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Politics & Security

Zaidi

Iraq’s Zaidi doubles down on militia disarmament, boosting oil exports

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi made the comments amid Hormuz-related export struggles and a nearing deadline for armed groups to disarm.

ANKARA, TURKEY - JULY 7: U.S. President Donald Trump (L)shakes hands with with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) during a formal arrival at the Bestepe Presidential Palace during the NATO summit on July 7, 2026 in Ankara, Turkey. Leaders from NATO's 32 countries, plus NATO allies like Ukraine, gathered in the Turkish capital to discuss a range of issues involving spending targets, defense industrial production, and support for Ukraine, among other topics. (Photo by Emrah Gurel - Pool/Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel fears Turkey’s Syria ambitions and doubts Trump will stop them

Israeli officials remain skeptical of Turkish and Syrian denials over Ankara’s military ambitions in Syria, warning that a deeper Turkish foothold could threaten Israel’s security and strain its ties with Washington.

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

LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi crown prince heads to France as ties deepen: What to expect

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will start a visit to Paris this weekend, his fourth to France since his appointment in 2017.

Latest News

Caught in the middle, Oman shrugs off Trump's latest Iran threat

Win McNamee/Getty Images

Houthis claim new strikes on Saudi Arabia after IRGC warning: What to know

MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey signals restraint as war of words with Israel escalates over Syria

Burhaanettin Duran

Syria’s FM pays Pakistan first visit in 19 years amid new regional alignments

Islamabad

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

A member of the Israeli security forces is pictured in the Shuafat refugee camp during confrontations with Palestinian protesters, east Jerusalem, Oct. 12, 2022.

Israel on high alert over clashes in east Jerusalem

Tensions in the West Bank and in the east Jerusalem Shuafat refugee camp are quickly spreading to many other locations, with violent clashes between Palestinians and Israeli troops.

Flag

Rockets hit Baghdad's Green Zone as lawmakers gather to select Iraq's president

As lawmakers were preparing to select the country's president, several rockets hit the area around the parliament building.

Hamas

Hamas leaders head to Damascus amid rapprochement

A large Palestinian delegation, including Hamas leaders, is expected to meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus in late October, seeking to mend ties after a decade-long rupture.

Saudi OPEC

Analysis

The Takeaway: Congress weighs action against Saudi Arabia after OPEC+ cut

Plus, behind the scenes of the Israel-Lebanon maritime deal; Gaza’s female students reject the veil; Egyptian students protest dress codes; Egypt shelves Russian MIR payment system; West Bank violence escalates.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Andrew Parasiliti

By Elizabeth Hagedorn , Andrew Parasiliti

Israeli security forces stand behind a makeshift barricade of flaming tires separating them from Palestinian youths during clashes at the northern entrance of Ramallah, West Bank, Oct. 3, 2022.

Palestinian security forces become more involved in resistance in West Bank

The involvement of Palestinian security service members in attacks against Israeli forces in the West Bank is on the increase, amid the growing concerns of the Israeli army.

An Iranian pro-government protester wears a pin displaying a portrait of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran's Khamenei tells officials to 'act on their duties' amid ongoing protests

Hours after Iran's supreme leader renewed his order for measures against protesters, Iranians took to the streets in several cities once again, calling for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

EU warns Turkey on ties with Russia ahead of Erdogan-Putin meeting

The European Commission’s annual report on Turkey criticizes Ankara for increasing trade and financial relations with Russia, inviting Russian oligarchs to the country and undermining EU sanctions against Russia.

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

Israelis' Russian families allowed into country after deportation backlash

After disastrous deportation incidents, Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked has agreed to grant tourist visas to the spouses of Russian Israelis fleeing Russia.

United Nations peacekeeping vehicle drives to Naqura, the southernmost Lebanese town by the border with Israel.

Israeli PM acknowledges role of Biden, Macron in Lebanon maritime deal

Israel's Prime Minister Yair Lapid confirmed this evening publications in France over the significant role played by French President Emmanuel Macron in reaching the maritime agreement with Lebanon.

Amos ben Gershom/GPO

Israel moves ahead on maritime agreement with Lebanon

A maritime boundary agreement with Lebanon is finally headed for a likely approval vote in Israel.

A fighter from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) walks past shops with their fronts painted with the Arabic phrases "beware a sniper" and "caliphate state," after the Kurdish-led and US-backed SDF retook the city from Islamic State fighters, Hajin, Deir ez-Zor province, Syria, Jan. 27, 2019.

Islamic State terrorizes business owners in northeast Syria

Islamic State cells have been active in the areas controlled by the Kurdish forces in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor, forcing business owners to pay taxes under the pretext of zakat.

Leaders of nations of the European Political Community (EPC), including Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev (L) and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (R).

Turkey's stance complicates potential peace between Armenia, Azerbaijan

By linking Turkey’s normalization with Armenia to a peace settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Erdogan could encourage intransigence on Baku’s part.