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July 21, 2026

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Middle East Airlines aircraft sit on the tarmac at Beirut's Rafik Hariri airport on April 10, 2026. Smoke from an Israeli strike still lingered in the air as a plane from Lebanon's national carrier took off from Beirut airport, which has stayed open despite the latest war between Israel and Hezbollah. The country's only international passenger facility, whose departure boards are now largely red with cancellations, is located on the Mediterranean coast at the edge of Beirut's southern suburbs. (Photo by Anw

Breaking | Last Updated: July 21, 2026, 4:11 pm

Trump authorizes direct US flights to Lebanon after 4-decade halt

Direct flights between the United States and Lebanon have not been operational since 1985.

FILE PHOTO: A satellite view shows tunnel entrances at Pickaxe Mountain, of the Natanz nuclear facility, near Natanz, Iran, June 30, 2026. Vantor/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

Analysis

Israel draws line on Houthi attacks, hopes for Trump strike on Pickaxe Mountain

From the perspective of the Israeli military and some politicians, the current situation of the US striking at Iran and Israel staying out of the conflict is ideal.

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

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 21: U.S. President Donald Trump (L) greets President of Lebanon Joseph Aoun as he arrives at the White House on July 21, 2026 in Washington, DC. Aoun is visiting the White House on the final day of a four-day trip to Washington to discuss the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah as the Israeli military begins its first limited withdrawal from Lebanon following last month’s U.S.-brokered agreement. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Trump hosts Lebanon's Aoun, pledges 'concrete plans' toward Israeli withdrawal

President Joseph Aoun arrived in Washington over the weekend and is holding the first Oval Office meeting for a Lebanese head of state since 2009.

Latest News

Israel to withdraw from Lebanon’s pilot zones ahead of Aoun-Trump meeting

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department in Washington, DC, July 19, 2026.

Oil tops $90 as Iran warns Hormuz 'will not be safe'

Amir Hossein KHORGOOEI / ISNA / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

As Turkey eyes US naval revival, here is why big warship deals are unlikely

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, president of Turkey, greets Donald Trump, president of United States, during a welcome ceremony of allied heads of state and government, on July 8, 2026, in Ankara, Turkey.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

What Zaidi's Washington visit means for US investment in Iraq

US President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with Prime Minister of Iraq Ali al-Zaidi during a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, July 14, 2026.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

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

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

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during the 2017 "Congress of Tomorrow" Joint Republican Issues Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. January 26, 2017. REUTERS/Mark Makela - RTSXK0Z

British leader defends Iran deal in meetings with Republicans

British Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to urge Donald Trump not to mess with the nuclear deal after delivering the same message to congressional Republicans.

Incoming Trump administration cabinet secretary nominees including Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson (L-R), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director nominee Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary nominee James Mattis arrive for meetings at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House in Washington, U.S. January 13, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - RTX2YUEZ

How will Trump’s anti-Muslim Brotherhood inner circle view Qatar?

While Qatar’s support for groups such as Hamas has caused tense ties with the United States in the past, Donald Trump’s presidency could create even more challenges for Qatar.

U.S. President Donald Trump, flanked by Senior Advisor Jared Kushner (standing, L-R), Vice President Mike Pence and Staff Secretary Rob Porter welcomes reporters into the Oval Office for him to sign his first executive orders at the White House in Washington, U.S. January 20, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTSWLVK

Iranian conservative, Reformist media jointly lash out at Trump’s planned visa ban

Donald Trump’s reported decision to at least temporarily ban Iranians from entering the United States has angered Iranians, leading a prominent actress to boycott the upcoming Academy Awards. Meanwhile, Iranian media are warning the government to prepare for the new US administration’s other possibly punitive measures.

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Vice President Mike Pence (C) attend a ceremonial swearing-in for U.S. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly (L) at Homeland Security headquarters in Washington, U.S., January 25, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - RTSXCQV

Turkey holds applause for Trump's safe-zone promise

Turkey would still likely welcome a US-sponsored safe zone in rebel-held areas, but the new US president's pledge to order safe zones did not specify where in Syria they might be established.

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man stands in front of the U.S Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel January 24, 2017. REUTERS/Baz Ratner - RTSX3UD

Have the Palestinians blocked US Embassy move to Jerusalem?

Senior Palestinian officials believe that their restrained diplomatic approach through Jordanian and Egyptian channels helped suspend the relocation of the US Embassy to Jerusalem.

People walk past signs bearing the name of U.S. President-elect Republican Donald Trump in Tel Aviv, Israel November 14, 2016. REUTERS/Baz Ratner - RTX2TLRV

Does Trump's 'America First' approach bode ill for Israel?

It is unclear whether US President Donald Trump will see in his new isolationist strategy an interest for the United States to mediate between Israel and its neighbors.

An Iranian man holds a local newspaper displaying a portrait of Donald Trump a day after his election as the new US president, in the capital Tehran, on November 10, 2016.
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on November 9 there was "no possibility" of its nuclear deal with world powers being overturned by US president-elect Donald Trump despite his threat to rip it up.

/ AFP / ATTA KENARE (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)

Iranians believe Trump will violate nuclear deal

A new poll shows Iranian dissatisfaction with economic gains since the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action went into effect and apprehension about the policies of the new Trump administration.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters while signing executive orders at the White House in Washington January 24, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RTSX5NX

Trump follows predecessors in slowing Israel embassy move

Overshadowed by his unorthodox campaign promises, new US President Donald Trump, in his first days in office, has followed convention elsewhere in slowing down his pledge to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem.

Mohammad Alloush (C), the head of the Syrian opposition delegation, attends Syria peace talks in Astana, Kazakhstan January 23, 2017. REUTERS/Mukhtar Kholdorbekov - RTSWWYO

How are Syrian peace talks holding up?

There were no breakthroughs on the first day of negotiating between the Syrian regime and opposition representatives, but talks resumed this morning.

Donald Trump speaks during a news conference during the opening of the Trump Towers Mall in Istanbul April 20, 2012. REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY - Tags: BUSINESS REAL ESTATE) - RTR30Z7A

Is Ankara waking up to what Trump really represents?

Having vilified President Obama, President Erdogan and his supporters are realizing that ties under Trump may not turn out to be what they hope.

President-elect Donald Trump, left, and President Barack Obama arrive for Trump's inauguration ceremony at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S. January 20, 2017. REUTERS/J. Scott Applewhite/Pool TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTSWLA4

Iranians ponder Obama’s legacy with rise of Trump

Barack Obama’s departure from the White House leaves Iranians divided about his legacy, with some calling his presidency a "great opportunity for Iran that is now gone."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (C) meets with representatives of Palestinian political parties and movements in Moscow, Russia, January 16, 2017. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin - RTSVQQQ

Did Kerry plan's failure hand Putin the Middle East?

Russia has ignored the 2006 decision by the Quartet not to engage in contacts with Hamas until it renounces violence, suggesting another move by Moscow to fill the vacuum left by the United States in the region.