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Politics & Security

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with King of Jordan Abdullah II during a signing ceremony at The Great Hall Of The People on Sept. 9, 2015, in Beijing, China.

Jordan's King Abdullah heads to China in first visit since 2015: What to know

Ahead of the visit, King Abdullah said that Jordan hopes to expand cooperation with China in green energy, tourism and aviation.

Smoke rises after explosions were heard and air defences activated near the airport in Erbil, on July 24, 2026.

Explainer

Why Iran targeted Barzani family stronghold in Iraqi Kurdistan

Iran’s Kurdish opposition groups have turned Iraqi Kurdistan into a frontline in the war.

AFP via Getty Images

US general meets Lebanon’s army chief as ceasefire with Israel teeters

Control over a strategic ridge overlooking Nabatieh is emerging as a flashpoint between the Israeli military and Lebanon ahead of the next expected round of negotiations in September.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the David S. Mack Center for Training and Intelligence on Aug. 14, 2026 in Garden City, New York.

Trump threatens to bomb Oman if it 'gets in the way' of US-Iran deal

The US president also threatened to "blow up" the Gulf partner in May.

Latest News

Analysis

RSF turns to drones, new fronts as Sudan battlefield pressure grows

View of some wreckage after the Rapid Support Forces targeted several civilian facilities in Al-Rahad Abu Dakna, one of the largest cities in North Kordofan, on the national highway linking Kosti and el-Obeid, July 25, 2026.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Analysis

Inside Netanyahu's bet on divided opposition to secure another term

Gadi Eisenkot

Mazal Mualem

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

Analysis

How Israel's rivalry, defense deals prompted Turkey to join Mecca pact

Fireworks explode over Islamabad

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

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

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud attends a meeting with his Russian counterpart in Moscow on March 9, 2023.

Saudi foreign minister arrives in Syria, meets Assad

The visit is Prince Faisal bin Farhan's first since the start of the civil war and follows the Syrian foreign minister's trip to Saudi Arabia last week.

Iranian and Saudi foreign ministers in China

Analysis

Saudi-Israeli normalization drifts further away as Riyadh courts Iran

The planned visit by a Hamas delegation to Riyadh reflects Saudi Arabia's new diplomatic priorities, which do not include normalization with Israel.

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

People run past a military vehicle amid clashes in the city, Khartoum, Sudan, April 15, 2023.

US convoy attacked as rival forces clash in Sudan

Following an attack on the EU ambassador in Khartoum and a US diplomatic convoy, the United States called on the parties to the current conflict to secure the safety of diplomatic personnel.

Smoke billows above residential buildings in Khartoum on April 16, 2023.

Alarm in Washington as Sudan slips into chaos

More than 180 people are dead after three days of heavy fighting between the Sudanese army and a rival paramilitary force.

The Horn of Africa

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel meet with Reza Pahlavi, son of late Iranian Shah, Jerusalem, April 17 2023.

Son of Iran’s shah Pahlavi arrives in Israel on controversial visit

Reza and Yasmine Pahlavi arrived in Tel Aviv on Monday in a visit that could further fuel tension between Iran and Israel

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attends the opening ceremony of the Istanbul Financial Center, on April 17, 2023, in Istanbul.

Turkey's Erdogan opens half-empty financial hub in Istanbul ahead of polls

Incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan denies the country is facing an economic crisis, while attacking the opposition for making backroom deals with money lenders.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a day ahead of his scheduled meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Palestinian President Abbas visits Saudi Arabia to ‘strengthen’ relations

Abbas’ visit follows reports in regional media that a Hamas delegation was going to visit the kingdom.

Smoke billows above residential buildings in east Khartoum on April 16, 2023, as fighting in Sudan raged for a second day in battles between rival generals. - Violence erupted early on April 15 after weeks of deepening tensions between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, commander of the heavily-armed paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with each accusing the other of starting the fight. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Sudan death toll nears 100 as civilians flee, power struggle continues

Several countries have called for restraint after rival forces engaged in bloody clashes in Sudan.

The Horn of Africa

Burhan

Analysis

Sudan turmoil throws wrench into normalization with Israel

Sudanese leaders declared a few months ago that full normalization with Israel will take place only when a civilian transition government is established, now less likely than ever as military infighting continues.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Fresh Turkey strikes in Syria kill 10 Kurdish militants: Ankara

Turkish troops have killed 10 Kurdish militants in a cross-border escalation ongoing since the weekend, according to the Turkish Defense Ministry.

Syrian Kurdish Asayish security forces walk past a house during a raid against suspected Islamic State fighters in Raqqa, Syria, Jan. 29, 2023.

Islamic State attacks truffle hunters, shepherds in Syria

US forces reported killing a senior Islamic State official in Syria as the group's resurgence continues.

A general view shows a burnt out vehicle next to a banner bearing the Islamic State group's flag in the village of Dibsiafnan on the western outskirts of the Islamist's Syrian bastion of Raqa, after Syrian pro-government forces entered the area on June 11, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / George OURFALIAN (Photo credit should read GEORGE OURFALIAN/AFP via Getty Images)

US forces kill senior Islamic State official in pre-dawn Syria raid: official

Local reports said several US helicopters were involved in an operation in an area controlled by the opposition Suqour al-Sham militia.