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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

Medin

Turkey convicts Swedish journalist of insulting Erdogan with terror trial next

Joakim Medin will remain behind bars awaiting prosecution on terror-related charges that press freedom groups say aim to silence the free press.

This handout photo made available by the Iranian Army Office on March 12, 2025 shows navy vessels taking part in a joint Iranian-Russian-Chinese military drill in the Gulf of Oman.

Iran unveils new navy ship amid regional tensions, nuclear talks

Iran has been expanding its naval fleet in recent years amid tensions with the United States and Israel, though the Islamic Republic is currently engaged in negotiations with Washington.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gestures as he addresses a speech during the Justice and Development Party (AKP), as part of the 8th Ordinary Grand Congress at the Ankara Arena in Ankara, on Feb. 23, 2025.

Turkey’s Erdogan rebukes Syrian Kurds over decentralization calls, but keeps tone mild

The Turkish president's restrained comments hint at an evolving strategy toward Kurdish forces in Syria.

An Air Tractor AT-802AF firefighting aircraft drops flame retardant while trying to extinguish a forest fire near the central Israeli town of Bet Shemesh, near Jerusalem on April 23, 2025. (Photo by Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP) (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Live Updates

Wildfire spreads around Jerusalem as Israel asks Italy, Greece for help

Several communities have already been evacuated over the fires blazing in the environs of Jerusalem and along Highway 1.

Heavy smoke rises at the scene of an explosion that took place a day earlier at the Shahid Rajaee port dock on April 27, 2025.

Outrage grows at Iran port explosion as IRGC rejects blame: What to know

The Revolutionary Guard distanced itself from the blast after facing accusations that the cargo contained military-grade materials linked to Iran's missile program, as criticism mounted over conflicting official accounts and the government's post-disaster response.

A woman reaches to light her candle from another held by deacon during the Christmas morning mass at the Syriac Orthodox Church of Virgin Mary in the Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province on Dec. 25, 2022.

Feature

For Syria’s minorities, life under Kurds remains safest bet

Despite promises of reform from Syria’s new Islamist-turned-president, minorities fear retribution — and find uneasy refuge under Kurdish rule.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

France s President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Lebanon s President Joseph Aoun during an official visit of the President of Lebanon, at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris on March 28, 2025. (Photo by Magali Cohen / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by MAGALI COHEN/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon's Aoun heads to UAE seeking economic support, reconstruction aid

The Lebanese president's visit to the UAE visit marks a bid to rebuild ties and garner financial support for the country's postwar reconstruction efforts.

ROME, ITALY - APRIL 29: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and talian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shake hands during the press conference following their meeting at Villa Doria Pamphilj, on April 29, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)

Erdogan, Meloni ink deals with focus on drones, Italy-Turkey defense ties

The Turkish president’s visit to Rome has strengthened Turkey-Italy ties through cooperation deals, including in the defense sector.

RAHIM/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

New explosion hits Iranian factory after deadly port fire: What to know

Iranian officials ruled out sabotage as being behind the recent fire at the Shahid Rajaee port but have not commented on the cause of Tuesday’s blast in Isfahan.

AFP via Getty Images

Israel intercepts weapons-laden drone from Egypt: What we know

The Israeli military said it intercepted a large drone carrying rifles and ammunition from Egypt.

Iranians pass by the recently repainted, famous anti-American mural that depics the US flag with bombs and skulls in Tehran, Iran on April 10, 2025, two days before the first round of indirect nuclear negotiations with President Trump's administration hosted and mediated by Oman. (Photo by Mohammadali Najib / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by MOHAMMADALI NAJIB/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

'Out of loop': Israel increasingly fears being blindsided by a Trump-Iran deal

The Israeli prime minister had wanted to keep the military option on the table, but for now must grit his teeth and let US-Iranian negotiations run their course.

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

BAKR ALKASEM/AFP via Getty Images

Syria: 9 killed as clashes erupt in Druze-majority town

Clashes in a Damascus suburb pitted Druze residents against armed men from nearby Sunni-majority towns.