How building code spared one Turkish town from earthquake

A mayor in devastated Hatay province says his town escaped the destruction seen elsewhere thanks in part to enforcement of construction codes.

Turkey

NATO chief in Turkey, urges swift ratification of Sweden, Finland memberships

In Ankara, NATO chief made first visit after the earthquake, and pressed for Finland and Sweden to join the alliance together.

Turkey

Europe to sanction Iran drone companies for arming Russia in Ukraine

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen called on member states to adopt a 10th sanctions package against Russia that also includes a ban on Iranian companies.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Quake disaster delivers diplomatic silver lining for Turkey

Post-quake solidarity has warmed Turkey’s ties with Greece, Armenia and Israel, but no thaw is seen between Turkey and Syria despite their common suffering from the disaster.

Turkey

The Takeaway: Settlement plans test Biden’s Israel approach 

Plus, the family of an American held by Syria grows more concerned after the earthquake, and the US expresses alarm over Tunisia's wave of recent arrests.

Israel

Analysis

Will Turkey-Syria earthquake redraw the fault lines of geopolitics?

As in previous decades and centuries, geologic rumblings could be followed by political upheavals in both countries.

By Gilles Kepel

Meet Lisa Johnson, US nominee to be ambassador to Lebanon

Lisa Johnson has a background fighting the drug trade, which could relate to Lebanon’s role as a transit point for illegal Captagon.

Lebanon

Earthquake orphans in Turkey, Syria face uncertain future 

Thousands of requests poured into Turkey’s Social Affairs Ministry to foster children who survived last week's quakes, but the ministry maintains that its priority is to reunite kids with families or relatives, if they can. 

Turkey

Israel approves law to deport Palestinians convicted of terrorism

A diverse Knesset majority passed a bill to strip the Israeli citizenship or residency of prisoners convicted of terrorism who receive stipends from the Palestinian Authority.

Israel

Analysis

Can Israel's ultra-Orthodox punish women for 'immodest dress code' at Western Wall?

Though Israel's Shas party has been forced to back away from its proposed dress code for the Western Wall, many Israelis are still outraged by the audacious proposition.

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

US defense intelligence confirms Iran’s drone use in Ukraine

The Pentagon report comes a day after the UK government turned over weapons and other evidence to the United Nations that Iran had attempted to ship to Yemen's Houthi rebels in violation of international law.

Iran

Explainer: Why Syria’s Assad opened two border crossings for earthquake aid

Aid has reached both Syrian government and rebel territory in response to the disaster, but the situation remains dire.

Syria