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May 16, 2026

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An undated image released by the Justice Department shows Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi (R) speaking with Iranian Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US strike in 2020.

Iraqi militia leader in US custody after arrest: What to know

Authorities said the individual is linked to a mysterious pro-Iran group that has been claiming attacks on Jewish communities in Europe.

trump xi

Analysis

Why China didn’t hand Trump a breakthrough on Iran

Trump's landmark three-day visit to China — the first for a US president since 2017 — included plenty of fanfare, flattery and awkward selfies but failed to produce deals or breakthroughs on Iran.

Joyce Karam

By Rosaleen Carroll , Joyce Karam

talks

Lebanon-Israel ceasefire extended 45 days as US opens security talks

The Pentagon will host Israeli and Lebanese military delegations for a round of separate security talks later this month.

US President Donald Trump talks to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as he departs the Al Bateen Executive Airport on May 15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Analysis

‘A reckless act’: Netanyahu sparks UAE fury by claiming secret visit

Just as UAE-Israeli relations were deepening through cooperation against Iran, the Israeli prime minister publicly embarrassed Abu Dhabi by revealing his March visit.

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

Latest News

Trump’s Gaza plan stalls as Hamas resists disarmament

President Donald Trump speaks in front of the American flag to the press as he departs the White House on May 12, 2026, in Washington, DC.

Israel's Netanyahu suing New York Times over column on Palestinian rape

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

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

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

Joyce Karam

Editor-in-Chief

Rosaleen Carroll

News Reporter and Supporting Editor

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Paul J. Saunders

In Washington, DC, reporting on Russia in the Middle East

Saudis trumpet Trump

Saudi Arabia gives US President Donald Trump the fully rolled out red carpet treatment in hopes of getting heightened US action against Iran.

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (2-L) welcomes U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and first lady Melania Trump as they arrive aboard Air Force One at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia May 20, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - RTX36OP5

Is Trump holding a Russian card in the Middle East?

Trump visit launches new US-Saudi partnership, but the endgame in the Middle East still depends on Moscow and Tehran.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and U.S President Donald Trump deliver statements to reporters in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, U.S. May 16, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RTX363IZ

How two clerics topped agenda of Erdogan-Trump meeting

Turkey's Protestant community fears that Ankara could use an imprisoned American pastor as a bargaining chip to press for the extradition of Pennsylvania-based Turkish preacher Fethullah Gulen.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers a statement to reporters alongside U.S President Donald Trump after their meeting at the White House in Washington, U.S. May 16, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RTX363JM

Why Erdogan's US visit will only create more problems for Turkey

The expectation that Erdogan and Trump will get along because they share dominant personality traits backfired, as Erdogan concluded the shortest international meeting in his 15-year political history.

U.S. President Donald Trump waits to greet Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos in the White House in Washington, DC, U.S., May 18, 2017. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas - RTX36HA1

Who expects more of Trump visit, Israelis or Palestinians?

During Donald Trump’s visit, Israel wants him to realize wide right-wing objection to the two-state solution, while Palestinians expect that Trump would agree to launch shuttle diplomacy toward negotiations.

Police secure the street outside the Turkish embassy during a visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on May 16, 2017 in Washington, DC.
Earlier, after Erdogan had met US President Donald Trump at the White House, the Turkish leader's security detail had clashed with pro-Kurdish protesters, leaving at least eight people wounded, one of them critically. / AFP PHOTO / Dave Clark (Photo credit should read DAVE CLARK/AFP/Getty Images)

McCain reacts to DC brawl: Throw Turkey's ambassador 'the hell out'

Calls are growing in Washington for a serious response to the violent behavior of the Turkish president's security detail as a high-level investigation opens and a prominent senator speaks out.

American and Israeli flags flutter in the wind atop the roof of the King David Hotel, in preparation for the upcoming visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to Israel, in Jerusalem May 17, 2017. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RTX36DS2

How Trump's upcoming visit is connecting Israelis and Palestinians

The May 22 visit of President Donald Trump pushes Israelis and Palestinians into greater cooperation, driving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to decide on a package of economic incentives for the Palestinians.

Did Erdogan leave Trump meeting empty-handed?

After the meeting between the Turkish and US presidents, it seems that the two country's diplomatic problems will continue, but there could be some slight improvements in military cooperation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a discussion about the Report of the State Comptroller for Operation Protective Edge at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem April 19, 2017 REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RTS12VXD

Would Israel's Knesset support a Trump Mideast deal?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cannot claim that his coalition will fall apart if he supports a peace initiative by President Donald Trump.

A ballistic missile is launched and tested in an undisclosed location, Iran, March 9, 2016. REUTERS/Mahmood Hosseini/TIMA ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. NOT FOR USE BY REUTERS THIRD PARTY DISTRIBUTORS. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO

Trump waives nuclear sanctions but slaps Iran on missiles, human rights

The Trump administration sanctioned seven new entities for their alleged role in Iran’s ballistic missile program even as it complied with the letter of the nuclear deal.

DC treated to Turkish-style crackdown on pro-Kurdish demonstrators

In a replay of last year's violence, the Turkish president's security detail was filmed beating up peaceful Syrian Kurdish protesters in Washington.

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) welcomes Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S. May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - RTS14ZK3

What Abbas hopes to achieve from Trump's Palestine visit

Ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to the West Bank, the Palestinian leadership is satisfied with its choice of strategy, consisting of opening communication channels with the new Trump administration and avoiding tensions on the ground.