Courts and the law

Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile launching system is displayed at the exposition field in Kubinka Patriot Park outside Moscow on Aug. 22, 2017 during the first day of the International Military-Technical Forum Army-2017.

Analysis

As Trump admin drops Halkbank case, S-400 last big hurdle in US-Turkey ties

The move eases a key source of friction with Turkey ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

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.

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

Hungary’s parliament voted to remain in the International Criminal Court, reversing a planned withdrawal and marking a shift in Budapest’s approach to Israel and the EU.

Ozgur Ozel

Majority in Turkey rejects court ruling ousting CHP’s Ozel, poll shows

A new poll shows a majority in Turkey rejects the court ruling that ousted main opposition leader Ozgur Ozel.

Turkish riot police use water cannon to disperse protesters during a rally called by ousted opposition leader Ozgur Ozel, days after a court dismissed him from office, in Izmir on May 26, 2026.

Turkey: Thousands defy police to rally for ousted CHP leader Ozel

Tens of thousands of CHP supporters rallied for Ozgur Ozel in Izmir on Tuesday in a major show of defiance after a court ousted him from the party leadership.

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Explainer

Why Sunni frustration is growing over Lebanon’s amnesty law

Women hold portraits of jailed Islamist cleric Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir during a protest calling for his release in Beirut on April 24, 2025.

Turkish court ousts CHP leadership amid opposition crackdown

Leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Ozgur Ozel addresses the audience during a rally in Istanbul on April 9, 2025.

Analysis

Iran tightens wartime crackdown across Kurdish, Baluch ethnic regions

Baluch Iranian youths cross a street in Zahedan, in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan bordering Afghanistan, on Dec. 18, 2025.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L) sits with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before a dinner at the Prime Minister's residence March 9, 2010 in Jerusalem, Israel. Biden, visiting Israel as part of U.S.-led efforts to restart Middle East peace talks, on Tuesday condemned Israel's plans for 1,600 new homes in an area of the occupied West Bank it has annexed to Jerusalem. (Photo by Baz Ratner-Pool/Getty Images)

Biden losing patience with Netanyahu over judicial overhaul, democratic values

After statements by several senior US officials criticizing Israel’s judicial overhaul plan, it was President Joe Biden himself that scolded Benjamin Netanyahu and urged him to forge a compromise in Israel.

Zoom wedding

Culture

Israelis Zoom to Utah in search of civil marriage

Since civil marriage does not exist in Israel, mixed-faith couples and people who do not want a religious marriage are now opting for online weddings performed in the US state of Utah.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Israel to provide Ukraine with anti-drone systems, as Netanyahu visits Germany

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has gone on the offensive, arguing in Berlin that his judicial reform will strengthen Israeli democracy, not weaken it.

Demonstrators confront Israeli mounted policemen during a rally against the government's controversial judicial overhaul bill in Tel Aviv on March 16, 2023. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Israelis block roads as Netanyahu rejects judicial overhaul compromise

Rallies across Israel continue for the 10th week in a row against the government’s judicial overhaul plan, after the coalition rejected a compromise suggested by the president.

Julia Nikhinson/Getty Images

Analysis

Former IDF commanders in Washington to appeal to Biden on Israel’s judicial overhaul

As the Israeli government fast-tracks its judicial overhaul plans, former IDF officers are hoping that pressure by the Biden administration could derail them before it's too late.

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

Israelis protest against the government's controversial judicial reform bill, in front of the residence of Justice Minister Yariv Levin, in the central city of Modiin, on March 9, 2022. (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / AFP) (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN/AFP via Getty Images)

Israeli FM slams Europe for 'interfering' in judicial overhaul

Ahead of a debate at the European Parliament on Israel’s judicial overhaul, Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen accused EU Foreign Affairs Chief Josep Borrel of interfering in Israel’s internal affairs.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir react after sworn in at the Israeli parliament during a new government sworn in discussion at the Israeli parliament on December 29, 2022

Ignoring protests, Israeli Knesset advances Netanyahu's judicial overhaul

Three major elements of the government’s judicial overhaul plan were approved at first Knesset readings, with second and third readings expected in the coming days.

Protesters gathered outside Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington to condemn Smotrich visit.

Protests in Washington against Israel's far-right minister Smotrich

The State Department agreed to offer a diplomatic visa, but senior officials refused to meet with Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on his visit to Washington.

ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Shunned by Washington, Israel's Netanyahu seeks alliances in Rome

Waiting to be invited to the White House, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is visiting one European capital after another.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu give a statement after their meeting at the prime minister's office, Jerusalem, April 12, 2021.

Analysis

Tensions in West Bank threaten Israel-US intelligence cooperation

Top US Gen. Milley delivered "unprecedented message" to Israeli officials, warning that internal chaos and growing tensions in the West Bank could endanger the country’s strategic relations with the United States.

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

Israeli forces disperse a protest against the government's controversial judicial reform bill in Tel Aviv on March 9, 2023. (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Protesters in Israel block roads, Haifa marine port on 'Day of Disruption'

Thousands of people are protesting against the government’s judicial overhaul plan, blocking highways, Haifa port and entrances to airport terminals.

Rally in Jerusalem, Feb. 25 2023 Credit: Tal Kfir Shor

Handmaid's Tale inspires Israeli women battling religious coercion

Hundreds of women clad in red cloaks and sporting white bonnets have been appearing in the past few weeks in several of the anti-judicial overhaul, pro-democracy demonstrations across the country.