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Politics & Security

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets Libyan National Army Deputy Commander Saddam Haftar in Washington on June 29, 2026.

Rubio hosts Libya’s Saddam Hifter as US pushes unity plan: What to know

The pair discussed "possible avenues for cooperation" to advance Libya's unification.

KAREN MINASYAN / AFP via Getty Images

Turkey, Azerbaijan slam Israel’s Armenian genocide recognition as Yerevan mum

Ankara accused Israel of weaponizing history as Armenia avoided public comment amid delicate regional diplomacy.

French President Emmanuel Macron (L) and Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tarik pose during a meeting with business leaders in Paris on June 29, 2026.

Oman's sultan meets Macron in first France visit since 1989: What to know

French President Emmanuel Macron has been pushing against any form of toll for the Strait of Hormuz.

aqi security personnel patrol in a vehicle along a street in Baghdad on June 28, 2026.

Analysis

Iraqi PM’s anti-corruption drive comes as US pressure mounts on Iran-backed militias

Iraq’s new prime minister has launched a sweeping anti-corruption campaign ahead of key talks in Washington, but analysts say the real test will be whether it reaches Iraq’s most powerful Iran-backed actors.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Latest News

CENTCOM chief in Lebanon as Israel prepares partial withdrawal steps

CENTCOM

Saudi Arabia's FM heads to China amid differences with US on Iran war

PEDRO PARDO/AFP via Getty Images

Syria slams Israeli 'violations' in south as ground clashes intensify: What to know

A car drives past an United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) outpost in the village of Khan Arnabah, Quneitra, southern Syria, April 29, 2026.

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

Palestinian Hamas fighters carry their guns in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip as preparations take place for the release of three Israeli hostages, as part of the seventh hostage-prisoner swap on Feb. 22, 2025.

Analysis

What will it take to disarm Hamas?

Hamas could be open to a compromise that requires it to surrender “offensive” weapons only.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

An undated image of the Houthis’ military chief of staff, Maj. Gen. Muhammad Abd Al-Karim al-Ghamari.

Israel claims responsibility for killing Houthi military chief in strike: What to know

Following the announcement of Ghamari’s death, the Houthis appointed Maj. Gen. Yusuf Hassan al-Madani as his successor.

General view of the Rafah Border Crossing on Oct. 9, 2025 in Rafah, Egypt.

Rafah reopening in limbo as Israel accuses Hamas of delaying return of hostages’ remains

Delays by Hamas in returning hostage remains are complicating Israel’s reopening of the Rafah crossing and could stall the next steps of the US-mediated ceasefire.

WAKIL KOHSAR/AFP via Getty Images

Fearing fallout, Iran calls for cohesion amid shaky Afghanistan-Pakistan truce

The Islamic Republic is particularly concerned about the presence of the Islamic State-Khorasan branch in Afghanistan.

This picture taken on March 12, 2020 shows a view of oil production facilities at the Omar oil field in the eastern Syrian Deir Ezzor province.

Suspected ISIS attack kills four oil workers in eastern Syria: What to know

At least four people were killed and nine others injured by an explosive device near a bus carrying oil facility guards.

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 31: Members of the British Royal Navy walk near helicopters parked aboard HMS Prince of Wales, the navy's flagship aircraft carrier, during a public ship tour at the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal on August 31, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan. The aircraft carrier was opened to the public in connection with the UK Carrier Strike Group's (CSG) port call in Tokyo. The group has been in Japan since August 12 for joint training exercises. (Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)

Turkey deepens Europe defense ties with UK aircraft deal, German security talks

Turkey-European defense cooperation is deepening as Ankara finalizes a military transport deal with the UK and prepares for high-level defense talks with Germany.

Members of the internal security forces loyal to the Palestinian group Hamas, man a checkpoint in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, on Oct. 12, 2025.

US military says Hamas must 'immediately' halt violence as crackdown targets rivals

The US wants Egyptian and Qatari mediators to rein in Hamas amid skirmishes with rivals and evidence of extrajudicial killings in Gaza.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Under Western pressure, Iran turns to non-aligned bloc for backing in Uganda

Iran’s engagement with the movement comes amid its growing isolation from Western powers.

Gaza

Exclusive

Turkey readies Gaza rescue crews pending final dispatch decision

The dispatch of Turkish search and rescue crews remains pending coordination with other countries and final approval in Ankara.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO/AFP via Getty Images

Even as Putin shields Assad, Syria’s Sharaa seeks to 'redefine' Moscow ties

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in Moscow in a visit overshadowed by the presence of ousted President Bashar al-Assad in Russia and Moscow’s attempts to maintain its military presence in Syria.