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Politics & Security

Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel, speaks to the media at CHP headquarters on May 22, 2026, in Ankara, Turkey.

Analysis

Erdogan’s CHP move raises early poll prospects as Iran war bleeds Turkey’s economy

A court move targeting Turkey’s main opposition party, combined with mounting economic pressure linked to the Iran conflict, is raising expectations of an early vote that could extend President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s rule.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

As Pakistan military chief holds Iran talks, Israel's Netanyahu fears being left out

US President Donald Trump's comment that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would do "whatever I want” is troubling the premier's inner circle ahead of the elections in October.

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

This photograph taken during a press tour organised by the Lebanese army shows Lebanese soldiers standing atop military vehicles in Alma Al-Shaab, near the border with Israel in southern Lebanon, on Nov. 28, 2025.

Lebanon’s military hits back at US sanctions, says loyalty 'solely to the nation'

Lebanon’s army and General Security stressed that their members remain loyal state institutions, responding to US sanctions that for the first time targeted security officers for alleged ties to Hezbollah.

Burak Kara/Getty Images

Ireland joins EU push to ban trade with Israeli settlements amid flotilla backlash

European frustration with Israel intensified this week after a far-right Israeli minister posted a video of the mistreatment of international activists detained in the country.

Latest News

Live Updates

Iran talks see momentum as Pakistani officials visit Tehran

This handout photo released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry on April 25, 2026 shows Pakistan's Army Chief and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir (R) meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi upon his arrival in Islamabad. US envoys headed to the Pakistani capital on April 25 in a bid to kickstart a new round of peace negotiations with Iran amid a fragile ceasefire, though the prospect of direct talks remained uncertain. (Photo by Iranian Foreign Ministry / AFP via Getty Images) / XGTY / RESTRICTED TO E

In first, US sanctions Lebanon military, intel officials for aiding Hezbollah

Israeli soldiers react after taking cover near the Israel-Lebanon border following a Hezbollah drone attack that hit the northern border on May 19, 2026. The Israeli military on May 19 warned residents of 12 towns and villages in southern Lebanon to immediately evacuate ahead of expected attacks against Hezbollah, the latest despite a ceasefire. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP via Getty Images)

US, Iran trade mixed signals on enriched uranium as Tehran weighs response

Iranians drive next to a billboard displaying pictures of nuclear scientists, centrifuges and a sentence reading in Farsi " Science is the power," at the Enqelab Square in Tehran, on Aug. 29, 2025.

Feature

With sanctions off, what’s keeping Syria on US terror blacklist?

TOPSHOT - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) meets with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York City on September 22, 2025. (Photo by Bing Guan / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

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

Iran strike

US military in touch with Saudi Arabia over threat from Iran

Pentagon officials would not corroborate a Saudi report of a potential imminent attack from Iran on Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

Iranians drive past a huge billboard showing a montage of pictures titled "The women of my land, Iran."

Iran forces fire at protesting homes in west Tehran

The raid and death threats behind loudspeakers shook the middle-class neighborhood where residents have been chanting anti-government slogans from windows.

Former Israeli Prime Minister and Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu cast their vote in the Israeli general election on November 1, 2022 in UNSPECIFIED, Israel. Israelis return to the polls on November 1 for a fifth general election in four years to vote for a new Knesset, the 120-seat parliament. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)

Netanyahu set to make a comeback, Israel exit polls suggest

Initial exit polls offer opposition head Benjamin Netanyahu's camp a majority in the Knesset, with either 61 or 62 seats out of 120.

Iraqi Prime Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with his Cabinet on Oct. 28, 2022, in Baghdad.

Iraq-Iran ties likely to improve under new Iraqi PM

Iran played a key role in helping form the new Iraqi government.

OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey seeks to coax Russia back into Ukraine grain deal

Russian and Ukrainian monitors have reportedly suspended the inspections required by a grain-exportation deal that Moscow insists is unfairly benefitting Kyiv.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal are seen voting in the general elections, Jerusalem, Nov. 1 2022.

In Israel, high voting rates by noon at general elections

Israelis might be tired and fed up with the fifth election round in less than four years, but according to reports so far many of them are going to the polling stations to vote today.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Palestinians rally for gas field access

Hamas quiet as Palestinian Authority plans to develop Gaza marine gas field

The Palestinian government is expected to conclude an agreement with an Egyptian company to develop the Gaza Marine gas field and start extracting gas from it by the end of the year.

Ships, including those carrying grain from Ukraine and awaiting inspections, are seen anchored off the Istanbul coastline on Oct. 14, 2022, in Istanbul, Turkey.

Turkey calls on Russia to reconsider Ukraine ‘grain deal’ suspension

The Russian personnel stationed at a coordination center set up for the Ukraine grain deal in Istanbul have yet to leave their posts, Turkey says, calling on Moscow to resume the deal.

Iraqi parliament in Baghdad.

Iraq's new government outlines priorities

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani faces multiple challenges and constituencies to move his agenda.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan holds a press conference at the NATO Summit on June 30, 2022, in Madrid, Spain.

Turkey blasts Sweden ahead of NATO chief's visit to appease Erdogan

Sweden's steps to gain Erdogan's approval appear not to have "cut the ice" thus far.

Ed Ram/Getty Images

Tajikistan, Uzbekistan deny assembling Iranian drones used in Ukraine

An interview between a Ukrainian journalist and a Russian Israeli oligarch led to the diplomatic incident.

President Ebrahim Raisi (R) kisses the Koran in the presence of Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejeie.

Iran judiciary calls for end to protests

Iran’s judiciary chief is the latest official to call for an end to protests.