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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.

Latest News

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

KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images

Democratic lawmakers press Egypt to release jailed activist

Fourteen US lawmakers are calling for the release of Alaa Abdel-Fattah, a jailed activist on hunger strike in Egypt.

Josep Borell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (R), and Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS) Enrique Mora (2nd-R) chat during a meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister at the foreign ministry headquarters in Iran's capital Tehran on June 25, 2022.

Analysis

Iran nuclear deal's fate uncertain as EU makes final push

Neither Washington nor Tehran are calling it quits, but experts are skeptical an EU proposal to revive the nuclear deal can break the deadlock.

Ali Hashem

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Ali Hashem , Elizabeth Hagedorn

Tunisian electoral officials count votes following a referendum on a new constitution, Tunis, Tunisia, July 26, 2022.

Most Tunisians sit out referendum

President Kais Saied calims victory as mandate for his reforms.

Former US President Donald Trump talks to Bryson DeChambeau of Crushers GC and Dustin Johnson of 4 Aces GC walk from the 14th green to the 15th tee during the pro-am prior to the LIV Golf Invitational at the Trump National Golf Club, Bedminster, New Jersey, July 28, 2022.

9/11 victims protest Saudi-funded LIV Golf event at Trump course

LIV Golf, which is backed by Crown Prince Salman’s Public Investment Fund, is gaining serious momentum in the golf world. But victims of September 11 oppose the league due to the Saudi government’s alleged role in the attacks.

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (R) meets with Josep Borell, European Union high representative for foreign affairs and security policy (L), at the Foreign Ministry headquarters, Tehran, Iran, June 25, 2022.

Israel sees nuclear deal with Iran as inevitable

The working assumption according to which the Mossad is currently operating is that eventually the world powers will reach an agreement with Iran.

Shaked

Fragments of Israeli rightwing parties gamble on merging ahead of elections

The broken Yamina party and the two-member Derech Eretz party are hoping that their merger will get them into the next Knesset.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran claims to arrest 'Mossad-linked terrorists'

According to Tehran, five people have been arrested for planning attacks in Iran in cooperation with Israel's national intelligence service.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks as he attends the inauguration ceremony of new gas pipeline, TurkStream.

Turkey, Russia gas ties grow contentious amid Ukraine war

Russian gas giant Gazprom’s sudden “maintenance" shutdown of a major pipeline carrying gas to Turkey coincided with the talks over Finland's and Sweden’s NATO membership bids.

Israeli Ambassador to Uzbekistan Zehavit Ben-Hillel together with students at Webster University in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, November 2021.

Israel tightens ties with Uzbekistan

The recently signed agreement over Uzbeki nursing staff traveling to Israel only highlights the rapid growth in economic, diplomatic and cultural relations between the two countries.

BULENT KILIC/AFP via Getty Images

UN urges Turkey to return to women's rights accord

Special rapporteur Reem Alsalem has called on the Turkish government to reconsider last year’s decision to leave an UN agreement on combating abuse of women and girls.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shows the way to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence, outside Moscow, Russia, Sept. 21, 2015.

Putin stars in Israeli election campaigns

The diplomatic crisis between Jerusalem and Moscow offered opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu an angle for attacking Prime Minister Yair Lapid.

Erdogan grain

Praise for Erdogan's mediation in Ukraine grain deal has its limits

The UN-Turkish mediation with Russia and Ukraine may not give the Turkish president the expected diplomatic boost at home.