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Politics & Security

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Analysis

Without exit strategy, Israel faces emboldened Hezbollah, limited options on Iran

While President Donald Trump remains undecided on striking Iran again, the Israeli military is sinking deeper into its Lebanon quagmire with a reinforced Hezbollah.

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

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.

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

AFP via Getty Images

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

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

Lapid Abdullah

Lapid’s legacy to include better relations between Israel, Jordan

First as foreign minister, and then as prime minister, Yair Lapid identified rehabilitating commercial and diplomatic ties with Jordan as top priority for Israel.

In this photograph taken on July 31, 2022, smoke rises from a house following a US drone strike in the Sherpur area of Kabul.

Middle East reactions: Al-Qaeda leader Zawahiri killed in US drone strike

Saudi Arabia and Israel praised the operation which killed the Al-Qaeda leader; a Syrian jihadist group appeared to offer condolences.

The national flags of Azerbaijan (L) and Turkey, and portraits of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev (R) hang side-by-side on the mayoral building in the Kecioren district of Ankara on Oct. 21, 2020.

Armenia clings to Turkish peace talks to avert war with Azerbaijan

Erdogan has made it clear that progress in the talks is contingent on progress on Armenia’s negotiations for a peace treaty with Azerbaijan.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran vows response to US sanctions, ramps up enrichment

In response to new US sanctions, Iran has announced its capability to develop atomic weapons.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli army on alert after arrest of Islamic Jihad senior official

The IDF has reopened some of the roads blocked off near Gaza, but soldiers remain ready for trouble.

Annabelle Chih/Getty Images

Syria, Iran condemn Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan

China is a close ally of both countries but has also made economic inroads recently with US partners in the Middle East.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a protest against the Israeli government, Jerusalem, April 6, 2022.

Netanyahu shapes next Likud Knesset list to his liking

Opposition head Benjamin Netanyahu uses all sorts of means to control the composition of the next Likud Knesset list, so that it does not reflect bad on him and that it does not promote his rivals.

The sign at the entrance to the Russian branch of the Jewish Agency for Israel office is seen in this photo, Moscow, Russia, July 28, 2022.

Is Russia escalating Jewish Agency crisis because of Israel's stance on Ukraine?

Some Israeli security and diplomatic experts believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin instigated the Jewish Agency crisis to pressure Israel against selling natural gas to Europe.

Two Israeli warplanes fly over the southern Lebanese village of al-Tiri.

Israeli warplanes become every day reality for Lebanese

Research based on complaints to the UN Security Council reveals an intrusive and constant Israeli presence over Lebanese airspace, with consequences for public health.

A grab taken from a video produced by al-Qaeda-linked media group as-Sahab and broadcast by the Qatar-based satellite channel Al-Jazeera 11 September 2006 shows the number two in al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri, speaking in an undisclosed date and place.

Breaking | Last Updated: August 3, 2022, 6:05 pm

US kills Al-Qaeda leader al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan

The Biden administration sees Zawahiri's presence in Kabul as "a clear violation" of the 2020 Doha agreement with the Taliban, a senior US official said.

Bulk carrier M/V Razoni, carrying a cargo of 26,000 tonnes of corn, leaves the Ukraine port of Odesa en route to Tripoli.

Turkey reaps rewards in international standing as first grain ship leaves Ukraine

Turkey's diplomatic mediation between Ukraine and Russia could mitigate impact of global food crisis.

Yemeni demonstrators protest demanding the end of a yearslong blockade of the area imposed by the Houthi rebels on the country's third-largest city of Taez, Yemen, July 26, 2022.

Yemeni citizens anxious as truce set to expire

The cease-fire has bestowed a massive relief on millions of Yemeni citizens, who fear a return to conflict.