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Politics & Security

Ahmed al-Alwani in an undated photo

Ex-Iraqi MP Ahmed Alwani found dead in Lebanon: What to know

Ahmed al-Alwani was a prominent leader of anti-government protests by Iraqi Sunnis in 2013, and was released from prison last year.

Iranian-made Zolfaghar missiles

Iran unveils new underground 'missile city': What to know

Iran has moved much of its missile stockpile underground as the threat of a new war looms.

OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey bars MP’s wife from travel after his fund scandal criticism: What to know

Opposition politicians and rights advocates described Yonca Verdioglu Sik’s brief detention as an attempt to intimidate her husband, opposition lawmaker Ahmet Sik, over his criticism of the government.

ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images

GCC to build military command center in Kuwait as region simmers: What to know

GCC countries have stepped up their joint defense efforts with the announcement of a new forward command center to be headquartered in Kuwait, as tensions between Iran and the US continue to escalate.

Latest News

Hegseth strikes defiant tone, calls House impeachment process 'farce'

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Explainer

From Oct. 7 inquiry to blocking Netanyahu: Eisenkot's bloc maps out Knesset agenda

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) casts his ballot, next to his wife Sara

Slotkin, Van Hollen emerge as potential challengers to Schumer’s Senate leadership

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 23: U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) speaks at a press conference on China AI export controls at the U.S. Capitol on September 23, 2026 in Washington, DC. Slotkin, joined by fellow Senate Democrats, urged Senate Republican's and the Trump administration to enact stronger export controls on AI technology and computer chips to China. The Democrats also call for a vote on bipartisan export control legislation, including the AI OVERWATCH Act, the MATCH Act, and the Chip Security Act. (

Massie introduces impeachment articles against Hegseth over Iran war

SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images

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

This general view shows the site of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in Guba, Ethiopia, Feb. 19, 2022.

As negotiations falter, Ethiopia begins third-stage filling of Nile dam

Egyptian reports revealed that Ethiopia has begun the third round of water collection behind Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

Fighters affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham inspect the site of a reported drone attack that targeted a motorcycle on the eastern edge of the rebel-held Idlib province, Syria, early June 28, 2022.

Syrian government, Russia escalate attacks in Idlib amid looming Turkish operation

Syrian and Russian forces are intensifying their bombing campaign in Syria’s Idlib before the tripartite summit between the Russian, Turkish and Iranian leaders in Tehran, further worrying the Syrian factions.

Nile silt

Egypt refers illegal encroachments on Nile to military prosecution

The Egyptian government is addressing illegal Nile River dumping or diversions by sending suspects to military courts.

DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Islamic State continues to menace Iraqi-Syrian border

Security risks continue to fester in the mostly desert terrain between Iraq and Syria, where the Islamic State conducts brazen attacks even as its alleged leaders are reported killed.

An Egyptian actress gives an interview to a local TV channel before the start of a shooting on the set of "Murafaa" soap opera, Media City, Cairo, Egypt, Nov. 28, 2013.

Egypt to launch international news channel at COP27 climate conference

Egypt is seeking to restore its media influence in the Middle East and Africa.

US President Joe Biden takes notes while an usher serves coffee during the Jeddah Security and Development Summit (GCC+3) at a hotel in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah on July 16, 2022.

Live Updates: Biden at GCC summit in Saudi Arabia 'US is not going anywhere'

Follow along for the latest updates on the US president's trip to Israel, the West Bank and Saudi Arabia.

US President Joe Biden (C-L) takes part in a working session with Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (C-R) at the Al Salam Royal Palace in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah, on July 15, 2022.

Analysis

Biden visit to Israel a ‘mixed bag’ because of differences on Iran

Meeting between US and Palestinian presidents described as ‘warm’; UAE opts out of anti-Iran alliance; Biden agenda may include Saudi-American families banned from traveling.

Week in Review

By Week in Review

US President Joe Biden (C) is received by Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas (R) during a welcome ceremony at the Palestinian Muqataa Presidential Compound in the city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank on July 15, 2022.

Biden, Abbas look to reset US-Palestinian ties to pre-Trump era

The meeting between the US and Palestinian presidents was described as "warm," exceeding low expectations.

Meeting

Analysis

Families of Americans held in Saudi Arabia pin hopes on Biden visit

US families separated by punitive travel bans hope President Joe Biden will use his visit to secure the release of their loved ones.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Israel hails Saudi agreement to open skies to all airlines

Riyadh has decided to allow flights from Israel to cross Saudi airspace, significantly cutting flight times to the Far East.

AMER HILABI/AFP via Getty Images

Hope, despair in Yemen as Biden travels to Saudi Arabia

Ahead of the US president's Saudi trip, Yemenis are feeling a mixture of optimism and gloom about its likely benefits for them.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog, US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid at the opening of the Maccabiah Games, Teddy Stadium, Jerusalem, July 14, 2022.

Biden captures Israeli hearts

On the strategic level, the visit of US President Joe Biden to Israel generated mixed results, but on the level of image and intimacy, Biden captured the hearts of Israeli citizens.