a student was killed in a reported police shootout this week, in the northern Arab-Israeli town of Umm-Al Fahem on February 5, 2021. - Hundreds of Arab Israelis demonstrated protesters defied coronavirus restrictions on gatherings to demonstrate in front of the police station in the Arab-Israeli city of Umm al-Fahm. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP) (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Gun violence soaring in Israel's Arab community, as government cuts funding

After boasting in his election campaign that his primary goal in the Knesset would be curbing violence and crime, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has already cut funding for such programs in the Arab community.

Libya embassy

Biden admin 'actively' working to reopen US Embassy in Libya

The US has lacked a permanent diplomatic mission in Libya since heavy fighting forced American diplomats to withdraw in 2014.

Turkey's Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman and presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu (C).

Turkey’s pro-Kurdish party won’t field challenger to Erdogan, boosting opposition’s chances

The pro-Kurdish HDP announced that it will not field a candidate in the May 14 presidential elections and will run under the banner of the Green Left Party to circumvent a potential closure and political ban that it faces.

MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP via Getty Images

10 soldiers killed in Yemen as fighting with Houthis resumes in Marib

The fighting in oil-rich Marib is disrupting renewed efforts to end the Yemeni war amid the cautious optimism that has followed the Saudi-Iranian deal.

JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon police clashes with retired soldiers trying to storm government HQ

The Lebanese army is suffering from desertions and police have joined the wider public in protesting amid the ongoing crisis.

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman speaks during a meeting to acknowledge the signing of key cooperation agreements between the United States and New Zealand at Parliament on August 09, 2022 in Wellington, New Zealand. The US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman is visiting New Zealand as part of a week-long trip across the Pacific. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

US summons Israeli ambassador as law restraining settlers rescinded

After condemning anti-Palestinian statements by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the State Department slammed the Israeli government over rolling back parts of the 2005 disengagement law.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (L) talks with China's President Xi Jinping (R), ahead of the Belt and Road Forum, in Beijing on May 13, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / JASON LEE (Photo credit should read JASON LEE/AFP via Getty Images)

Pakistan sees opportunities, questions in China's Iran-Saudi deal

Having often been caught in the middle between the rivals, Pakistan is looking forward to calmer Saudi-Iran relations and reaping economic benefits through its partner, China.

A picture taken on February 19, 2020, shows a general view of the airport of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo upon the relaunch of commercial flights. (Photo by - / AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel strikes Syria’s Aleppo airport for second time in two weeks

The reported strike follows increased Israeli military planning against Iran, and comes in midst of Arab openness to the Assad government

MICHAEL VARAKLAS/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey, Greece take strides in Ankara meeting as aid diplomacy continues

A meeting of senior Turkish and Greek diplomats in Ankara is the latest diplomatic contact spurred by post-disaster diplomacy, and the fourth meeting of the “Positive Agenda” initiative.

Muharrem Ince.

18 contenders jump into Turkey's two-horse presidential race to unseat Erdogan

While voting will be between incumbent Recep Tayyip Erdogan and challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu, May’s election will see a colorful assortment of would-be presidents.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R).

Turkey, Iraq laud cooperation, but major disagreements remain

Sudani on his first visit to Ankara, stressed the importance of Iraq’s sovereignty in the two countries' fight against terrorism.