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Politics & Security

US President Donald Trump meets with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House, Nov. 10, 2025.

Trump demands end to clashes with Kurds in call with Syria's Sharaa

US President Donald Trump called Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and secured a pledge from the leader to not enter al-Hasakeh as Syrian forces clashed with the Kurdish-led SDF.

DAMASCUS, SYRIA - JANUARY 18: Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa signs a ceasefire agreement with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on January 18, 2026 in Damascus, Syria. According to Syrian state media, the deal includes a handover of Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa governates into government control, and the full integration of SDF fighters into state institutions. It follows the government's recent push towards the key city of Raqqa, after SDF fighters withdrew from Aleppo amid deadly clashes over the

Erdogan welcomes Syria-SDF agreement, urges full implementation

Turkey has welcomed the agreement as key to domestic peace efforts with the outlawed Kurdish militants.

Pedestrians make their way along a path at Tehran Grand Bazaar, on Jan. 18, 2026 in Tehran, Iran.

Iran blackout enters 12th day as filtered internet reveals crackdown

Nearly 4,000 people have been killed in the protests in Iran, as videos emerging amid limited access to internet show the scale of the crackdown launched by security forces.

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.

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’ control over much of Syria’s oil-rich northeast.

Latest News

Analysis

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

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.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Feature

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

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

Ezgi Akin

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

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

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

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

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

Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa attends a signing ceremony with Chinese President Xi Jinping (not pictured) at the Great Hall of the People on May 31, 2024, in Beijing, China.

Bahrain king pardons 457 prisoners: What we know

Bahrain’s human rights record has been widely criticized, despite recent pardons, and the latest move follows efforts to repair relations with Iran.

HADI MIZBAN/AFP via Getty Images

US-Iraq raids puts scrutiny on Baghdad’s ability to contain ISIS

Seven US troops were injured during raids to take down senior Islamic State operatives in Iraq’s western Anbar province last week amid a spike in ISIS attacks.

Lt. Gen. Ahmad Fathy Khalifa, chief of staff of Egypt’s armed forces, inspects security conditions at the Egypt-Gaza border, known as the Philadelphi Corridor, on Sept. 5, 2024.

What’s behind Egyptian commander’s visit to Gaza border amid Israel spat?

Lt. Gen. Ahmad Fathy Khalifa’s visit came in response to Israel demanding control of the Philadelphi Corridor, said one expert.

In Abu Dhabi, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed meets with HE Chen Min’er, member of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party and Communist Party secretary of Tianjin, to discusses prospects of increasing bilateral cooperation under the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Sept. 4, 2024. Credit: UAE Foreign Ministry

Analysis

How UAE-China ties expand around Tianjin chief visit, ADNOC deal

Diplomatic and business traffic is gaining steam between Dubai and Beijing after a first-of-its-kind think-tank forum, a high-level welcome for a Tianjin official to the UAE, and a major deal with ADNOC this week.

Joyce Karam

Republican presidential nominee, former US President Donald Trump, takes the stage during a campaign rally in the 1st Summit Arena at the Cambria County War Memorial on August 30, 2024, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

Iran linked to US election disinformation campaign: What we know

The Iranian government has been tied to an assassination plot on US soil and a hack of the Trump campaign, both of which Tehran has denied.

Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, arrives to attend a session meeting during the 10th BRICS summit on July 27, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Erdogan to attend BRICS summit in Russia as Turkey seeks to join bloc

Turkey eyes BRICS membership amid stalled EU accession bid, as Erdogan prepares to meet bloc’s leaders at the upcoming summit in Russia.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stands before a map of the Gaza Strip during a news conference in Jerusalem on September 2, 2024.

Netanyahu snubs critics, says Israel holding Philadelphi key to free hostages

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that the parties are far away from reaching a deal, reiterating that Israel will not agree to fully withdraw its forces from the Philadelphi Corridor during the first phase of a truce with Hamas.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday hosts Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during the Egyptian leader's first-ever Turkey visit, in Ankara, on Sept. 4, 2024.

Turkey, Egypt ink 17 deals as Erdogan hosts Sisi on first visit to Ankara

The Turkish and Egyptian leaders reaffirmed their commitment to improving bilateral ties as well as increasing coordination on regional issues.

Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan is welcomed by Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the airport in Cairo, Egypt February 14, 2024. Murat Cetinmuhurdar/Turkish Presidential Press Office

Analysis

Once sworn enemies, Egypt’s Sisi and Turkey’s Erdogan to meet in Ankara

Despite more than a decade of hostility between Turkey and Egypt, ties appear to be on an upward trajectory.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

This picture taken from the Egyptian side of the border with the Gaza Strip, shows the war-ravaged city of Rafah on July 4, 2024, as the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas continues.

Saudi Arabia condemns Netanyahu's Philadelphi Corridor statements

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent comments regarding the Israeli military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor.

Kurt Reiniger, Swiss diplomat in charge of humanitarian affairs (L), arrives at the Swiss Embassy in Baghdad, on February 2, 2001.

After 33 years, what’s behind Switzerland reopening embassy in Iraq?

Switzerland closed its embassy in Baghdad in 1991 amid the Gulf War and is seeking cooperation with Iraq on migration amid an influx into Europe.

Protesters gather to demand a Gaza hostages deal on Sept. 1, 2024, in Tel Aviv, Israel.

With Netanyahu standing firm, US to present new Gaza cease-fire proposal

The cease-fire negotiations gained renewed urgency following Hamas’ killing of six hostages, including an American citizen who was expected to be released in the cease-fire deal’s first stage.