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Politics & Security

ilia YEFIMOVICH / AFP via Getty Images

Israel tightens election safeguards as public distrust surges: What to know

Israelis have lost trust in the government and in its ability or willingness to conduct free and fair elections.

A Turkish soldier from the 1st Border Regiment Command looks out over the border wall to Syria during alert drills at a military outpost on the Turkey/Syria border on March 2, 2017 in Kilis, Turkey.

Analysis

Why Turkey sees Israeli strikes in Syria as warning over its military role, Mecca Pact

Ankara views Israel’s latest strikes in Syria as part of a broader effort to curb Turkey’s military influence in Damascus and a challenge to its regional defense partnerships.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Turkey/Syria border

Analysis

Turkey bets on US deconfliction as Israel widens Syria red lines

As Washington pushes a new deconfliction mechanism between Turkey and Israel, the Jewish state shows little incentive to accept tighter constraints on its freedom of action in Syria, experts say.

Ezgi Akin

Rina Bassist

By Ezgi Akin , Rina Bassist

Latest News

Analysis

Can Trump's economic war ultimately force Iran to compromise?

People shop at a store in the Grand Reza Bazaar near the shrine of Imam Reza following the funeral of slain Iranian leader Ali Khamenei and his family members in Mashhad on July 10, 2026.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Tunisia’s water, power crisis fuels growing protests against Saied: What to know

Members and supporters of the Nafas movement take part in an anti-government protest against Tunisian President Kais Saied, chanting "Degage" and calling for political change, in Tunis,Tunisia on August 20,2026. (Photo by Imen Ben Youssef / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images)

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

Zaidi

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 demonstrator clad in a mask colored with the Lebanese flag.

Lebanese hope for change in May 15 parliamentary elections

Despite furstration with Lebanon's established political leaders and parties, opposition groups have yet to present a strong, unified alternative.

An Israeli army drone flies near a Palestinian kite along the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip, east of Gaza City, May 14, 2018.

Islamic Jihad claims new drones made in Gaza

As the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip compete to develop new advanced weapons, the Islamic Jihad’s military wing announced for the first time a new drone capable of carrying small-sized missiles.

Afghan refugees

Iranian minister threatens Afghan refugees over census

Afghan refugees who fled the Taliban have faced hardship in Iran. The Islamic Republic wants to have friendly relations with the Islamist group next door.

Iraq's Council of Representatives in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone.

Iraqi coalitions look to break political deadlock

The proposals come as Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's 40-day window to form a government draws to a close.

Families of wrongfully detained Americans hold a demonstration on May 4, 2022, in Washington, DC.

Reed’s release from Russia raises optimism for Iran-US exchange

Following the release of Marine veteran Trevor Reed from Russia, Americans with family members wrongfully detained by Iran are ramping up their pressure on the Biden administration to cut a deal with Tehran.

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed speaks during the first power generation ceremony.

Analysis

The Takeaway: Russia-Ukraine war spills over into Nile Dam dispute

Israel reveals IRGC plots; Hamas looks to capitalize on Jerusalem violence; Iraq steps up desert drug busts; Iraq builds a wall with Turkey; migrant boat tragedy fuels anger in Lebanon; and more.

Andrew Parasiliti

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn

MICHAEL TEWELDE/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi authorities bust 45 tons of smuggled khat

Use of the plant is widespread in Saudi Arabia, where a major drug war is taking place.

Turkish police try to arrest an ultranationalist protester.

Erdogan unveils plans to send 1 million Syrians back as anti-refugee sentiment escalates

As anti-refugee sentiment rises higher in Turkey during the Eid, Erdogan pledges a build-and-return project enabling more than a million Syrians to return “voluntarily” to northern Syria.

Yazidi militia

Yazidi militia says Iraqi army attacks linked to Turkey’s anti-PKK campaign

The Iraqi army is seeking to dislodge Yazidi fighters from Sinjar who Turkey says are members of the PKK. Thousands of Yazidi civilians are fleeing the area as clashes escalate.

The flag of Iran.

Iran engages neighbors as nuclear talks falter

As Iran and Saudi Arabia work to resolve disputes, Iran's president spoke with the Kuwait emir and expressed his desire for a return to "previous friendly relations.”

Mansour Abbas

Muslim party may resume membership in Israeli coalition

Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas' coordination with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett about his visit last week to Jordan and his meeting with King Abdullah might signal that he is willing to end his party’s suspension of activity in the coalition.

NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images

Israel lays groundwork for Biden visit

President Joe Biden is expected to arrive in Israel in late June.