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Politics & Security

Tump

Can Trump turn midterm defeat into Iran breakthrough?

Although Iran may have contributed to Republican losses in midterms, the Trump administration still has a historic opportunity in the Middle East.

Manon Roca / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon files charges against 2 Hezbollah members as UNIFIL prepares to withdraw

The move comes amid growing security concerns in the south less than two months before the UNIFIL mandate expires.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses Turkish members of parliament during the opening of the parliamentary session at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in Ankara, on Oct. 1, 2026.

Turkey’s parliament ratifies Mecca pact in boost to Saudi Arabia

Turkey will now decide the scope of military support for Saudi Arabia amid ongoing Iran-backed Houthi attacks on the kingdom.

Tomer Neuberg / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Explainer

Arab parties' backing gives Eisenkot edge over Netanyahu for PM: What to know

With 67 Knesset members backing his candidacy, Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot could win the mandate to form the next government.

Latest News

Massie renews Hegseth impeachment push as GOP blames Iran war for midterm losses

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testifies during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, on July 21, 2026, in Washington.

Jared Szuba

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

Can Erdogan’s Baku visit fix Turkey-Azerbaijan rift?

TOFIK BABAYEV/AFP via Getty Images

Russia to provide Iran with 90 missile launchers as military ties grow: Reports

Russian Mil Mi-8 military helicopters fly over a joint Russian and Turkish convoy, northeastern Hasakeh province, Syria, Feb. 4, 2021.

Turkey says soldier killed by gunfire from Iran at border: What to know

A sign marking the border of Turkey in Van, Turkey, on March 14, 2026.

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

Tom Nicholson/Getty Images

Macron after meeting Sharaa: Lifting Syria sanctions 'in everyone's interest'

French President Emmanuel Macron is rolling out the red carpet for Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in hopes of gaining regional influence.

MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP via Getty Images

Houthis pledge more attacks on Israel despite Trump truce: What to know

President Donald Trump’s unexpected announcement of a ceasefire in Yemen drew mixed reactions from region as the Houthis vowed to continue strikes on Israel and some countries welcomed the truce as a step toward stability.

ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP via Getty Images

US loses second F/A-18 jet in week of Houthi campaign

The incident marks an inauspicious end to the latest chapter in the US military's confrontation with Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Jared Szuba

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

A woman walks past a banner depicting launching missiles bearing the emblem of the Islamic Republic of Iran in central Tehran on April 15, 2024.

Iran vows ‘unrestrained’ force with new missile ahead of next round of US nuclear talks

Iran's state media said the solid-fuel, precision-guided ballistic missile, Qasem Basir, carried "a clear message" to Israel, which has "prior experience" with being hit by Iranian projectiles.

Smoke billows after a drone strike on the port of Port Sudan on May 6, 2025.

Sudan cuts ties with UAE, dubs it 'aggressor state': What to know

The move by Sudan comes as the RSF allegedly conducts their third day of drone attacks on Port Sudan, marking a sharp escalation in the country’s conflict.

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa (C) leaves a bilateral room after his meeting with Qatar's Minister of Foreign Affairs during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, in Antalya, on April 11, 2025. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP) (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

Syria’s Sharaa heads to France on first EU trip as Macron eyes influence

The visit follows Syria’s new government striking a deal with a major French company for the operation of the Latakia port, as well as bouts of sectarian violence in the country.

US President Donald Trump waits for the arrival of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House in Washington, DC, on May 6, 2025. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump says US will stop bombing campaign against Houthis in Yemen

“They don’t want to fight anymore,” the US president said, announcing a pause in strikes on Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

Israeli army tanks are deployed at a position near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, on May 5, 2025. Israel was issuing orders to call up tens of thousands of reservists ahead of an expanded offensive in Gaza, Israeli media reported on May 3, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attacked truce mediator Qatar. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

As Trump heads to Gulf, Israeli security cabinet split over plan to 'conquer' Gaza

Some associates of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu campaign for a limited Gaza operation to increase military pressure on Hamas, while the extreme right ministers call for retaking the entire Strip.

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

Smoke billows on the horizon following an Israeli air strike on Yemen's Houthi-held capital Sanaa on May 6, 2025.

Israel pummels Sanaa airport in strikes on Houthis as US denies involvement

The new attack is the second in less than a day after the Houthi launched a missile at Israel's Ben Gurion airport over the weekend.

Smoke rises from the airport of Port Sudan following reported attacks early on May 4, 2025.

RSF drone strikes on Port Sudan deepen threat to government stronghold

The RSF has allegedly launched back-to-back drone strikes on Port Sudan, targeting key infrastructure in the de facto administrative capital.

Ahmad al-Hayes (L) is seen with interim Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra. — X

Syria’s new government appoints US-sanctioned warlord to lead key army division

The appointment signals a hard-line shift as Syria's interim president struggles to assert control over fractious armed groups.

Turkey's minister of foreign affairs, Hakan Fidan, delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, on April 11, 2025.

Turkey's Fidan visits UAE for talks on Syria, Gaza: What to know

The top Turkish diplomat’s visit to the UAE comes amid heightened tensions between Turkey and Israel over Syria.