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Politics & Security

A man inspects the damage at the site of a strike in Bartalla, in the northern Iraq's Nineveh province, after US-Saudi attacks on militias, July 29, 2026.

Iraq intel and security officials visit Saudi Arabia after drone attacks

Iraqi authorities are cracking down on drone attacks after US and Saudi airstrikes targeted Iran-backed militias in the country.

Ebrahim HAMID / AFP via Getty Images

Sudan’s RSF attacks Khartoum, seizes border town: What to know

Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have escalated attacks after suffering setbacks more than three years into the civil war.

Servicemen of Yavuz class, TCG Turgutreis (F-241), warship stand at attention on the deck as they participate in the live-fire phase of the "Blue Homeland-2026" (Mavi Vatan) tactical military exercises in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, in Antalya on April 9, 2026.

Exclusive

Turkey set to sign charter for Saudi-led Red Sea coalition on Friday

Ankara pledged support for the proposed multinational alliance last month, but Friday’s expected signing will mark its formal entry into the Saudi-led grouping.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

SPA

Explainer

Three ways China benefits from Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan pact: What to know

The pact points to a more multipolar Middle Eastern security order, one in which Washington is no longer the unquestioned center of Gulf security.

Latest News

Iran’s Hormuz authority denies Trump claims of control over strait: What to know

Children swimming in the Strait of Hormuz

Explainer

Who benefits from Lebanon’s amnesty law and why it is controversial

FADEL itani / AFP via Getty Images

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

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Blinken ends Middle East tour in Turkey, no Gaza 'humanitarian pause' in sight

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken completed his Middle East tour in Turkey as anti-US protests ramped up in the country.

Haniyeh meets Khamenei

Hamas leader meets Iran’s Khamenei in Tehran

Iran is the main financial backer of Hamas. Its proxies across the region have increased attacks on US and Israeli targets in recent weeks.

Pro-Palestinian supporters pray while gathering during an anti US and anti Israel demonstration in front of the US Consulate in Johannesburg, on November 04, 2023.

South Africa recalls diplomats in Israel, cites 'genocide' in Gaza

The South African government on Monday recalled its diplomats from Israel and took aim at Israel's ambassador in Pretoria, calling his position in the country "untenable."

Israeli war cabinet

Israeli minister who called to nuke Gaza votes in cabinet meeting, despite suspension

Asked on the radio if Israel should throw a nuclear bomb at Gaza, Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu responded, "that’s one option."

An Israeli artillery unit fires from the Israeli side of the border toward the Gaza Strip on Nov. 6, 2023, in southern Israel.

Day 31 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Monday, Nov. 6

The USS Florida, an Ohio-class submarine, sails during "Giant Shadow," a Naval Sea Systems Command/Naval Submarine Forces exercise to test the capabilities of the Navy's future guided missile submarines Jan. 22, 2003 off the coast of the Bahamas.

Day 30 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Sunday, Nov. 5

A woman holds a poster of Israeli hostage Omer Neutra during a memorial vigil for the Israeli people killed by Hamas during the October 7 attack, in New York City on November 1, 2023. Thousands of civilians, both Palestinians and Israelis, have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip entered southern Israel in an unprecedented attack triggering a war declared by Israel on Hamas with retaliatory bombings on Gaza. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEI

Analysis

Families of Israeli hostages frustrated with Netanyahu government, urge talks

The families of kidnapped Israelis and foreign nationals worry that the Israeli government's dual goals of the Gaza operation — eliminating Hamas and rescuing all the hostages — are incompatible with one another.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Gaza fighting

Analysis

Skepticism surrounds European role in a Gaza peacekeeping force

The IDF's main war objectives are to destroy Hamas and ensure the safe return of the hostages. If they succeed in their first aim, there will need to be a plan for Gaza's governance.

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

Yahia al-Sinwar (C), Gaza Strip chief of the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement.

Analysis

Hamas 'victories' coming with heavy political cost, missed opportunities

Hamas' Oct. 7 attack seems to have been planned with specific goals in mind, yet without considering the wider consequences for the movement.

Khaled Al Hroub

By Khaled Al Hroub

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wears a scarf with both Turkish and Palestinian flags as he addresses a rally organised by the AKP party in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza, in Istanbul on October 28, 2023.

Turkey recalls ambassador to Israel ahead of Blinken’s visit

While Turkey and Israel’s recalling of their respective ambassadors marks a serious setback for a diplomatic reset, the Turkish president said Saturday that cutting off diplomatic ties with Israel was “out of the question.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends a meeting with regional foreign ministers in Amman, Jordan, on November 4, 2023.

Day 29 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Saturday, Nov. 4

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin welcomes Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman to the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on November 1, 2023. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi defense chief concludes US trip, seeks security assurances as Gaza rages

Prince Khalid bin Salman’s preplanned trip included meetings with top US officials. Saudi Arabia is concerned that the war between Israel and Hamas could hurt its interests.