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Politics & Security

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After gun found in lake, French police probe link to 2012 Iraqi family murder

A recently discovered Luger pistol may have been used in the mysterious 2012 killing of the al-Hilli family near the Alpine town of Chevaline in eastern France.

A women stands overlooking the water as ships are seen anchored in the Strait of Hormuz on Aug. 10, 2026, off the coast of Bandar Abbas, Iran.

US expands Iran campaign with strikes on oil tankers

Airstrikes on Iranian oil tankers mark a subtle tactical pivot after months of periodic bombardment targeting IRGC military infrastructure failed to shut down the IRGC’s attacks in Hormuz.

In this picture obtained by AFP from the Iranian news agency Tasnim on September 2, 2026 a destroyed vehicle is pictured at the site of an overnight strike in Kuhestak, Sirik County, in Iran's southern Hormozgan province on September 2, 2026. Iranian forces said on September 2 that they launched attacks on US military targets in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and other countries in the region, vowing "severe" consequences for renewed American attacks on the Islamic republic. (Photo by Masoud Moha

Iran vows continued military action amid renewed hostilities with US

Iran responded to US attacks with a wave of drone and missile strikes against countries across the region, raising fears of a return to war.

Vehicles drive beneath a large screen displaying portraits of Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (R) and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Cairo on Aug. 31, 2026.

Xi makes first Egypt visit in decade as Cairo gets caught in US-China AI row

China's Huawei last month submitted a bid to build advanced AI data centers and supply more than 2,000 AI chips for Egyptian government systems.

Latest News

Fresh fighting in Syria's Suwayda leaves one dead: What to know

Tribal and Bedouin fighters deploy in the western neighborhood of southern Syria's predominantly Druze city of Suwayda amid clashes with Druze gunmen on July 19, 2025.

US airstrikes target Iran's Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island

ISNA / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel favors status quo as tensions in Iran's leadership fuel escalation risk

missile

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

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

Modi and Pezeshkian

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

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon on June 22, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia.

Hegseth fires Pentagon’s top intel chief

The DIA director, along with Navy Reserve and SPECWARCOM chiefs, is among the casualties in the latest purge of top DOD officials since Trump returned to the presidency.

Former National Security Adviser John Bolton speaks at a panel hosted by the National Council of Resistance of Iran – U.S. Representative Office (NCRI-US) at the Willard InterContinental Hotel on Aug. 17, 2022 in Washington, DC.

FBI raids home of Iran hawk and Trump critic John Bolton: What to know

The Trump administration accused former adviser John Bolton of releasing classified material with the publication of his memoir, while Turkey took issue with an excerpt on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Smoke billows over a neighborhood of Sulaimaniyah, east of the autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq, after security forces arrested opposition figure Lahur Sheikh Jangi, following several hours of armed clashes on Aug. 22, 2025.

Analysis

Iraqi Kurdish factional feuds erupt anew with violent arrest of Lahur Talabani

Violent clashes in Sulaimaniyah underscore long-standing political tensions and a scramble for influence in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

A container ship passes in front of Haydarpasa Port as it navigates the Bosphorus Strait on May 2, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Turkey blocks Israel-linked ships from using its ports: What to know

Ship operators must declare vessels have no ties to Israel under new restrictions.

Palestinians watch as a plume of smoke rises during an Israeli strike on Gaza City's southern al-Zeitoun neighbourhood on Aug. 8, 2025.

Analysis

As Israel moves on Gaza City and calls for Hamas talks, Trump remains silent

Opposition leaders have offered Prime Minister Netanyahu a "safety net" for a ceasefire, vowing to support his government if extremists try to bring it down as a result of a deal.

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

This handout image shows a view of the reactor building at the Russian-built Bushehr nuclear power plant on Aug. 21, 2010, in Bushehr, southern Iran.

Analysis

Deadline for sanctions snapback tests Iran’s resolve

Only 10 days remain before the E3's deadline to “snap back” sanctions on Iran expires. With the clock ticking, can Tehran persuade the Europeans to change course?

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

Lebanese army soldiers are stationed at the Burj al-Barajneh camp for Palestinian refugees in Beirut's southern suburbs on Aug. 21, 2025, as armed Palestinian groups in the refugee camps start handing over their weapons.

Lebanon begins disarming Palestinian factions after refugee camp hands over weapons

Lebanese and Palestinian officials confirmed that the first phase of the disarmament process of Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon has begun.

HRH the Crown Prince welcomes President of Egypt upon arrival in Neom, Saudi Arabia, on Aug. 21, 2025.

Egypt's Sisi, Saudi crown prince discuss Red Sea, Gaza, trade in Neom

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi headed to Saudi Arabia as the two countries continue to strengthen bilateral ties and enhance cooperation on regional and international issues.

US Air Force F-35A performs during an exhibition flight demonstration as part of the 55th edition of the International Paris Air Show (Salon international de l'aeronautique et de l'espace - SIAE) at the ParisLe Bourget Airport, in Le Bourget, north of Paris on June 19, 2025.

Trump admin reaffirms F-35 ban on Turkey after letter from 40 Democrats

The State Department's reassurance followed renewed pressure from lawmakers from both parties opposed to Turkey accessing F-35 technology while retaining the Russian S-400.

Members of the new Syrian government's army are seen amid battles with militias loyal to the Assad regime on the Syrian coast near Latakia, Syria, on March 7, 2025.

Turkey launches military training for Syria’s new army: What to know

Ankara has launched training, consultancy and technical assistance support to Syrian troops, according to the Turkish Defense Ministry.