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Politics & Security

Soldiers board a US Marines CH-53 Super Stallion during an airfield seizure exercise as part of the US-Philippines Balikatan joint military exercise at San Vicente Airport in Palawan on May 1, 2024.

How deployment of 4,000+ US Marines could change war in Iran

Two flotillas bearing thousands of US Marines will give Trump more options to open the Strait of Hormuz, but deploying them to the Gulf will necessitate expanding a war that's already widely unpopular at home.

Muslim worshippers break their fast outside the old city walls of Jerusalem on March 17, 2026, as the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound remains closed.

Wartime closures at Jerusalem holy sites raise fears of lasting shift among Palestinians

Palestinians say sweeping restrictions during Ramadan and ahead of Eid reflect security concerns, but there is concern they could ultimately reshape access to worship in the Old City.

A picture taken on March 12, 2017, shows an Iranian tanker docking at the platform of the oil facility in the Khark Island, on the shore of the Gulf.

Why a Kharg Island blockade could be Iran’s greatest economic threat

The island is an energy hub that accounts for 90% of Iran's oil exports and is home to key Iranian military installations.

Latest News

Qatar-based Al Jazeera commentators go dark on social media: What to know

This picture taken on August 11, 2025, shows the headquarters of the Qatari state-funded news television network Al Jazeera in the capital Doha. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP) (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Narrow opening: Can Lebanon’s push for talks shift Israel’s war calculus?

France's President Emmanuel Macron (L) wearing sunglasses shakes hands with Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam prior to their meeting at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, on January 23, 2026. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP via Getty Images)

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

Analysis

In Hormuz standoff, Trump struggles to rally allies

US President Donald Trump steps of Marine One as he returns to the White House on March 18, 2026, in Washington, DC.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

UK, Netherlands probe Iran links to plots targeting Jewish sites: What to know

Rabbi Daniel Walker and King Charles III view floral tributes during a visit to Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Oct. 20, 2025, in Manchester, England.

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

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.

PETER NICHOLLS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump, Erdogan discuss defense ties, Ukraine, possible visit in call: What to know

The two leaders discussed defense cooperation, peace efforts in Ukraine.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (L) meets with his Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Islamabad on May 5, 2025.

Iran’s Araghchi calls for restraint in Pakistan visit as India tensions rise

Iran’s top diplomat will travel to India later this week as regional states call for de-escalation in South Asia.

Qusayr

Lebanese, Syrian forces raid Captagon labs along border: What to know

The neighboring countries have stepped up their fight against the production and smuggling of Captagon, which had flourished in the border area during the Assad regime and Hezbollah’s dominance.