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Politics & Security

Mecca

In first, Saudi Arabia activates Mecca warning system amid Houthi threat

Saudi Arabia activated emergency alerts in the holy city of Mecca for the first time since Yemen's Houthi group intensified its drone and missile attacks on the kingdom.

Milak border crossing near the town of Zabol, Iran

Third Sunni cleric killed in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchistan Province: What to know

Iran says it is stepping up its crackdown on armed groups in the impoverished province as Sunni clerics have been reported killed there and in the predominantly Kurdish northwest.

Win McNamee/Getty Images

CENTCOM chief meets Saudi Arabia's MBS amid Houthi gains in Yemen

The low-profile meeting between the Pentagon's commander in the Middle East and Saudi crown prince comes as Yemen's Houthis seized the high ground overlooking a vital economic waterway.

People swim next to the Russian-flagged cargo ship OMSKIY-107, which was attacked off the Black Sea coast and eventually ran aground off the shore of the Sile district, Istanbul, Sept. 3, 2026.

Why Turkey has few options to protect Black Sea shipping

The Russia-Ukraine drone war is hitting Turkish commercial interests, exposing the limits of Ankara’s ability to protect shipping while remaining outside the conflict.

Latest News

Analysis

Once Netanyahu’s top challenger, Bennett loses ground to Eisenkot: What to know

Erik Marmor

Mazal Mualem

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

Analysis

What does Houthi advance mean for Yemen’s southern separatists?

Yemeni separatists

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Analysis

Houthi gains in Yemen are testing Saudi Arabia’s security strategy

boats and a container ship near the Strait of Bab al-Mandeb

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Iran, misreading Trump’s resolve, escalates conflict in Yemen ahead of US midterms

Supporters of the Iran-backed Houthi movement, arrive with their weapons to rally in solidarity with Iran and Lebanon, in Sanaa on April 8, 2026, following the announcement of a ceasefire in the Middle East war.

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

Syria Kurds

Pentagon's concerns grow as Syria's Kurds prepare for Turkish assault

Syrian Kurdish commander's plans to defend Kobani and Manbij have US military officials worried about security at prisons holding some 10,000 former IS fighters.

Iraq kurds

Iran's Khamenei tells Iraq to move against Kurdish groups

While Iraq has been unsettled by Iranian strikes on Kurdish groups, Tehran appeared adamant in its demand for their ouster from Iraqi soil.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Iran, Nov. 29, 2022.

Khamenei urges Iraqi PM to stand up to common 'enemies'

In meeting with Iranian president, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani also asks Iran to expand gas imports to meet electricity needs.

Boji, an Istanbul street dog takes a drink from bowls provided for stray animals inside the Kadikoy subway station before catching a train, Istanbul, Turkey, Oct. 21, 2021.

Killing of dog enflames Turkish animal lovers on issue that divides society

Video of animal shelter worker beating a dog to death leads to protests and questions over treatment of stray animals.

Syrian-Kurdish demonstrators take to the streets to protest against Turkey.

Could Syrian Kurdish issue facilitate Erdogan-Assad rapprochement?

Damascus’ low-key reaction to Turkey’s recent strikes on Syrian Kurdish targets suggests it might acquiesce to Turkish military moves that would contribute to ending the US military presence in the north.

Amir Levy/Getty Images

Netanyahu’s far right coalition putting Israel on collision course with Washington

To close the deal on a new government, opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu will need to accept demands from the far-right, which the Biden administration is likely to oppose.

DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Syrian Kurdish commander slams US response to Turkish attacks as US diplomats evacuated from Syria

The United States' top ally in Syria warned that unless Washington and the Kremlin push back more firmly Turkey will launch a ground offensive against his forces that will further undermine the battle against the Islamic State.

Turkey Syria

Escalating Turkish strikes cripple civilian infrastructure across northeast Syria

Since the launch of Operation Claw-Sword, Turkish strikes have widely targeted civilian and energy infrastructure, wreaking havoc and paralyzing economic life in northeast Syria.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Israel expands road linking Jerusalem to settlements

A new tunnel road will soon expand Route 60, which connects south Jerusalem to Jewish settlements around the city.

A general view taken on Nov. 24, 2022, shows the assembly during a special session of the UN Human Rights Council on the situation in Iran, at the United Nations in Geneva.

Iran denounces UN fact-finding mission

Iran has said it won't cooperate with a fact-finding mission by the UN Human Rights Council.

People watch a live broadcast of a televised debate in Istanbul.

Turkish fact-checkers shine light on misinformation as crucial elections approach

Teyit has been working for six years to interpret sometimes wild claims made in news media and online.

AFP via Getty Images

US urges Iran-backed Houthis to halt attacks on Yemen's ports

The warning to the Houthis comes as US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking returns to the region to push for peace between the country's warring sides.