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Politics & Security

A Lebanese army vehicle is parked at the departures area of Beirut's Rafik Hariri airport on April 10, 2026. Israel's military on April 9 warned residents of Beirut's southern suburbs, long a stronghold of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, of imminent strikes and called for them to evacuate. While Israel regularly issues evacuation warnings before bombing the southern suburbs, the announcement also included the outskirts of Lebanon's only international airport. (Photo by Anwar AMRO / AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon boosts army presence in Beirut as Hezbollah slams Israel talks: What to know

The Lebanese government’s openness to talks with Israel has angered Hezbollah while its efforts to assert authority in Beirut has won praise from Gulf states.

TOPSHOT - Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli strike that targeted an area in Beirut on April 8, 2026. Israel launched a series of strikes on Beirut on April 8, the most violent attack on the Lebanese capital since the start of war. The strikes came as Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah, which drew Lebanon into the Middle East war by attacking Israel on March 2, claimed it was close to a "historic victory". (Photo by Dylan COLLINS / AFP via Getty Images) /

Analysis

Ahead of Washington talks, Israel has little choice but to accept ceasefire in Lebanon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had little choice but to agree to direct talks with Beirut as it became clear that Hezbollah is unlikely to be quickly disarmed.

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

This picture taken on Oct. 19, 2020 in Istanbul shows Turkey's third drilling ship 'Kanuni' as it enters the bosphorus near Haydarpasa port.

Turkey launches first overseas drilling mission in Somalia: What to know

A drilling ship has reached Somalia to start Turkey's first overseas drilling mission as regional rivalry heats up in the Horn of Africa.

Latest News

US to host Lebanon-Israel talks next week in first such meeting

Israeli military vehicles drive along a road in southern Lebanon, near the Israeli border on April 8, 2026. Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military had carried out a surprise attack on April 8 targeting hundreds of Hezbollah members across Lebanon. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP via Getty Images) /

UAE says no more 'niceties' with Iran, seeks clarity on fragile truce terms

TOPSHOT - People watch from a street as a tall smoke plume billows following an explosion in the Fujairah industrial zone on March 3, 2026. Iran's strikes on Gulf neighbours since February 28, following the US-Israeli attack, forced the UAE to shut its airspace, blindsiding travellers who thought they were headed to one of the region's safest holiday destinations. (Photo by Fadel SENNA / AFP via Getty Images)

United Arab Emirates

Lebanon rejects Iran negotiating on its behalf, PM says only Beirut handles talks

This picture taken on April 9, 2026, shows the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the Basta neighbourhood of Beirut the day before. Calls were mounting for the ceasefire between the US and Iran to be extended to Israel's war with Hezbollah, after a massive wave of Israeli strikes on Lebanon killed more than 200 people. (Photo by FADEL itani / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Ceasefire or strategic pause? How Iran is framing war narrative amid deep mistrust

Iranians hold national flags as they gather in Tehran's Revolution Square after the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, on April 8, 2026 in Tehran, Iran.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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

Border crossing

39 Palestinian prisoners freed under Hamas-Israel deal

By agreement, 150 Palestinians are expected to be released from Israeli jails, while 50 hostages held by Hamas will be turned over during a four-day cease-fire in Gaza.

Forlorn Israeli soldier, hostages

Breaking | Last Updated: November 24, 2023, 6:44 pm

Hamas releases 13 Israeli hostages

After a one-day delay, the Qatar-mediated deal for the liberation of hostages held in Gaza is underway.

Rafah border crossing 1

Day 49 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Friday, Nov. 24

Jordan water

Analysis

How detrimental is Gaza war to Jordan-Israel climate cooperation, water security? 

Responding to domestic pressure, Jordan has called off a deal to exchange its solar energy for desalinated water from Israel, but it has no good solutions for its own water crisis.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

This photo taken on Sept. 21, 2016, shows Britain's Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet.

Turkey, UK sign defense deal as Ankara presses for Eurofighter jets

The move comes as Ankara ramps up its push to purchase 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets amid the absence of any progress on the Turkish bid to buy 40 new F-16 jets from the United States.

A man walks by photos of hostages held in the Gaza Strip at in the Museum of Modern Art, Tel Aviv, Israel, Nov. 22, 2023.

Qatar says Hamas-Israel temporary cease-fire to begin Friday morning

The breakthrough agreement, which was delayed by a day, will see the release of 50 hostages held captive by Hamas in exchange for a four-day truce in Gaza.

Hostage demonstrators White House Israel

Day 48 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Thursday, Nov. 23

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas (L) and Former Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert hold a briefing on US President Donald Trump's Mideast plan on February 11, 2020 in New York. - Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas told the UN Security Council that the world should reject President Donald Trump's Middle East plan, which he said would limit Palestinian sovereignty in a "Swiss cheese" deal. "We reject the Israeli-American plan," which "throws into question the legitimate rights of the Palestinians," Abbas s

Analysis

Israel’s Olmert calls for international force to manage post-war Gaza

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says that Israel must withdraw completely from the Gaza Strip once the military operation is over, and he calls for Netanyahu to be replaced immediately — not just when the war is over.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Gaye Erkan

Breaking | Last Updated: November 23, 2023, 10:50 am

Turkey’s Central Bank delivers larger-than-expected rate hike

The decision comes after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said earlier this week that the lira's depreciation has come to an end.

Forces loyal to Yemen's Huthi rebels hold up Palestinian flags as they march in a show of solidarity with the Palestinians on October 15, 2023, in Sanaa. (Photo by MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Will Yemen's Houthis move on Marib oil fields as Gaza war diverts world's attention?

Kate Dourian

In Dubai, reporting on energy

Smoke billows following an Israeli strike on the southern Lebanese town of Kfar Kila near the border with Israel on November 22, 2023, amid increasing cross-border tensions as fighting continues with Hamas militants in the southern Gaza Strip. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Breaking | Last Updated: November 22, 2023, 8:00 pm

Son of Hezbollah parliament leader killed in Israeli strike: reports

The death could mark a major escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon amid the Gaza war.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) shakes hands with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas during their meeting in Jordan's capital Amman on October 13, 2023. Blinken began on October 12 a tour of Arab capitals as he seeks to build pressure on Hamas while Israel readies a likely massive offensive on the Gaza Strip following the militants' attacks. (Photo by Jacquelyn Martin / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JACQUELYN MARTIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

US wants a 'revitalized' Palestinian Authority, but can Abbas deliver?

The recent call by US President Joe Biden for Gaza and the West Bank to be reunited under "a revitalized Palestinian Authority" has left many questioning what this might look like.