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Politics & Security

People attend a pro-government rally on Jan. 12, 2026, in Tehran, Iran.

Iran ramps up crackdown, vows 'to cut off hand' that threatens Khamenei

Iran doubled down on the narrative that the protesters were "Israel-linked mercenaries," as international calls grew for the regime's accountability after its bloody crackdown on the unrest.

Soldiers walk past a parked car as Syrian government forces make their way to the city of Hasakeh in northeastern Syria on Jan. 20, 2026.

Syria’s Kurds accept sweetened ceasefire deal as US envoy Barrack declares SDF obsolete

The ceasefire follows intense clashes and a rapid Syrian military advance in the Kurdish-held northeast, amid concerns over ISIS prisoners.

Joris Bolomey / AFP via Getty Images

Sudan's RSF says Chad border clashes 'unintentional' after 7 soldiers killed

Chad, which Sudan’s government accuses of backing the paramilitary RSF, said that the incursion killed seven Chadian soldiers.

Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani, meet on the sidelines of the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX2026), Jan. 20, 2026.

Somalia, Qatar sign defense pact after Mogadishu scraps UAE deals: What to know

Somalia and Qatar signed a defense cooperation agreement in Doha on Monday to strengthen bilateral military ties and security collaboration, days after Mogadishu ended all its contracts with the United Arab Emirates.

Latest News

Analysis

Israel assesses Iran protest wave over, regrets not targeting Khamenei

A protester holds up a portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a demonstration near the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad, on Jan. 16, 2026.

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

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

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

Erdogan welcomes Syria-SDF agreement, urges full implementation

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

Iran blackout enters 12th day as filtered internet reveals crackdown

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

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

Sudan talks Geneva

US-sponsored Sudan peace talks open in Geneva without Burhan, army

Washington has insisted that the talks aimed at ending the war in Sudan begin despite the army's refusal to participate.

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 navy conducts drills in north as Israel, region brace for escalation

The drills come at a time of heightened tensions in the region, amid an expected Iranian attack against Israel over the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Turkish Foreign Ministry

Analysis

What’s next for Ethiopia-Somalia rift as talks in Turkey end with no breakthrough?

The two countries will meet next month for a third round, the top Turkish diplomat said.

Ezgi Akin

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

OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Woman who blamed Erdogan for Turkey’s Instagram ban jailed for 'insult'

A Turkish woman was arrested today for insulting Turkey’s president, infuriating many in the country — and even within his ruling Justice and Development Party.

Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

US delegations head to Middle East in bid to head off major escalation

Iran's diplomatic mission to the UN denied reports that Tehran is seeking a seat at the table for last-ditch Gaza cease-fire talks planned for Thursday.

rocket fire

Analysis

Iran, Israel in 'war of nerves' as US applies pressure to reach Gaza deal

The Biden administration is working both fronts simultaneously by pressuring the sides to reach a cease-fire deal in Gaza and limiting the expected attack on Israel by Iran and Hezbollah.

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

An elderly woman pulls a trolley ahead of the May 28 Turkey's presidential run-off, Istanbul, Turkey, May 22, 2023.

Turkey arrests teen who live streamed knife attack on five elderly people

The attack by an 18-year-old suspect on five members of the public rattled Turkey.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the sidelines of the Sixth Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, Astana, Kazakhstan, Oct. 13, 2022.

Putin hosts Abbas as Russia looks for role in ending Gaza war

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas held talks in Moscow on first such visit for the Palestinian leader since 2021.

This handout picture provided by the Iranian army office on Dec. 24, 2023, shows equipment on display.

US says Iran’s attack on Israel 'could be this week'

With the timing of Iran's attack unclear, the White House says it's preparing for a "significant set of attacks."

Turkish animal rights activists pet a dog during a demonstration to protect stray dogs and cats in Istanbul on July 30, 2024.

Turkey’s stray dogs killed in droves after passage of Erdogan-backed law

The legislation was rammed through parliament last month by AKP lawmakers and their nationalist allies in the face of nationwide protests.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant leaves the State Department after meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the US State Department in Washington, DC, on March 25, 2024. The White House said Monday it was "perplexed" and "disappointed" by the cancelation of an Israeli delegation's planned visit to discuss US concerns over a possible offensive in southern Gaza. Israel scrapped the visit after the United States abstained from a UN Security Council vote demanding an "immediate ceasefire" in Ga

Gallant clashes with Netanyahu, cautions against Israeli war in Lebanon

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the military is ready for possible attacks by Iran and Hezbollah, but he does not support a preemptive operation in Lebanon.

Palestinian children passing by on the street look at the makeshift gravesite of Khaled Abu Obeid at his family's home in Gaza City's Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood on August 7, 2024. Khaled was feeding pigeons on their rooftop when he was killed by a sniper on December 21 amid an Israeli siege of the area, forcing the family and neighbours to dig his grave at home, where it remains, the family said. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP) (Photo by OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP via Getty Images)

UK, France, Germany leaders urge restart of Gaza cease-fire talks as Hamas reconsiders

European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called on Monday for the truce talks to resume, after the mediators did last week.