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Politics & Security

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Closed-door breakdown in Syria-Kurdish talks foreshadowed Aleppo clashes

The collapse of US-brokered Syria-Kurdish talks preceded the Aleppo violence as Ankara continued to press Damascus on the Syrian Democratic Forces' future.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Safin HAMID / AFP via Getty Images

Sharaa tells Iraq's Barzani Kurds integral to Syria amid fears of Aleppo spillover

More than 140,000 people have been displaced by fighting between Syrian government and Kurdish forces in Aleppo and the situation has captured the attention of Kurdistan Region and federal government leaders in neighboring Iraq.

JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images

UAE cuts student funding for UK universities over Muslim Brotherhood fears

London has not banned the group as a terrorist organization, but UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said the option is under "close review."

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Analysis

Israel on alert amid Iran unrest, sees 'next few days' critical for regime

Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Kermanshah, Iran on January 8, 2026. The nationwide protests started in Tehran's Grand Bazaar against the failing economic policies in late December, which spread to universities and other cities, and included economic slogans, to political and anti-government ones. (Photo by Kamran / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images)

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

Flights from UAE, Qatar and Turkey canceled to Iran as protests grow

Kamran / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

US envoy pushes for Sudan truce in meeting with UAE’s MBZ after talks in Saudi Arabia

US Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos (L) meets with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, Jan. 8, 2026.

Iran sees largest protest day as regime cuts internet: What to know

A protester flashes victory signs as traffic slows during demonstrations in Hamedan, Iran, on Jan. 1, 2026.

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

An undated image of Foza Yusif.

Interview

Top Syrian Kurdish official Foza Yusuf says war with Damascus lose-lose for all

The Syrian Kurdish official warns that fighting in Aleppo could deepen the humanitarian crisis and stall political negotiations.

Foza Yusuf

Foza Yusuf

SALEH AL-OBEIDI/AFP via Getty Images

Meet Aidarus Zubaidi: Separatist leader at heart of Yemen’s power struggle

Zubaidi’s Southern Transitional Council has experienced massive losses at the hands of the Yemeni government as Saudi Arabia ups its military campaign against the UAE-backed group.

ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images

Turkey's Fidan says Israel ties harden SDF stance as Syria clashes grow

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Thursday blamed the Syrian Democratic Forces’ ties with Israel for what he cast as the group's increasingly uncompromising posture in Syria.

This photograph taken during a press tour organized by the Lebanese army shows Lebanese soldiers standing atop military vehicles in Alma Al-Shaab, near the border with Israel in southern Lebanon, on Nov. 28, 2025.

Lebanon says phase 1 of Hezbollah disarmament complete as Iran FM visits Beirut

The announcement by the Lebanese army came as Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Beirut for a two-day visit amid ongoing regional tensions.

Bakr ALkasem / AFP via Getty Images

Aleppo clashes between Kurdish forces, Syrian government test US diplomacy

A violent escalation between the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in Aleppo is worsening amid stalled US-brokered negotiations and growing regional pressures on the Kurds.

Mobina / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

IRGC warns Israel it has 'hands on the trigger' as Iran protests enter 11th day

Iranian officials have repeatedly accused the US and Israel of instigating the mass protests in Iran.

Fighters loyal to Yemen's Southern Transitional Council separatists stand in the back of a pickup struck, bearing the portrait of STC Chief Aidarus al-Zubaidi

Yemen separatists accuse Saudi Arabia of 'betrayal' as pro-Riyadh forces advance

Southern Transitional Council head Aidarus al-Zubaidi did not board a scheduled flight to Saudi Arabia for talks as Riyadh intensified its airstrikes against the group.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Erdogan denies Turkey informed of US exile offer for Maduro prior to capture

While denying knowledge of a US exile plan for Nicolas Maduro, the Turkish president has been reluctant to directly criticize Washington over the Venezuelan leader’s capture.

Rocks, tree branches, and a toppled charity box remain on a street during unrest amid demonstrations in Hamedan, Iran, on Jan. 1, 2026

Hospital raids, mounting deaths: Iran's unrest enters volatile phase

Iran's nationwide unrest has deepened as lethal force collided with state warnings, exposing a widening gap between official control and fast-growing public defiance.

HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates, in Riyadh, on Sept. 3, 2025.

Analysis

From Red Sea to Horn of Africa: How Yemen exposed the Saudi-UAE divide

Saudi Arabia’s confrontation with the UAE in Yemen has laid bare a deeper struggle for influence over the Red Sea and surrounding regions.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture