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Politics & Security

Ali al-Zaidi

Breaking | Last Updated: April 27, 2026, 3:43 pm

Iraq's Shiite alliance nominates Ali al-Zaidi as PM candidate: What to know

Ali al-Zaidi, who leads a bank accused of money laundering, received support from previous nominee Nouri al-Maliki and incumbent Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, though it remains unclear whether the Trump administration will approve of him.

Lebanese president Joseph Aoun (L) stands next to the parliament speaker Nabih Berri as he delivers a speech at the parliament building in Beirut Jan. 9, 2025.

'Treason is war for external interests': Lebanon’s Aoun hits back at Hezbollah

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun rejects Hezbollah’s criticism of talks with Israel, insisting negotiations are aimed at ending hostilities and saying “treason” is taking the country to war for external interests.

Turkey's submarines and fast-attack craft ships 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.

Turkey’s military spending jumps to $30B, leads Mideast growth in 2025

Newly released data shows Ankara’s military spending hit $30 billion, while Saudi Arabia remained the region’s top spender and Israel’s outlays declined in 2025.

Iran FM meets Putin and Russia’s military intel chief as talks stall: What to know

Iran FM meets Putin, Russia’s military intel chief as talks stall: What to know

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi headed to Russia following visits to Pakistan and Oman over the weekend as talks with Washington are at a standstill.

Latest News

Analysis

Turning point on Israel? Democrats’ Senate vote signals shift driven by Iran, Gaza wars

The US Capitol building is shown on April 20, 2026, in Washington.

Jared Szuba

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

Why US, Israel are freezing France out of Lebanon talks

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks to journalists as he arrives for an informal meeting of the European Council in Nicosia, Cyprus, April 24, 2026.

Analysis

Why Saudi Arabia, Egypt are wary of Turkey’s proposed 4-way defense pact with Pakistan

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan hosted the third meeting of the foreign ministers of Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on the margins of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, on April 17, 2026.

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

Lebanon parliament

2022 in review: Lebanon in paralysis, fails ten times to elect President

Head of Lebanese Army General Joseph Aoun is emerging as potential presidential candidate in Lebanon after a year of political dysfunction, rising poverty and economic collapse in country

Demonstrators, some hold banners with the image of Mahsa Amini, march by the federal chancellery in solidarity with protesters in Iran on October 15, 2022 in Berlin, Germany.(Photo by Omer Messinger/Getty Images)

2022 in review: Iran's Khamenei faces unprecedented challenge with protests, economic woes

Iran is limping into 2023 with a youth uprising that has taught existential fear to its once omnipotent theocracy.

Omar Havana/ Getty Images

Turkish-Syrian normalization continues as top diplomats meet

Turkey's foreign minister says Ankara wants to cooperate with the Syrian regime but will not let that get in the way of its fight against terrorism.

AMIR COHEN/AFP via Getty Images

Netanyahu takes PM seat as Israel's new far-right government sworn in

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has presented to his new cabinet amid yelling on the Knesset floor and protests outside.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

2022 in review: Turkey wraps up year of regional resets but more whiplash ahead

As 2022 forced the Turkish government to reverse course with regional powers, this election year is expected to usher in even more change in Turkey’s foreign policy.

US President Joe Biden (L) and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (R) arrive for the family photo during the Jeddah Security and Development Summit (GCC+3) at a hotel in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah on July 16, 2022. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

2022 in review: The year that broke US relations with OPEC+

After a tumultuous year for US-Saudi ties, there is little reason to expect US-OPEC+ tensions to ease in 2023.

Amir Levy/Getty Images

With discrimination protections at risk, protests planned across Israel

Entrepreneurs, retired judges, municipalities and academics all are warning against the new government's stated intention to amend Israel's anti-discrimination law.

Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar holds a joint press conference with the UN Secretary-General at the Joint Coordination Center established in Istanbul for the safe shipment of grain products from the Black Sea region in Istanbul on Aug. 20, 2022.

Turkish, Syrian defense chiefs hold landmark meeting in Russia

The defense ministers' meeting in Moscow was the first official engagement between Damascus and Ankara in more than a decade.

Meral Aksener, the leader of the Iyi Party and the only female chairman at the opposition's Table of Six, addresses women on Dec. 25, 2022.

Turkish leaders woo women voters as election year closes in

The Turkish government and right-wing parties are making a hard sell of their policies on women’s issues from domestic violence to child abuse.

Ali Daei takes to the stage during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final Draw.

Iran forces plane carrying soccer legend's family to land

To many Iranians, the move revealed the lengths authorities were willing to go to in their crackdown on critics.

Protesters hold roses while taking part in a demonstration to pay tribute to the Enghien Street shooting victims in Paris on Dec. 23, 2022.

Turkey urges France to ban PKK 'propaganda' after Paris shooting

Summoning France’s ambassador, Turkey expresses concern regarding "anti-Turkish propaganda" in Paris demonstrations.

Israeli right-wing Knesset member Itamar Ben-Gvir (R) chats with incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L).

Netanyahu puts Iran, Saudi Arabia at top of agenda

Incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated several times that he aspires to normalize ties with Saudi Arabia, but with his pro-settler right-wing partners, the chances of that happening are slim to none.