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Politics & Security

Syrian government troops stand guard next to a burning tyre along a street of Tabqa, in Raqa province, on the southwestern banks of the Euphrates on Jan. 18, 2026.

Breaking | Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 5:14 pm

Bowing to US pressure, Syrian military advances, Kurdish-led SDF agrees to Sharaa's terms

Syrian government forces rapidly retook Raqqa and key eastern territories from the US-backed SDF, prompting a ceasefire agreement that effectively restores Damascus’s control over much of Syria’s oil-rich northeast.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (R) speaks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (L) during the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul, on June 21, 2025.

Analysis

Turkey braces for Iran fallout: Trade disruptions, refugees and shifting geopolitics

Turkey is urging restraint between Tehran and Washington as unrest in Iran and the US president's threats heighten fears in Ankara of disrupted trade routes, refugee flows and a regional shift that could strengthen Israel.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

TEHRAN, IRAN - JANUARY 12: Security forces are seen during a pro-government rally on January 12, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Tehran's Enqelab Square on Monday, as Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of the Iranian parliament, made a speech denouncing western intervention in Iran, following ongoing anti-government protests. In recent days, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened military action if Iranian security forces kill protesters. (Photo by Stringer/G

Feature

Bodies for ransom: Iranians fleeing to Turkey recount regime crackdown, retribution

Transiting Istanbul Airport, they also spoke of the internet blackout, hurried departures and skepticism of foreign intervention providing relief.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

US President Donald Trump departs Air Force One after arriving at Palm Beach International Airport on Jan. 16, 2026.

Trump tempers threats, 'thanks' Iran for halting protester executions

President Trump said the canceled Iranian executions “had a big impact” on his decision-making regarding a military response.

Latest News

Trump's Venezuela buildup delays US aircraft carrier, raising stakes of Iran strike

A US Navy officer walks past fighter jets parked on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham, Kuala Lumpur, Nov. 26, 2024

Jared Szuba

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

Iran plans to create closed internet network offering tiered access: Report

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Witkoff lays out conditions for deal with Iran, warns alternative 'bad one'

Witkoff

Analysis

Israel 'frustrated' by Trump’s Iran backtrack, unsure if strategy or cold feet

US President Donald Trump (R) greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, Dec. 29, 2025.

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

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

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men roll a missile debris from Iran's aerial barrage on April 13, located at a channel near the city of Arad, Israel, April 30, 2024.

After Iranian missile salvo, US braces for Israel’s next move

The White House is grappling with how to support Israel’s right to respond without raising prospects for a long-feared Middle East war.

A Romanian Navy helicopter is pictured on the "King Ferdinand" frigate during "Sea Shield 24" exercise April 16, 2024.

Turkey sits out NATO drill in Greece despite detente with Athens

The decision stemmed from historical territorial disputes between the two NATO allies.

An armed man sits in front of a car damaged in a reported Israeli strike in Damascus on Oct. 2, 2024.

As Israel steps up attacks on Syria, is Bashar al-Assad next?

While targeting Assad and his brother would destabilize the regime and potentially deprive Hezbollah of its rear base, an Israeli source has denied any such plans.

Smoke billows at the site of Israeli airstrikes in a south Beirut suburb, early on Oct. 2, 2024.

Analysis

Biden moves goalposts on containing war as Israel invades Lebanon

Preventing the spread of war between Israel and militant groups to fronts beyond Gaza has been the Biden administration’s top Middle East policy priority for nearly a year, but Israeli forces have now pushed into Lebanon with Washington’s green light.

Jared Szuba

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

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends his first press conference, after taking office. on Sept. 16, 2024 in Tehran, Iran.

Pezeshkian in Qatar as Iran pushes to revive nuclear deal, isolate Israel

Coming just a day after Tehran launched a barrage of missiles at Israel, Iran is expecting the visit to serve as a multifaceted initiative, helping shape its future standing in the volatile landscape and boost prospects of sanctions relief to salvage its battered economy.

US navy men stand aboard the USS Eisenhower, one of the world's largest warships, off the Cypriot coast, Oct. 25, 2006.

US downplays Lebanon evacuation plans as all-out war looms

As State Department urges Americans to flee on a dwindling number of commercial flights, a private rescue group is laying the groundwork for potential evacuations from Lebanon.

A man checks the damages at a restaurant in the aftermath of an Iranian missile attack on Israel, on Oct. 2, 2024 in Tel Aviv.

Damage from Iran’s attack on Israel: What we know

Some Israeli bases sustained light damage, according to reports, while Iran hailed the attack as a success.

Defence Secretary John Healey visits RAF Akrotiri, during a visit to Cyprus to meet troops as the government steps up efforts for a potential evacuation of Lebanon.

US, China, France, others weigh Lebanon evacuation plans for nationals

The situation in Lebanon and the region has quickly deteriorated, prompting several countries to come up with plans to secure the safe evacuation of their nationals from the country.

This picture shows the remains of an Iranian missile on the ground in the Negev desert near Arad, on October 2, 2024, in the aftermath of an Iranian missile attack on Israel. Israel vowed to make Iran "pay" for firing a barrage of missiles at its territory, with Tehran warning on October 2 it would launch an even bigger attack it is targeted. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel’s four options for retaliating against Iran

On the eve of the Jewish New Year, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must decide how to respond to the Iranian missile attack against Israel.

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

Smoke billows during airstrikes in central Khartoum as the Sudanese army attacks positions held by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces throughout the capital, Khartoum, Sudan, Sept. 26, 2024.

What's behind attack on UAE ambassador in Sudan?

The UAE's role in Sudan is coming under greater scrutiny as the battle for power between rival groups SAF and RSF drags on into its 17th month.

United Arab Emirates

An Israeli army main battle tank moves at a position along the border with Lebanon in northern Israel on October 1, 2024. The Israeli army on October 1 said it launched a ground offensive in Lebanon and that its forces engaged in clashes, further escalating the conflict after a week of intense air strikes that killed hundreds. The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon said, however, the Israeli operation did not amount to a "ground incursion" and while Hezbollah denied any troops had crossed the border, an Isr

Analysis

Lebanon invasion: Will Israel stop at Litani River or go beyond?

Israel must decide how far its army will go, now that it launched a ground invasion into southern Lebanon, its first in 18 years.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Palestinian youths inspect a fallen projectile after Iran launched a barrage of missiles at Israel in response to the killings of Lebanese Hezbollah leader Nasrallah.

Iran hard-liners applaud IRGC, Khamenei amid missile attack on Israel

Iran said the strike was in retaliation for Israel's killing of Hezbollah's leader, but it has placed Tehran closer than ever to a state of all-out conflict with Israel — a choice Iran has been avoiding since the outbreak of the Gaza war.