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Politics & Security

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) listens to a speech by his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, Jerusalem, Feb. 25, 2026.

Could Israel-US war on Iran save Netanyahu’s political future?

It remains unclear whether the Israeli prime minister will get a "victory photo" to rescue his image after the security debacle and Hamas attack in October 2023.

Ali IHSAN OZTURK / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

No strangers to turmoil, Turkey-Iran to maintain ties under Mojtaba Khamenei

Even as war heighten tensions between Ankara and Tehran, the mix of rivalry and pragmatic cooperation that has long defined Turkey–Iran relations is likely to endure.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

AFP via Getty Images

Oil fires, toxic air and water risks: Environmental cost of Iran war expands to region

The bombing of oil facilities in Iran and critical water infrastructure in the Gulf threatens the Middle East with long-lasting environmental destruction, as have similar tactics employed in previous conflicts.

A billboard shows a graphic depicting Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei with military commanders, as people attend the annual anti-Israeli Quds Day on March 13, 2026, in Tehran, Iran.

Analysis

How Iran's IRGC is charting war course beyond Khamenei's heir

While Iran projects continuity under Mojtaba Khamenei, the IRGC is orchestrating the country's wartime posture, consolidating authority and preparing for a protracted conflict.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Latest News

Analysis

Hamas sits out Iran war as Gaza, Gulf interests take priority

Displaced Palestinians gather for a fast-breaking Iftar meal amid the rubble of destroyed buildings at the Jabalia refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip, during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, Feb. 23, 2026.

Abeer Ayyoub

By Abeer Ayyoub

In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine

Analysis

Hormuz dilemma denies Trump administration easy exit from Iran war

AFP via Getty Images

Jared Szuba

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

Pentagon: Iran's missiles, not mines, pose main threat to Hormuz shipping

A missile launches from IRIS Sabalan, an Alvand-class frigate of the Iranian Navy, during the Velayat 91 drill in the Gulf of Oman on Jan. 1, 2013.

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

Steve Witkoff, the US Special Envoy for the Middle East, and Jared Kushner meet with UAE National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, Oct. 22, 2025.

Kushner, Witkoff meet with UAE’s Sheikh Tahnoon as US pushes to reinforce Gaza ceasefire

The visit by the American envoys to the UAE comes right after their visit to Israel in an attempt to stabilize President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan.

United Arab Emirates

Residents of the city of Gabes carry placards during a demonstration on Oct. 15, 2025, to demand the closure of chemical factories.

Over 200 hospitalized in Tunisia’s Gabes as anger over pollution crisis grows

President Kais Saied is facing one of his biggest challenges yet as demands for the closure of the city’s phosphate processing plant increase.

Hamas fighters gather at the site of the handing over of two Israeli hostages in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Feb. 22, 2025.

Interview

Trump's back channel to Hamas says militants could cede heavy weapons in disarmament deal

Bishara Bahbah says he recently relayed messages between the Trump administration and Hamas concerning the handover of the deceased hostages.

Bishara Bahbah

Bishara Bahbah

Founder, Arab Americans for Peace

OMAR ALBAW/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Syria targets francophone jihadis as Sharaa navigates Western pressure

Government troops encircled a francophone militant camp as authorities negotiate the surrender of its leader amid broader concerns over foreign fighters and regional security.

Iraqi national security adviser Qasim al-Araji meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in Tehran, on Oct. 20, 2025.

Iraq's security chief visits Iran, steps up border and railway cooperation: What to know

Iraqi national security adviser Qasim al-Araji’s trip to Iran focused on efforts to deal with Kurdish groups on the border and a much-delayed railway linkage between the two countries.

Iran International broadcast

Iran's state TV doxxes journalists in Israel as post-war spy hunt intensifies

Since its June war with Israel, Iran has executed at least 9 people on charges of espionage.

Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani

Turkey, Qatar sign defense deal as Ankara eyes Doha’s Eurofighters

The Turkish president’s visit to Qatar during his Gulf tour largely centered on defense ties and Qatar’s little-used Eurofighters, as Ankara moves to quickly rebuild its air power.

NATHAN HOWARD/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Vance cautions Gaza truce 'tough task' as Knesset pushes West Bank bill

Vice President JD Vance expressed optimism about disarming Hamas and rebuilding Gaza, noting Arab countries are ready to help.

Ukrainian explosives experts and police officers examine parts of a Shahed-136 military drone following an air attack in Kharkiv on June 4, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Iran, Poland clash on Russia drone sales exposes Tehran’s fragile position in Europe

The public spat between the Iranian and Polish foreign ministers over Tehran's drone sales to Russia underscores Iran's growing diplomatic isolation, as the Ukraine conflict and the recent Israel war further strain its ties with the outside world.