United States

May 17, 2026

Washington D.C. 4:15 pm

30°C

An undated image released by the Justice Department shows Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi (R) speaking with Iranian Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US strike in 2020.

Iraqi militia leader in US custody after arrest: What to know

Authorities said the individual is linked to a mysterious pro-Iran group that has been claiming attacks on Jewish communities in Europe.

Iraq

Analysis

Why China didn’t hand Trump a breakthrough on Iran

Trump's landmark three-day visit to China — the first for a US president since 2017 — included plenty of fanfare, flattery and awkward selfies but failed to produce deals or breakthroughs on Iran.

By Rosaleen Carroll , Joyce Karam

Lebanon-Israel ceasefire extended 45 days as US opens security talks

The Pentagon will host Israeli and Lebanese military delegations for a round of separate security talks later this month.

Lebanon

US President Donald Trump talks to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as he departs the Al Bateen Executive Airport on May 15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Analysis

‘A reckless act’: Netanyahu sparks UAE fury by claiming secret visit

Just as UAE-Israeli relations were deepening through cooperation against Iran, the Israeli prime minister publicly embarrassed Abu Dhabi by revealing his March visit.

By Ben Caspit

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

Latest News

Trump’s Gaza plan stalls as Hamas resists disarmament

President Donald Trump speaks in front of the American flag to the press as he departs the White House on May 12, 2026, in Washington, DC.

United States

Israel's Netanyahu suing New York Times over column on Palestinian rape

United States

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

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

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

Joyce Karam

Editor-in-Chief

Rosaleen Carroll

News Reporter and Supporting Editor

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Paul J. Saunders

In Washington, DC, reporting on Russia in the Middle East

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif attends a press conference in Berlin, Germany, June 15, 2016. REUTERS/Axel Schmidt - RTX2GGHH

Iran shifts on Syria

While the Obama administration is facing internal pressure to toughen its stance against Syria's Assad regime, Iran's Supreme National Security Council and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif are playing a larger role in setting Syria policy.

Syria

Forces aligned with Libya's new unity government are seen on the road as they advance on the eastern and southern outskirts of the Islamic State stronghold of Sirte, in this still image taken from video on June 9, 2016. Via REUTERS TV - RTSGPGM

Obama administration lays out $56 million plan for Libya

The United States is boosting its commitment to the new coalition government in Libya.

Libya

Iran denounces Orlando terror attack, ignores gay venue

While its Foreign Ministry condemned the deadly attack in Orlando, Iran's media seemed split on whether to mention that it took place at a gay nightclub.

United States

Iranians denounce BBC report claiming secret contact between Khomeini, US

Many Iranian officials have expressed outrage over a BBC report claiming Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini made secret contact with the United States leading up to the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

United States

U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (L) speaks next to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (R) at a campaign rally where Christie endorsed Trump's candidacy for president, in Fort Worth, Texas February 26, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Stone TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX28RLN

US election 2016: Can a VP pick help Trump look more 'presidential'?

The presumptive Republican nominee has many choices for his vice presidential pick, but will that matter?

United States

Will Arab-American voters rally around Clinton?

Arab-Americans tend to vote Democratic in presidential elections, but will the community coalesce around Hillary Clinton despite the attraction of Bernie Sanders’ views on the Middle East?

Palestine

A smiling Muhammad Ali shows his fist to reporters during an impromptu press conference in Mexico City July 9, 1987. REUTERS/Jorge Nunez - RTR1N6MB

How Muhammad Ali became a hero for Turks

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali’s funeral arrangements reveal the deep divisions among Turks on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s international credibility.

Turkey

Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton arrives to speak during her California primary night rally held in the Brooklyn borough of New York, U.S., June 7, 2016. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTSGHIR

White House gets campaign fever

The leaders of the two largest democracies in the world were holding a working lunch at the White House, but most of the questions at the White House press briefing June 7 were about who will succeed Obama in the Oval Office.

United States

Iran calls US congressmen's visa request 'publicity stunt'

Iran rebuked three American congressmen who requested Iranian visas in order to personally inspect the country's nuclear sites.

United States

Is Russia readying for the kill in Syria?

Russia is likely preparing for a major assault on Jabhat al-Nusra and affiliated groups in Aleppo and elsewhere in Syria.

Syria

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks on national security in San Diego, California, United States, June 2, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Blake - RTX2FF04

Clinton dumps on Trump

Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, in a foreign policy speech in San Diego on June 2, honed the case for her candidacy down to the narrow and compelling argument that Donald Trump is unfit to be commander in chief.

United States

US election 2016: Make-or-break time for Clinton in California

Here's what happened on the campaign trail the week of May 30.

United States

The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Search

United States

Iraqi militia leader in US custody after arrest: What to know

Why China didn’t hand Trump a breakthrough on Iran

Lebanon-Israel ceasefire extended 45 days as US opens security talks

‘A reckless act’: Netanyahu sparks UAE fury by claiming secret visit

Latest News

Trump’s Gaza plan stalls as Hamas resists disarmament

Israel's Netanyahu suing New York Times over column on Palestinian rape

Our Journalists

Adam Lucente

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Jared Szuba

Joyce Karam

Rosaleen Carroll

Paul J. Saunders

Iran shifts on Syria

Obama administration lays out $56 million plan for Libya

Iran denounces Orlando terror attack, ignores gay venue

Iranians denounce BBC report claiming secret contact between Khomeini, US

US election 2016: Can a VP pick help Trump look more 'presidential'?

Will Arab-American voters rally around Clinton?

How Muhammad Ali became a hero for Turks

White House gets campaign fever

Iran calls US congressmen's visa request 'publicity stunt'

Is Russia readying for the kill in Syria?

Clinton dumps on Trump

US election 2016: Make-or-break time for Clinton in California

Read By

United States

Latest News

Our Journalists

Stay informed with our daily and weekly newsletters

Read By