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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

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.

DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Russia ups mediation efforts between Turkey, Syria as Assad drags feet

While Turkey is embracing Russia's role in attempting to mediate between Ankara and Damascus, the Syrian government wants a timetable for Turkey withdrawing its troops from the country.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture