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Politics & Security

Modi and Pezeshkian

India, Iran hold sidebar as SCO summit opens amid US strikes

The meetings come as tensions between Tehran and Washington have once again escalated.

Mecca Alliance

Israel, Greece sign $3.5 billion air-defense deal: What to know

Against the backdrop of growing tensions with Turkey, Israel signed one of its largest-ever defense industry deals to supply Greece with advanced air defense systems.

CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images

Pentagon inks 7-year missile-production deal amid Iran war shortage

The Defense Department has been hammering out new agreements with top defense manufacturers as the Iran war has rapidly depleted Washington's interceptor stockpiles.

Mecca Alliance

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan set Mecca Alliance into motion

The three countries are moving to formalize military coordination under the newly named Mecca Alliance amid renewed hostilities between Iran and the US.

Latest News

Analysis

Why Palestinians see success of Trump talks as contingent on Israeli elections

Evan Vucci / Getty Images

Mohammed Najib

By Mohammed Najib

Analysis

How Ethiopia’s new dams test Egypt’s ability to defend its Nile red lines

Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

Eli Siegel-Bernstein

By Eli Siegel-Bernstein

Analysis

Why Turkey welcomes Israel-Syria talks despite mounting red lines

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrive for a joint press conference following their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Feb. 4, 2025.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

UAE-China air drills deepen with fourth Falcon Shield exercise

Chinese President Xi Jinping and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

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

President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian speaks during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the United Nations headquarters on Sept. 24, 2025 in New York City.

Analysis

'Prepared for any scenario': What are Iran's options after sanctions snapback?

As the snapback nears, Iran weighs diplomacy, escalation and changes to its nuclear policy.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Women and children walk at the Al-Amal Camp (formerly Al-Jadaa), south of Mosul in northern Iraq, which houses Iraqi families who have been repatriated from Syria's Al-Hol camp, on May 8, 2025.

Pentagon pushes to accelerate ISIS detainee repatriations from Syria

Uncertainty about Syria’s long-term stability and the the US military’s future presence in the country have increased urgency among some Pentagon officials to further reduce the population of nearly 30,000 suspected ISIS-associated detainees in the camps.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin (L) talks to US President Donald Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on April 7, 2025, in Washington.

Analysis

Netanyahu sidesteps Trump's Gaza plan at UN as US presses Israel to end war

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet on Monday with President Donald Trump, where he will have to make decisions on whether to continue with the Gaza war or end it.

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

Screenshot, YouTube.

Israeli-American indicted for spying for Iran as Tehran steps up espionage in Israel

Iran has been seeking to recruit both Jews and Arabs for surveillance activities inside Israel.

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

Trump-Erdogan summit exudes love but few breakthroughs for Turkey

US President Donald Trump had raised expectations during a joint news conference in which he showered praise on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling him a “tough guy,” “a great leader” and someone “I respect.”

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the United Nations headquarters on Sept. 26, 2025 in New York City.

Won’t shove it 'down our throats': Netanyahu blasts Palestine recognition in UN speech

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the leaders of countries that recognized Palestine of playing into Hamas’ hands.

Maj. Gen. David Zini, head of the Israeli military Training Command (left), greets an ultra-Orthodox soldier drafted into the Hasmonean Brigade, Jan. 5, 2025.

Meet David Zini, Israel's controversial next Shin Bet chief

The Grunis Committee cleared his nomination despite controversies over Zini's past statements, national-religious background, and closeness to the prime minister.

Special envoy Steve Witkoff speaks as President Donald Trump holds a cabinet meeting with members of his administration in the White House on Aug. 26, 2025, in Washington, DC.

Snapback ‘too late’ to reverse despite quiet US-Iran talks

Months after US and Israeli strikes derailed the nuclear talks, Steve Witkoff confirmed his talks with the Iranians are ongoing.

President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a meeting in the Oval Office at the White House on Sept. 25, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Trump says Turkey sanctions could end 'very soon' at White House meeting with Erdogan

During the meeting, Trump suggested the dispute over Turkey’s F-35 fighter jets could be resolved quickly as sanctions discussions continue.

This frame grab taken from an AFPTV footage shows smoke billowing after explosions in Qatar's capital Doha on Sept. 9, 2025.

Pentagon had no warning Israel planned to strike Qatar, US general says

The top US Air Force commander for the Middle East said early warning systems did not determine that Israeli warplanes had launched ballistic missiles towards Qatar, a US ally, until it was too late, following fresh concerns about the Pentagon's ambitions to build an air defense umbrella for the region.

MAXIM SHEMETOV/AFP via Getty Images

Sudan, Russia sign trade deals as Khartoum seeks funds, Moscow eyes Red Sea port

The meeting in Moscow produced two agreements and an economic and trade cooperation protocol.