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Politics & Security

Iraq's prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, at Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's office on April 28, 2026.

Trump congratulates Iraq PM-designate Zaidi in call: What to know

The US President was openly critical of previous nominee Nouri al-Maliki, seen as too close to Iran, but is now welcoming the new candidate put forward by Iraq’s leading Shiite bloc.

This photo obtained by AFP from the Iranian news agency Tasnim shows an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) boat allegedly taking part in an operation to seize ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, on April 21, 2026.

Trump faces three paths ahead in Iran war as Hormuz standoff intensifies

As the Hormuz standoff threatens a global economic chill, Trump must choose between military escalation, seeking a partial deal with Iran, or waiting out the pressure campaign.

AFP via Getty Images

In defiant message, Iran’s Khamenei threatens US but appeals to Gulf

The address was Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s third since coming to power and included a pledge to rid the Gulf of the US.

Latest News

Turkey warns France over Cyprus troop deployment: What to know

Members of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), from the British Army's 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, No. 2 Company, patrol along the buffer zone separating the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus and the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the divided capital Nicosia on Feb. 17, 2026.

US blockade tests Iran's limits, but will global pain force Trump’s hand?

QESHM ISLAND, IRAN - APRIL 28: Boats navigate the sea on April 28, 2026 on Qeshm Island, Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's latest proposal for ending its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz calls on the United States to end its naval blockade of Iran's ports, and sets aside questions about what to do with Iran's nuclear program. The United States has not formally responded to the latest proposal, which was delivered by Iran's foreign minister to Pakistan two days ago. (Photo by Asghar Besharati/Getty Images

Iran-linked group claims stabbing in Jewish area in London: What to know

Local residents look on from outside a cordoned off area in the Golders Green neighborhood of north London on April 29, 2026, following the stabbing to two people nearby.

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

Former national security adviser John Bolton.

US charges Iranian over alleged plot to kill John Bolton

This is the second high-profile case in two years where Iranian operatives allegedly sought to harm a US citizen.

An Iraqi supporter of Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in Baghdad's high-security Green Zone on Aug. 4, 2022.

Iraq's Sadr calls on judiciary to dissolve parliament

Populist Shiite cleric Muqtada Sadr presses on the Judiciary to dissolve the parliament as a preparation for early elections.

Israeli Prime Minister and Yesh Atid party leader Yair Lapid speaks during the party's opening election campaign rally ahead of Israel's general elections, Tel Aviv, Israel, Aug. 3, 2022.

Comparing Ukraine with Gaza, Russia accuses Israel of hypocrisy

Moscow argues that Prime Minister Yair Lapid cannot condemn Russia for alleged war crimes while attacking the Gaza Strip.

A handout picture provided by the Iranian army's official website on Sept. 11, 2020, shows an Iranian Simorgh drone carrying a weapon.

Iran trained Russians on using armed drones, US intel says

The Pentagon has warned Iran not to provide armed drones to Russia for use in Ukraine.

Russia / Mideast

Pervin Chakar

Kurdish diva brokenhearted but resolute in face of language discrimination in Turkey

The "brutal" quashing of Kurdishness in Turkey continues to be state policy — even in entertainment.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Tehran on July 19, 2022.

Russia offers Erdogan economic lifeline

Gas payments in rubles will help Turkey reduce its foreign-currency demand.

Russia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov addresses the public during a press conference at the Russian Embassy, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Aug. 02, 2022.

Lavrov sidesteps Nile dam dispute in meetings in Egypt, Ethiopia

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov seems to have avoided the GERD issue, instead focusing on his country’s relations with Egypt, Ethiopia and other African countries.

A picture taken during a tour organized by the Syrian Ministry of Information shows a Syrian national flag and cars in the district of Daraa al-Balad, Daraa, Syria, Sept. 12, 2021.

Who's to blame for ongoing assassinations in Syria's Daraa province?

Assassinations of opposition and government officials and loyalists alike are proliferating in Syria’s southern province of Daraa, with the rival parties trading blame as to who is responsible for the spike in killings.

JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP via Getty Images

Israel hunts Islamic Jihad operatives in West Bank

Despite the cease-fire in the Gaza Strip between Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Israeli army, the West Bank remains volatile.

US President Joe Biden signs the agreement for Finland and Sweden to be included in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

US approves Sweden, Finland NATO bid as Turkey warns of conditions

Turkey's President Erdogan warned again this week that his government would block the two Nordic countries' bid to join NATO unless they take action against Kurdish leftist groups.

Washington Pulse

Supporters of Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

Iraqi rival parties can't agree on path to new elections

Although Iraq's two rival Shiite groups, the Sadrists and the Coordination Framework, both agreed on early elections, they can't agree on the details.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan asks Turkish diplomats to fight Islamaphobia

Turkey’s president, long criticized for sidelining and politicizing Turkey’s foreign service, is urging ambassadors to do their best to ensure that Turks abroad can participate in upcoming elections.