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Politics & Security

US President Donald Trump speaks alongside Secretary of state Marco Rubio during a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 27, 2026.

As US and Iran near deal, Trump confronts familiar dilemma

It's unclear whether President Donald Trump will take the off-ramp as fellow Republicans rail against an interim deal that wouldn't immediately address Iran's nuclear program.

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese area of al-Hosh, near the coastal city of Tyre on May 16, 2026.

Lebanon-Israel talks at Pentagon undercut by escalation: What to know

The Lebanese army is expected to press for the full implementation of the ceasefire with Israel during military-level talks at the Pentagon, to allow it to carry out its plan to disarm Hezbollah.

Ibrahim AMRO / AFP via Getty Images

Israel strikes Lebanon's capital Beirut for first time in 3 weeks: What to know

According to Israeli media, Ali al-Husseini, the commander of the missile unit in the Imam Hussein Division, a brigade affiliated with Iran’s Quds Force that operates alongside Hezbollah, was the target of the attack.

Latest News

Trump threatens to 'blow up' Oman as US-Iran talks stall

Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi (L) and US President Donald Trump pose during a summit on Gaza in Sharm el-Sheikh on October 13, 2025.

With Hungary’s ICC U-turn, Israel loses a key European ally

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, (R) shakes hands with Viktor Orban, Hungary's prime minister, during a news conference on April 3, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.

Iraq’s Sadr moves to place his militia under state control: What to know

Iraqis walk past portraits of Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, including one on a banner calling for a boycott of the upcoming parliamentary elections in Sadr City, east of Baghdad on October 29, 2025. Parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held in Iraq on 11 November 2025, which will determine the 329 members of Iraq's Council of Representatives, who are responsible for electing the country's president and approving the appointment of the prime minister. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP) (Photo by

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

A university student crosses the border from Ukraine by foot in Barabas, Hungary, on Feb. 28, 2022.

Returning Egyptians share nightmares of fleeing war in Ukraine

Egyptian students who fled the Russian war in Ukraine recount the details of their repatriation.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog (L) stands next to his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, after a press conference, Ankara, Turkey, March 9, 2022.

Hamas fears setback in warming of Israel-Turkey ties

Hamas worries that an Israel-Turkey rapprochement could affect the movement’s presence and activities in Turkey.

Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

How Erdogan could emerge stronger from war in Ukraine

Senior bureaucrats believe Erdogan will "wipe the opposition off the table" in next year's elections, excelling as he does in every major crisis.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (R) shakes hands with Hamas political director Khaled Meshaal before their meeting, Moscow, Russia, Feb. 27, 2007.

Hamas keeps quiet on Russian war in Ukraine

Hamas is keen on keeping mum about Russia’s war on Ukraine, following lessons learned from the Arab Spring.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (L) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shake hands.

Turkey, Germany extend call to Russia for cease-fire

During German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s first visit to Ankara, both leaders maintain that they want to help Ukraine defend itself while seeking a diplomatic solution.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Libyan GNU Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah.

Three challenging scenarios for Turkey in Libya

Turkey could face tough choices in Libya unless the power struggle between the two rival governments is resolved, including military intervention should the eastern-backed prime minister attempt to enter Tripoli by force.

A human chain is formed by workers from the civil society, humanitarian aid, and medical and rescue services.

Analysis

Ukraine war stirs fears Russia could weaponize Syria aid

As Russia wages war in Ukraine, concerns are mounting that Moscow will use its UN Security Council veto powers to dismantle what remains of cross-border aid operations into Syria.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

MARZIEH SOLEIMANI/IRNA/AFP via Getty Images

Iran credits Russia with 'constructive' role in nuclear talks despite holdups

Iran is downplaying last-minute demands from Russia and blaming the United States for delays in the nuclear talks.

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Citizenship law deepens rift between Israel's Arab parties

The Joint List was hoping to use the vote on the controversial citizenship Law to embarrass its rival Muslim coalition party Ra’am.

Shlomi Amsalem/GPO

Israel vows country won’t become safe haven for sanctioned Russian oligarchs

Speaking at a press conference in Slovakia, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid stated that Russia won’t be able to bypass Western sanctions through Israel.

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images

Islamic State mines kill truffle hunters in Syrian desert

The country's economic collapse and widespread poverty have driven residents to risk their lives to make a living in the desert near Deir ez-Zor.

Refugees

Another repatriation flight brings Egyptians stuck in Ukraine home

Thousands of Egyptian students were in Ukraine at the start of the Russian invasion. The conflict has forced many to flee to other eastern European states.