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Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pose after signing a defense partnership agreement on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday, July 8, 2026.

Analysis

From S-400s to SAMP/T: Turkey’s defense pivot gathers pace after NATO summit

Turkey is seeking to turn the diplomatic momentum from the Ankara NATO summit into a broad defense realignment spanning US sanctions relief and fighter technology, European air defenses and deeper military cooperation with the UK.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

As US-Iran fighting resumes, Israel weighs 3 options with restraint winning, for now

Despite Israel's military readiness to resume strikes on Iran, officials say looming elections make Netanyahu more likely to stay out unless Tehran forces his hand.

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

US President Donald Trump walks to board Air Force One as he departs Bismarck Municipal Airport on July 01, 2026 in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Israel warns US of new Iran plot to assassinate Trump: What to know

US officials are reportedly still assessing the Israeli intelligence.

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Why US strikes on Iran rail bridge signal shift in Hormuz conflict

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Lebanon's Aoun to meet Trump in first presidential summit in US since 2009

Andreas SOLARO / AFP via Getty Images

Oil soars more than 6% as Trump rules out Iran deal, threatens more strikes

A cargo ship is pictured off coast of the Khor Fakkan Container Terminal, the only natural deep-sea port in the region and one of the major container ports in Sharjah Emirate, along the Gulf of Oman on June 28, 2026.

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

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

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

Joyce Karam

Editor-in-Chief

Rosaleen Carroll

News Reporter and Supporting Editor

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Paul J. Saunders

In Washington, DC, reporting on Russia in the Middle East

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu attend a news conference in Ankara, Turkey April 16, 2018. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RC1373DFDF70

Turkey sticks to its guns on Russian missile-defense deal

Despite the efforts of NATO heavy-hitter Jens Stoltenberg, Turkey seems to be moving closer to Russia and its S-400 air-defense system.

Despite FM's warm reception in Moscow, Russia can’t do much to save JCPOA

Tehran's disappointment with the Europeans leaves Russia as perhaps the only leverage Iran still has with the West on the nuclear deal, but there's little Moscow can do to help at this point.

Supporters of Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood and Islamic Action Front party hold Palestinian flags and shout slogans during a rally to mark the 70th anniversary of Nakba in the Jordan Valley, Sweimeh, Jordan May 11, 2018. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed - RC1D09C32540

Jordan wary of Trump’s plan to label Muslim Brotherhood terrorist body

Jordanian King Abdullah seems keen to unite the domestic front ahead of the unveiling of the US peace plan, despite past differences with the Muslim Brotherhood.

Israel, Qatar interests merge on Gaza, West Bank

In order to ameliorate its image in Washington, Qatar is now ready to extract Israel from the complicated situation it got into by withholding money from the Palestinian Authority.

U.S. President Donald Trump participates in NORAD Santa tracker phone calls from the White House in Washington, U.S. December 24, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - RC150CF26F80

Trump to Iran: Call me

Amid rising tensions, President Donald Trump urged Iran three times to call him and said he believed they could make a fair deal.

Pentagon’s new Middle East chief fixes sights on Iran threat

Gen. Frank McKenzie, the Pentagon’s new top military commander in the Middle East, faces the lingering threat of Iran with limited military authorities at his disposal and a wary Congress.

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (R) presents U.S. President Donald Trump with the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia May 20, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC18E76205A0

Congress tries to defund US nuclear transfers to Saudi Arabia

House Democrats want to use the power of the purse to halt the transfer of US civil nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia.

US condemnation of Muslim Brotherhood would cost Turkey dearly

If the Donald Trump administration brands the Muslim Brotherhood a terror organization to please its Gulf allies and Egypt, it will create a major headache for Turkey.

An election banner with the pictures of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and AK Party mayoral candidate Binali Yildirim is seen over the Galata bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, May 7, 2019. REUTERS/Murad Sezer - RC155DF5D450

Istanbul election rerun brings Turkey fresh economic turmoil

The cancellation of the opposition victory in the mayoral race in Istanbul has raised the specter of more trouble for the Turkish economy, which is already grappling with recession and currency-related tumult.

Afghans wait in line at the Soleimankhani centre for refugees in Tehran, Iran, October 24, 2016. Picture taken on October 24, 2016. REUTERS/Gabriela Baczynska TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - S1AEUJNHAXAA

Amid US pressure, Iran warns Europe of another ‘wave’ of refugees

Iran has warned Europe that if US sanctions continue to take a toll on its economy, it will no longer be able to host Afghan refugees.

Iraq's President Barham Salih meets with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Baghdad, Iraq May 7, 2019.The Presidency of the Republic of Iraq Office/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC16C5E30E00

Pro-Iran militia leader lashes out against Pompeo visit to Baghdad

Following US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to Baghdad, pro-Iranian forces in Iraq sent a strong warning to the United States.

Turkey and Palestine maintain strong ties despite US pressures

Turkey is proving to be a strong ally to Palestine despite being a member of NATO and having a long-standing military relationship with Israel, and Palestinian officials are trying to use this relationship to counterpressure the Trump administration and Israel.