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Politics & Security

In this US Navy released handout, an F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, prepares to take off from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in support of Operation Epic Fury on March 1, 2026 at Sea.

Trump launches new airstrikes on Iran as deal stalls

A new wave of strikes aims not to restart war but rather to strengthen Washington's hand in long-sought negotiations, the Pentagon's top official claims.

AAREF WATAD/AFP via Getty Images

Russia in talks on 'reformatting' its military sites in Syria: What to know

Moscow signals it wants to maintain its presence in Syria, where President Ahmed al-Sharaa recently said that Russian bases will be converted into training centers.

France's President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech after receiving the Pic du Midi nomination file for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List from officials of the Occitanie region at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris on June 9, 2026. (Photo by Thomas Padilla / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Macron meets Tom Barrack as France seeks larger role in Lebanon

As Israel and Lebanon move toward a ceasefire agreement, France is seeking to play a role through two initiatives: strengthening the Lebanese army and establishing a new international force.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

US President Donald Trump (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands as they arrive to speak to journalists during a joint press conference at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on Dec. 29, 2025.

As Trump casts doubt on Netanyahu's future, Likud rushes to reaffirm support

By questioning whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will run in the next Knesset elections, President Donald Trump may have dented one of the Israeli leader's key political assets ahead of the vote.

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Explainer

Turkey-Israel tensions flare over Syria, Lebanon, East Med: What to know

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan buttons up his jacket during a press conference after the conclusion of the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg on November 23, 2025.

Amnesty International accuses Israel of state-led ethnic cleansing in West Bank

Israeli security forces attempt to disperse Palestinians who had gathered to protest the reported burning of land by Israeli settlers in the Palestinian village of Idna, west of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, on June 5, 2026.

US, Iran trade strikes after downing of Apache helicopter: What to know

In this US Navy released handout, an F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, makes an arrested landing on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in support of Operation Epic Fury, Feb. 28, 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

Aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), left.

Why is US sending 3,000 Navy, Marines force to Persian Gulf?

The Pentagon has not yet specified the Marines' role in deterring Iran from interfering with commercial shipping and threatening neighboring Arab states.

Turkey's newly appointed Foreign Affairs Minister Hakan Fidan.

In first foreign policy speech, Turkey's FM asks NATO to be 'considerate,' slams PKK

Laying out Turkey's foreign policy priorities, Hakan Fidan set forth a national security-oriented agenda, striking a more hawkish tone on the Kurdistan Workers Party while softening his language on regional ties.

Israeli-Georgian tycoon and philanthropist Mikhael Mirilashvili is pictured in an undated photo.

Ukraine sanctions Israeli-Georgian billionaire accused of backing Russia

Israeli press reported today that Israeli-Georgian businessman Mikhael Mirilashvili, considered close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was blacklisted by Ukraine several months ago.

Baykar Press Office/dia images via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia agrees to produce Turkey’s Baykar drones

Riyadh wants to boost its military might, especially with the prospect of its main rival Iran developing its nuclear enrichment capabilities.

ISSEI KATO/AFP via Getty Images

Iran’s foreign minister meets Japanese counterpart in rare Tokyo trip

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian's visit to Japan comes amid mounting tensions in the region over Iran’s nuclear activities and attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf.

GIL COHEN-MAGEN/AFP via Getty Images

Israel to include Gaza Americans in US visa waiver trial

After agreeing to facilitate the passage of American-Palestinians in the West Bank, Israel has agreed to similar conditions for those residing in Gaza.

Palestinian protesters run for cover as Israeli forces fire teargas during clashes following a protest against a march by Israeli settlers to the wildcat settlement outpost of Homesh, in the village of Burqa, West Bank, April 19, 2022.

Israeli settler kills Palestinian in Burqa, seven arrested

After arresting two settlers over the fatal incident at the West Bank town of Burqa, where a young Palestinian was killed, police have detained five Palestinians on suspicion of riots and attacks.

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

China 'participated actively’ in Ukraine peace talks in Saudi Arabia

Pro-Kyiv Western countries had failed to secure China’s presence at previous Ukraine peace talks.

Bullet-ridden buildings are seen at the Ain el-Hilweh camp following the latest flare-up in the Palestinian refugee camp, Sidon, Lebanon, Aug. 4, 2023.

Why are UAE, Saudi, other Gulf countries issuing Lebanon travel warnings?

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and also Germany and the United Kingdom issued similar travel warnings over the fighting that began July 29 between Fatah and hard-line Islamists at Lebanon's Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp.

OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Grain silo explosion at Turkey's Derince port wounds at least nine

The grain silo explosion hit Turkey's northwestern province of Kocaeli.

TOPSHOT - A member of a Ukrainian volunteer unit and a computer science student Valdemar, 19, poses in the unit's gun position used to counter threats during air-raid sirens, in a suburb of Kyiv on February 28, 2023. - Colonel "Smak" and his Ukrainian volunteer unit of 80 civilian volunteers take turns day and night keeping watch for incoming threats: Iranian-made "Shahed" explosive drones launched by the Russians. Since October, the unit - whose machine gun dates back to the 1920s - has shot down three suc

Analysis

Can Iran's Shahed drones in Ukraine help ease tension with Russia?

Tensions that emerged after Iran summoned the Russian ambassador over Moscow's comments on disputed islands with the UAE has once again highlighted the limits of trust in bilateral relations between the two.

Anton Mardasov

By Anton Mardasov

Karachi port

UAE, Saudi Arabia race for investment in Pakistan

Both Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are prepared to develop closer business ties with less red tape, but experts caution that the Gulf nations stand to benefit most.