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Politics & Security

Lebanese soldiers standing atop a military vehicle in Alma Al-Shaab, near the border with Israel in southern Lebanon, on Nov. 28, 2025.

Lebanon’s army chief in Washington as Hezbollah disarmament enters critical phase

Gen. Rodolphe Haykal is seeking US support for what is likely to be a cautious approach to expanding the geographic scope of the Lebanese army's efforts to disarm Hezbollah.

Sudanese army soldiers parade in the streets of eastern Sudan's city of Gedaref on Aug. 14, 2025, to mark the 71st anniversary of the formation of the Sudanese army.

RSF shells Sudan’s Kordofan as US-Saudi truce plan stalls: What to know

Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces have launched drone and artillery attacks in Dilling, just a week after the Sudanese army said it broke a nearly two-year siege on the town.

A state building is covered with a giant anti-US billboard depicting a symbolic image of the destroyed USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in downtown Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Iran arrests Oscar-nominated writer, civil rights figures in expanding crackdown

Iranian authorities arrested three prominent activists over the weekend, including Oscar-nominated screenwriter and journalist Mehdi Mahmoudian as arrests surge across Iran.

Syrian Democratic Forces fighters stand on a pick-up truck to provide security during an inspection of SDF positions on the Tell Brak frontline in Syria on Jan. 26, 2026.

France's role in Syria-SDF agreement: What to know

French diplomatic sources highlight the role played by Paris in recent months in reaching an agreement between the Sharaa government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

Latest News

Iraq's Shiite bloc holds talks with Kurds as deadlock on president, PM persists

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani meets the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Masrour Barzani, in Erbil on Monday.

UAE’s MBZ reportedly cancels Japan visit amid US-Iran standoff: What to know

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrives for a welcoming ceremony prior to talks with the Russian president at the Kremlin in Moscow, on Jan. 29, 2026.

United Arab Emirates

Meet Kuwait’s newest ministers in latest government shake-up

YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey emerges as possible host for US-Iran talks: What to know

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (R) and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi (L) give a statement at the Ritz Hotel as they meet on Jan. 30, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey.

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

Palestinian protesters run for cover as Israeli forces fire teargas during clashes following a protest against a march by Israeli settlers to the wildcat settlement outpost of Homesh, in the village of Burqa, West Bank, April 19, 2022.

Israeli settler kills Palestinian in Burqa, seven arrested

After arresting two settlers over the fatal incident at the West Bank town of Burqa, where a young Palestinian was killed, police have detained five Palestinians on suspicion of riots and attacks.

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

China 'participated actively’ in Ukraine peace talks in Saudi Arabia

Pro-Kyiv Western countries had failed to secure China’s presence at previous Ukraine peace talks.

Bullet-ridden buildings are seen at the Ain el-Hilweh camp following the latest flare-up in the Palestinian refugee camp, Sidon, Lebanon, Aug. 4, 2023.

Why are UAE, Saudi, other Gulf countries issuing Lebanon travel warnings?

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and also Germany and the United Kingdom issued similar travel warnings over the fighting that began July 29 between Fatah and hard-line Islamists at Lebanon's Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp.

OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Grain silo explosion at Turkey's Derince port wounds at least nine

The grain silo explosion hit Turkey's northwestern province of Kocaeli.

TOPSHOT - A member of a Ukrainian volunteer unit and a computer science student Valdemar, 19, poses in the unit's gun position used to counter threats during air-raid sirens, in a suburb of Kyiv on February 28, 2023. - Colonel "Smak" and his Ukrainian volunteer unit of 80 civilian volunteers take turns day and night keeping watch for incoming threats: Iranian-made "Shahed" explosive drones launched by the Russians. Since October, the unit - whose machine gun dates back to the 1920s - has shot down three suc

Analysis

Can Iran's Shahed drones in Ukraine help ease tension with Russia?

Tensions that emerged after Iran summoned the Russian ambassador over Moscow's comments on disputed islands with the UAE has once again highlighted the limits of trust in bilateral relations between the two.

Anton Mardasov

By Anton Mardasov

Karachi port

UAE, Saudi Arabia race for investment in Pakistan

Both Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are prepared to develop closer business ties with less red tape, but experts caution that the Gulf nations stand to benefit most.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran inks deal with Pakistan as pipeline project drags

The five-year partnership seeks to facilitate and double the current bilateral trade, which has been complicated by US sanctions on doing business with Tehran.

Rafale fighter jets are seen with Qatar's colors during a ceremony for the delivery to Qatar of the first of 36 Rafale multipurpose fighter jets from French manufacturer Dassault, Merignac, France, Feb. 6, 2019.

France, UK jostle for defense influence with Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar

France is aiming to bolster its presence as a leading security guarantor and partner in the Gulf, at a time the UK is also seeking to strengthen its ties with GCC countries.

In this photo provided by Saudi Press Agency, SPA, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, left, is greeted by Prince Badr Bin Sultan, deputy governor of Mecca, upon his arrival at Jeddah airport, Saudi Arabia, May 19, 2023, to attend the Arab summit. (Saudi Press Agency via AP)

Analysis

With Ukraine summit, Saudi Arabia boasts mediator role, courts West

One expert believes that the talks will also take Western pressure off the kingdom for its close alignment with Russia.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Navy Gulf

Analysis

Biden considers raising stakes for escalation with Iran in Gulf

Iraq’s quiet may be misleading; Israel-Hezbollah tensions increase; Russia depends more on Iran than the reverse; Raisi visits Africa.

Week in Review

Andrew Parasiliti

By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti

Turkey drone

Turkey conducts drone strike against Kurdish forces in Syria

Turkey is escalating its attacks on the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. Meanwhile, another Islamic State leader has been confirmed dead in the country.

FAIRFORD, ENGLAND - JULY 15: A Dassault Rafale performs at RAF Fairford during the Royal Military Air Tattoo on July 15, 2023 in Fairford, England. Up to 150,000 people are expected to attend The Royal International Air Tattoo this weekend. It is the world's largest military air show, held annually in July, in support of The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust. (Photo by Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)

France challenges US defense industry in Middle East as Rafale fighter jet sales outshine F-35

Middle East states have lined up to buy the French warplane over rival US-made F-35s.

Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech