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Politics & Security

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Yemen’s Houthis claim new attack on Aramco refinery in Saudi Arabia: What to know

The strike follows a deadly Houthi attack on a ship in the Red Sea as the renewed conflict take its toll on shipping.

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.

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

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.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Explainer

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

SPA

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

US President Joe Biden, joined by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, delivers remarks on the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel in the State Dining Room of the White House, Washington, Oct. 10, 2023.

In Israel, Biden says hospital blast appears done by 'other team'

Upon his arrival in Israel, US President Biden said that the blast at al-Ahli hospital in Gaza appears to have been committed by the Palestinians, without naming Hamas or Islamic Jihad.

Lebanon protest

Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt condemn Israel over Gaza hospital blast

Gaza officials said hundreds were killed in the strike against the al-Ahli hospital, and the incident constitutes a major escalation in Israel’s war with Hamas.

Shiite Muslim clerics chant slogans during an anti-Israel rally in solidarity with the Palestinian people organised by supporters of the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah in Lebanon's southern city of Nabatieh on October 13, 2023. Thousands of people, both Israeli and Palestinians have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants entered Israel in a surprise attack leading Israel to declare war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip on October 8. (Photo by MAHMOUD ZAYYAT / AFP) (Photo by MAHMOUD ZAYYA

Hezbollah calls for 'day of anger' as Biden heads to Israel, Gaza war rages

Cross-border fire has been ongoing between Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement and Israel in southern Lebanon since Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel last weekend.

MICHAEL KAPPELER/AFP via Getty Images

Europe’s leaders express solidarity in Israel as EU searches for consensus

On a solidarity visit, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said it is his country's duty to protect the state and the people of Israel.

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Turkey extends mandate for military operations in Syria, Iraq

The Turkish parliament’s extension of the mandate for another two years comes amid rising tensions between Turkey and the United States.

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during the official dinner at the Palace of Brigades, as part of the Western Balkans summit on European Union integration, Tirana, Albania, Oct. 16, 2023.

France’s Macron denounces first Hamas video of French-Israeli Gaza hostage

Hamas published a first video showing one of the hostages currently held in Gaza — French-Israeli Mia Shem.

Two MV-22B Ospreys of the USMC take part in training during the joint Israeli-US military "Juniper Cobra" exercise at the Tze'elim urban warfare training centre (UWTC) base in southern Israel on March 12, 2018.

Iran’s Khamenei threatens US as Pentagon readies 2,000 troops for region

The Pentagon has ordered some 2,000 US military personnel readied to respond to the fallout of Israel’s war in Gaza and extended the deployment of the USS Ford carrier strike group.

Israeli soldiers deploy near the border with Gaza on October 17, 2023. US President Joe Biden will visit Israel on October 18 in a show of "ironclad" support as Washington tries to prevent the escalating war against Hamas in Gaza from spilling into a wider Middle East conflict. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Distrusting Netanyahu, US takes oversight role in Israel's Hamas war

The two visits to Israel by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, another by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and the expected arrival on Wednesday of President Joe Biden reflect American concerns over the outbreak of a regional war.

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

children in hospital

Day 11 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Tuesday, Oct. 17

Eleven days into the fighting between Israel and Hamas, nearly 1 million are now displaced in Gaza as rocket barrages continue in the direction of Israel and the Israeli bombardment intensifies on the enclave.

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at Tioga Marine Terminal on October 13, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Biden discussed how his Bidenomics agenda is creating good-paying union jobs, investing in infrastructure, accelerating the transition to a clean energy future, and combatting the climate crisis.(Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)

Biden to visit Israel as US pushes humanitarian corridor for Gaza

Washington appears to have bought more time for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, but US officials say they are not placing conditions on weapons delivered to Israel nor dictating to the IDF on its operational plans.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken walks into a building with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu speaks with UAE president in first call with Arab leader since Hamas attack

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the first Arab leader with whom Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.

A Palestinian van carrying a family and their belongings arrives at the Rafah refugee camp, in the southern Gaza Strip on Oct. 15, 2023.

European Union launches humanitarian air bridge for Gazans via Egypt

The European Union will start sending humanitarian aid for displaced Gaza residents, including shelters, medicines and hygiene kits.