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Politics & Security

(L/R) Director of Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) James Adams III and US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testify during a Senate Committee on Intelligence hearing to examine worldwide threats, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on March 18, 2026. (Photo by Oliver Contreras / AFP via Getty Images)

Breaking | Last Updated: March 18, 2026, 11:30 am

Gabbard: No sign Iran was rebuilding nuclear program after June strikes

Top US intelligence official offered Senate lawmakers contradictory assessments on whether Iran sought to rebuild its uranium enrichment capabilities after US B2 bomber strikes last year.

A Patriot anti-missile battery launcher, deployed by Dutch NATO soldiers, is seen March 11, 2003 at the Diyarbakir military airport in southeastern Turkey.

NATO deploys new Patriot battery to Turkey as Fidan in Riyadh for regional talks

The deployment to a key Turkish airbase likely signals NATO planners’ heightened concern over Turkey’s military assets.

Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, arrives in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept. 27, 2025.

Analysis

How Larijani's killing could narrow diplomatic offramps for Iran war

The IRGC, already strengthened by its central role in the war and its ties to newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, may consolidate further influence over security and foreign policy.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

MAGA split emerges in Trump's base as Joe Kent resigns over Iran war

The head of the US National Counterterrorism Center’s departure is the latest sign of waning influence among the administration’s anti-war MAGA figures amid the conflict with Iran.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Latest News

Syrian authorities restrict alcohol sales in Damascus: What to know

People drink and chat in a bar in the old town in Damascus on June 19, 2025 in Damascus, Syria.

Kuwait arrests 16 over alleged Hezbollah links, including 14 nationals

A flag of the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah flutters above the rubble of a building that was hit in January by an Israeli strike in the southern Lebanese village of Qannarit, on Feb. 16, 2026.

Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani killed in Israeli strike: Katz

Ali Larijani, former Iranian parliament speaker, addresses the media following his registration at the elections registration office, ahead of the country's election of a new president next month, Tehran, Iran, May 31, 2024.

Analysis

Why Iran sees UAE as attractive target in war against US, Israel

A smoke plume rises from an ongoing fire near Dubai International Airport in Dubai on March 16, 2026.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

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

Members of Syria's security forces drive through the predominantly Druze city of Suwayda on July 15, 2025, following Israeli bombardment amid clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters.

Analysis

Will Israel's airstrikes in Druze city derail Syria normalization talks?

The violent clashes in Syria and subsequent Israeli attack have pushed a potential bilateral security agreement further off.

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

A member of Syria's security forces stands under a sign in the predominantly Druze city of Sweida (Suwayda), on July 15, 2025, following clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters.

Syria announces ceasefire in Druze city of Suwayda: What to know

The ceasefire followed deadly clashes between the Druze of Suwayda and Bedouin tribes that left over 100 people dead.

Giorgos Gerapetritis (L), foreign minister of Greece, speaks with Hakan Fidan (R), foreign minister of Turkey during the second meeting of North Atlantic Council of foreign ministers at NATO headquarters, Brussels, Dec. 4, 2024.

Turkey's Fidan heads to New York for Cyprus talks as Libya tensions flare

The top Turkish diplomat will attend UN-hosted Cyprus talks amid rising tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (L) and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi talk.

As Iran deadline looms, here’s what to know about UN snapback sanctions

As the October JCPOA snapback deadline approaches, Western powers are weighing the use of the mechanism, while Iran warns that such a move would undermine progress toward a renewed nuclear deal.

A US Army MIM-104 Patriot anti-missile defense launcher stands ahead of the arrival of former US President Joe Biden at Rzeszow Airport on March 25, 2022, in Rzeszow, Poland.

Analysis

Trump’s Patriot sales to Ukraine underscore Iran's proliferation threat

Russia's use of Iranian-style armed drones against Ukraine's cities continues to tax the US' limited ability to produce air and missile defense systems, vexing Pentagon planners and sparking renewed urgency among European allies.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Wang Yi held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi in Beijing, on April 23, 2025.

Iran’s Araghchi to meet China, Russia FMs at Shanghai Cooperation meeting

Iran is seeking to deepen economic ties with the China-led bloc amid US sanctions and the aftermath of last month's war with Israel.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar (L) addresses a press conference with European Commission Vice-President and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and EU Commissioner for Mediterranean Dubravka Suica and after a meeting at the EU headquarters on the sidelines of the EU's foreign affairs council, in Brussels on February 24, 2025. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP) (Photo by JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel races to avert EU sanctions by expanding Gaza aid: What to know

Facing mounting pressure over Gaza war conduct, Israel expands aid access in bid to sway EU ministers ahead of critical sanctions debate.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Barrack and Sharaa

'One road to Damascus': Syria's Kurds recoil as US envoy urges deal with Sharaa

Tom Barrack’s call for Kurdish integration under a central Syrian government reflects a shift in US policy, drawing concern from Kurdish leaders about their future autonomy.

Druze men demonstrate in solidarity with the Syrian Druze community near the border barrier in the village of Majdal Shams, Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, April 30, 2025.

Live Updates

Syria: Nearly 100 killed in fighting between Druze, Sunni tribes

Intervention by Syrian security forces to contain the escalation in Druze-majority Suwayda province has been met with resistance from the local Druze community.

People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus on June 22, 2025.

Analysis

Who is Saraya Ansar al-Sunna, radical group behind deadly Syria church attack?

An obscure new radical group in Syria may prove weak physically and financially, but can provide an ideological continuity that allows ISIS-like groups to continue to emerge in the future.

Cagatay Cebe

By Cagatay Cebe

In Istanbul, reporting on security and counterterrorism

Israel's (L to R) Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu applaud during the address of Argentina's President to a session of the Israeli parliament (Knesset) at its headquarters in Jerusalem on June 11, 2025. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Can Netanyahu thread needle on Gaza ceasefire without losing coalition?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to make statements about advancing a Gaza ceasefire deal, but that does not necessarily mean he will commit to ending the war.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Pierre Crom/Getty Images

Analysis

How Turkey can help Syria-Israel normalization — and why it should

Despite Ankara’s tense relationship with Israel and current diplomatic freeze, some experts believe Turkey’s role in Syrian-Israeli dynamics could grow over time.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security