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Politics & Security

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) welcomes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L) upon his arrival during an official ceremony at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on June 22, 2022.

Turkey’s Erdogan heads to Saudi Arabia for talks with MBS, Pakistan’s Sharif

The visit comes as the three countries ramp up coordination to weather the regional fallout from the Iran war.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani meets with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, in Ankara, Aug. 6, 2026.

Syria's Shibani updates Turkey on Kurds' integration, slams Israel during Ankara visit

The visit highlighted Ankara's growing influence in post-Assad Syria, with the two neighbors expanding strategic coordination on security and regional affairs.

Michigan Democratic Senate primary winner Abdul El-Sayed

AIPAC to oppose El-Sayed after major Michigan primary victory

The America Israel Public Affairs Committee said it will work to oppose Abdul El-Sayed’s “radical anti-Israel agenda” as his opponent seeks to paint him as extreme.

Latest News

Turkey's intel chief hosts Libya delegation amid unification push: What to know

Turkish National Intelligence Organization chief Ibrahim Kalin

Israel-Lebanon talks suspended amid escalation, set to resume Thursday

Israeli battle tanks deploy in the village of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah (Eastern Zawtar) in southern Lebanon as pictured from the nearby village of Zawtar al-Gharbiyah (Western Zawtar) on August 2, 2026. Under a US-sponsored agreement signed in June, Lebanon's army is to disarm Hezbollah and the Israeli military is to withdraw from "pilot zones" where Lebanese forces will subsequently deploy. The deal came more than three months after Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East with rocket fire at Israel in suppo

Analysis

How Turkey's PKK amnesty law entwines Kurds' hopes with Erdogan's ambitions

Fighters with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) line up to put their weapons into a pit during a ceremony in Sulaimaniyah, in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, on July 11, 2025.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

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

Fidan

Turkey’s Fidan calls on Arab League to unite against Israel in Egypt meeting

This was the first time in more than a decade that Turkey was invited to join the summit.

Turkish Army Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar (L) escorts Somalia Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheire during an inauguration ceremony of the Turkish military base in Mogadishu on Sept. 30, 2017.

Turkey seeks to set up space rocket launchpad in Somalia

Turkey’s endeavors in Somalia come amid growing tensions in the already volatile Horn of Africa, where a deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland raised concerns of foreign interference.

A car drives past a road signal indicating the Allenby (King Hussein) Bridge crossing point to Jordan (background), Jericho, West Bank, Jan. 28, 2021.

Analysis

First in 30 years: How Allenby Bridge attack could upend Jordan-Israel ties

Despite the strained relationship between Jordan's King Abdullah and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, neither of the governments wishes to see the breakout of violence on the border or the Temple Mount.

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

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas holds up a Vision for Peace map while speaking at the United Nations Security Council, New York, Feb. 11, 2020.

Egypt agreed for Abbas to enter Gaza but Israel refused: Report

After rejecting a request from the Palestinian Authority to allow President Mahmoud Abbas to travel to Gaza via the Erez or Kerem Shalom crossings, Israel reportedly declined a request by Egypt to enable Abbas to enter the strip via the Rafah crossing.

Lammy Blinken

US confirms Russia received ballistic missiles from Iran

The Biden administration announced sanctions on Iran’s flagship airline and individuals it said helped enable the delivery of Iranian drones and missiles to Russia.

Shiite Muslim devotees attend mourning rituals in Iraq's central holy shrine city of Karbala on August 23, 2024 ahead of the Arbaeen commemorations that mark the end of the 40-day mourning period for the seventh century killing of the Prophet Mohamed's grandson Imam Hussein ibn Ali. (Photo by Ali Abdul Wahid / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by ALI ABDUL WAHID/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

On eve of Iran’s Pezeshkian visit, Iraq jostles for Shiite space amid rivalries

Ahead of a top-level visit by Iran’s new president, Iraq seems to be garnering greater attention as the go-to place for Shiites looking for an alternative to its eastern neighbor.

Shelly Kittleson

By Shelly Kittleson

In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics

Iranian missiles are exhibited in a park on January 20, 2024 in Tehran, Iran.

Iran’s alleged missile shipment to Russia: What we know

Recent reports allege Iran sent a shipment of short-range ballistic missiles to Russia to aid in its war in Ukraine; both confirmation and denial of the reports are coming out of Iran.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Chairman of Sudan's Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 6, 2024.

Analysis

What defines China’s interests in Sudan as Xi met Burhan in Beijing?

China’s main concern in the region is the security of oil pipelines that carry South Sudan’s oil through Sudan, said one expert.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Members of Palestinian security forces carry the body of slain Turkish-American International Solidarity Movement activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi.

Erdogan: Turkey plans 'legal steps' for Israel's killing of US-Turkish activist

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vows legal action against Israel in response to the killing of US-Turkish activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi during a protest in the West Bank.

In this picture taken on April 25, 2023, mountains overlook the village of Hiror near the Turkish border in northern Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region, where firefights occur between the Turkish army and fighters from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Turkish soldier killed in PKK clash in Iraqi Kurdistan as Baghdad presses Ankara to withdraw

Recent civilian deaths have reignited calls from Iraqi officials for the withdrawal of thousands of Turkish troops deployed across Iraqi Kurdistan.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (C) and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman (2L) attend the first session of the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Sept. 9, 2023.

Saudi crown prince meets Russia's Lavrov at GCC meetings in Riyadh

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on the sidelines of GCC ministerial meetings in Riyadh.

US CENTCOM chief Michael Kurilla (center right) meets with Israeli military chief Herzi Halevi (center left) on Sept. 9, 2024.

CENTCOM chief in Israel again as tensions on Lebanon border increase

CENTCOM chief Michael Kurilla arrived to Israel, as Hezbollah continues to fire rockets and drones towards the north of the country.