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Smoke and flames rise from an energy installation in the Gulf emirate of Fujairah on March 14, 2026. Smoke could be seen rising from the direction of a major UAE energy installation on March 14, in what appeared to be the latest strike targeting the Gulf's petroleum facilities hours after the US struck Iran's Kharg Island. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images) /

Analysis

Are Saudi and UAE strikes on Iran a turning point in Pentagon’s Gulf strategy?

Officials tout Arab alignment with the United States, but there are signs that Gulf states aren't in lockstep with Washington as it tries to maximize leverage over Iran.

By Jared Szuba

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

A Syrian citizen exchanges old banknotes for new notes released and distributed by the central bank, at a bank in the capital, Damascus, on Jan. 3, 2026.

Interview

UK fintech brings foreign currency accounts to Syrians at home

The launch comes as Syria’s new government attempts to stabilize the country’s shattered economy following the January 2025 rise to power of President Ahmed al-Sharaa after the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad.

Jag Vasant, an Indian-flagged tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) that transited through the Strait of Hormuz amid the Middle East war, remains docked at an offloading terminal along the coast in Mumbai on April 1, 2026.

Uptick in Chinese tankers transiting Hormuz amid Trump-Xi summit

President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, a meeting closely watched in Iran.

United Arab Emirates

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

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar rejected New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof's accusations of systematic sexual abuse and rape of Palestinian prisoners, calling the claims a "blood libel."

United States

Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi attends a meeting of the Coordination Framework political bloc in Baghdad on April 27, 2026.

Breaking | Last Updated: May 14, 2026, 2:05 pm

Iraq parliament approves government of Prime Minister Zaidi

Ali al-Zaidi, a prominent businessman with limited political experience, has backing from both the US and Iran.

Iraq

Latest News

Culture

Despite war, Lebanon reopens film archive celebrating cinematic history

Vehicles move past a giant mural on the side of a building showing an image of the late Lebanese actress and singer Sabah (1927-2014) along Beirut's Hamra street on June 20, 2024.

Lebanon

Analysis

Iran looms large over Trump’s China visit, but breakthrough unlikely

TOPSHOT - US President Donald Trump (C) is escorted by China's Vice President Han Zheng (R) upon his arrival at Beijing Capital Airport in Beijing on May 13, 2026. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images)

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Interview

Syrian Kurdish commander Kobane says Turkey visit ‘in the making,’ Ocalan meeting possible

Mazloum Kobane

SDF commander in chief

In first, Lebanon files formal UN complaint against Iran: What to know

Lebanon

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Zimbabwe is Africa's leading producer of tobacco

Zimbabwe tobacco hits new highs under smallholder contracts

Agence France-Presse

An Egyptian vulture flies over Gjirokaster, Albania

War imperils rare vultures' yearly odyssey to the Balkans

Agence France-Presse

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the presidential palace Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on May 6, 2026

Indian PM seeks trade, energy stability on UAE-Europe tour

Agence France-Presse

A farmer carries a load of wheat straw after threshing in a field in the village of Maraziq, about 30 kilometres south of Giza

Egypt farmers hit by Iran war price surge

Agence France-Presse

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Analysis

Iran looms large over Trump’s China visit, but breakthrough unlikely

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Analysis

Ahead of Trump-Xi summit, Iran looks to China as guarantor — but with reservations

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands as they arrive for talks at the Gimhae Air Base in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30, 2025.

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Israel’s drone dilemma: Hezbollah’s low-cost threat reshapes Lebanon front

Artillery units are positioned near the Lebanese border in northern Israel, May 4, 2026.

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Analysis

Are Saudi and UAE strikes on Iran a turning point in Pentagon’s Gulf strategy?

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

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