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Politics & Security

US President Donald Trump walks through the Cross Hall as he arrives for a ceremony to present the Commander-in-Chief Trophy to the Navy Midshipmen football team of the United States Naval Academy in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images)

Breaking | Last Updated: March 23, 2026, 11:08 am

Trump announces five-day pause on Iran energy strikes after 'productive' talks

US President Trump has paused planned US strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure for five days following “productive” talks, easing tensions after a standoff over the Strait of Hormuz that rattled oil markets.

An undated image of Eran Etzion.

Interview

Ex-Israeli security official: Netanyahu pushed US, Israel into Iran war without imminent threat

Eran Etzion, a former Israeli deputy national security adviser and opposition politician, says Netanyahu might decide to prolong the war against Hezbollah and Iran even if the United States opts out.

US President Donald Trump and President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi clasp hands as they speak to the press before their meeting on Oct. 13, 2025, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

How Egypt is navigating limited options in Iran war to stay neutral

Egypt, so far spared from Iranian retaliatory attacks, is pushing for a diplomatic solution as the war with the US and Israel threatens its already fragile economy.

United Arab Emirates army helicopters fly from the Burj al Arab hotel (R) toward Burj Khalifa, Dubai, Jan. 16, 2026.

Analysis

Iran war drives Turkey-Gulf defense alignment, but not alliance

Despite accelerated cooperation as a result of the US-Israeli war on Iran, structural and political constraints would make a formal military alliance unlikely.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Latest News

Analysis

Unclear chains of command in Iran complicate Russia’s diplomatic play

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrive for a documents signing ceremony following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on January 17, 2025. (Photo by Vyacheslav PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP) (Photo by VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Anton Mardasov

By Anton Mardasov

Analysis

Meet the hard-liner who could replace Larijani as Iran’s wartime security chief

Saeed Jalili, the radical presidential candidate of Iran, among supporters at Shahada airport on July 2, 2024.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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

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.

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

Lebanon

Lebanon says 26 killed as Israeli forces fire on residents returning to south

Clashes that began on Sunday between Israeli forces and Lebanese civilians attempting to return to their towns in southern Lebanon continued into Monday, killing at least 26 people.

US Navy via Getty Images

Iran confirms purchase of Russia’s Sukhoi-35 fighter jets: What we know

Iran and Russia have grown closer since the start of the Ukraine war as the two countries face international sanctions.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan gives a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart after their meeting in Baghdad on Jan. 26, 2025.

Defense ties, Syria top Turkey's Fidan visit to Saudi Arabia

The visit by Turkey's top diplomat aimed to strengthen regional cooperation on Syria and enhance defense ties between Ankara and Riyadh.

Residents walk through the rubble in the streets, in Al-Balad, Rafah, on January 20, 2025.

Analysis

As it eyes reconstruction role in Gaza, will Turkey remedy ties with Israel?

Turkey wants to increase its role in Gaza during the post-ceasefire process despite uncertainties and geopolitical complexities.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Workers weld a first juncture of the oil pipeline eastern Siberia on Oct. 13, 2006.

Analysis

How significant is Russia-Iran gas pipeline deal via Azerbaijan?

Iran and Russia's partnership continues to expand, as talks of an energy pipeline to transport Russian gas to Iran through Azerbaijan take shape.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

Army to drop Pentagon's civilian harm mitigation office under Trump order

Less than two years after it was established, the office — which emerged from an effort to address civilian harm in US campaigns targeting ISIS in Iraq — faces potential closure under Trump administration cuts.

Jared Szuba

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

Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard boats attack a naval vessel during a three-day military drill in the Gulf on April 22, 2010. Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards launched a new "ultra-fast" boat capable of causing high destruction after testing it in a key oil supply route, at the start of a three-day military drill. AFP PHOTO/FARS NEWS/MEHDI MARIZAD (Photo credit should read MEHDI MARIZAD/AFP via Getty Images)

As Trump returns, Iran's IRGC steps up Hormuz military drills: What to know

Iran's influential hard-liners have long argued that closure of the oil-strategic strait can serve as a bargaining chip in any confrontation with Israel and the United States.

People carry a banner during a march demanding truth and justice for Kurdish activists, Paris, Jan. 11, 2025.

27 Kurdish civilians, activists arrested in Iran following protests

After protests over the death sentences of Kurdish political prisoners, Iranian authorities arrested at least 27 people across the Kurdistan region.

JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia seizes 1.4 million Captagon pills in latest drug bust

Syria is the main source of Captagon shipments to the Gulf and the new authorities in the country have pledged to crack down on the trade.

Lebanese soldiers patrol along a residential area that was devastated by the war between Israel and Hezbollah, in the southern coastal town of Naqura, on the border with Israel on Jan. 22, 2025.

Israel delays Lebanon withdrawal deadline: What we know

Israel cites Hezbollah’s failure to meet the terms of the ceasefire deal and doubts about the Lebanese army’s readiness as reasons for the delay.

Sharaa-Bin Farhan

Saudi FM in Syria after landmark visit to Lebanon

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan’s visits to Lebanon and Syria underscore Saudi Arabia’s renewed diplomatic push in the region amid shifting power dynamics.

Smoke billows from a fire that Lebanese media reported was lit by Israeli forces in the southern Lebanese village of Burj al-Muluk, near the border with Israel, on January 21, 2025. Local media reports added that the fire engulfed a house and construction equipment related to a national water management project. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

With clock ticking in Lebanon and Gaza, are Israel’s ceasefire deals near collapse?

As implementation deadlines approach this Saturday and Sunday, Israel doubts Hamas' ability to meet its obligations and says some Hezbollah infrastructure remains in place.

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