Border Disputes

Pakistani soldiers wearing facemasks stand guard at the closed Pakistan-Iran border in Taftan on February 25, 2020 as fears over the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus escalate following an outbreak in neighbouring Iran. - The Iranian outbreak where at least 15 people have already died -- the highest death toll in any country outside of China -- has aggravated already frayed nerves in neighbouring Afghanistan and Pakistan. (Photo by Banaras KHAN / AFP) (Photo by BANARAS KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Despite top-level visits, lingering mistrust overshadows Pakistan-Iran ties

Against the backdrop of renewed tensions in South Asia, Iran and Pakistan are navigating a fragile detente shaped by border security concerns, regional rivalries and the prospect of closer economic ties.

By Rosaleen Carroll

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

LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images

Syria-Israel talks reportedly intensify as Trump asks Sharaa to normalize: What to know

Following President Donald Trump’s call for Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to join the Abraham Accords, multiple contacts have reportedly taken place between Israeli and Syrian officials.

new delhi

Iranian, Saudi officials in India as more airlines halt service amid Pakistan row

Iranian and Saudi officials headed to New Delhi in separate visits following Indian airstrikes in Pakistan that raised fears of war between the neighboring countries.

AFP via Getty Images

Israel intercepts weapons-laden drone from Egypt: What we know

The Israeli military said it intercepted a large drone carrying rifles and ammunition from Egypt.

Latest News

Analysis

Macron’s Palestine gamble: Can recognition plan jump-start peace talks?

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L) and French President Emmanuel Macron take part in a joint press conference at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris on July 20, 2022. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP) (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

Israel doubts Syria breakthrough as Sharaa signals openness to Abraham Accords

An Israeli army Merkava main battle tank is carried on the back of a trailer truck to be deployed near a watchtower of the UN-patrolled buffer zone's Quneitra checkpoint, separating Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan Heights, on March 2, 2025. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP) (Photo by JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images)

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

Algeria-France crisis peaks as Algiers expels 12 diplomats: What we know

Attendees fly a French national flag and an Algerian national flag during a gathering for the election night following the second round results of France's legislative election at Republique Square in Paris on July 7, 2024. A broad left-wing coalition was leading a tight French legislative election, ahead of both President's centrists and the far right with no group winning an absolute majority, projections showed. (Photo by Alain JOCARD / AFP) (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

As Israel pummels Syria, can it avoid collision course with Turkey?

Golan

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

Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli airstrike in Marjayoun, near the Lebanon-Israel border, on Sept. 23, 2024.

Analysis

Could Israel's Lebanon assault force Hezbollah withdrawal beyond Litani River?

US and French mediation efforts to reach a deal between Israel and Hezbollah to de-escalate tensions and implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701 have failed so far.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Hezbollah fighters carry the coffins of people killed after hundreds of paging devices exploded in a deadly wave across Lebanon the previous day, during their funeral procession in Beirut's southern suburbs on September 18, 2024. Hundreds of pagers used by Hezbollah members exploded across Lebanon on September 17, killing at least nine people and wounding around 2,800 in blasts the Iran-backed militant group blamed on Israel. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Pager attacks shake Hezbollah; are they prelude to Israel-Lebanon deal?

Despite US warnings about the unintended consequences of war with Hezbollah, Israel's leaders claim the extent and intensity of the fire can be controlled.

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

"Roadmap for Bilateral Defense Cooperation" signed between the United States and Cyprus.

Turkey condemns US-Cyprus defense deal, urges Washington to 'reconsider'

Accusing Washington of losing its neutrality over the Cyprus conflict, Ankara called on the United States to reconsider its policies vis-a-vis the island.

A destroyed car and apartment building are seen after an Israeli airstrike on Aug. 20 that killed one and injured fifteen others, Nabi Chit, Lebanon, Aug. 21, 2024.

Analysis

Can US broker Israel-Hezbollah deal in Lebanon absent Gaza cease-fire?

With talks between Israel and Hamas stalled, the Biden administration hopes to delink the Gaza war from the Lebanese border escalation, but the Israeli prime minister may be more focused on the US presidential election.

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

A blind man guided by a girl walk in front of a sign, in the city of Hargeisa, Somaliland, on September 16, 2021. - For 30 years, Somaliland has tried unsuccessfully to convince the world of its case for statehood, holding democratic elections and avoiding the anarchy that engulfed the rest of Somalia. (Photo by EDUARDO SOTERAS / AFP) (Photo by EDUARDO SOTERAS/AFP via Getty Images)

Somaliland rejects Turkey-led proposal for Ethiopia-Somalia talks

The breakaway region reaffirmed its commitment to a controversial deal it signed with Ethiopia in the face of Turkey’s alternative proposal.

Turkish Foreign Ministry

Analysis

What’s next for Ethiopia-Somalia rift as talks in Turkey end with no breakthrough?

The two countries will meet next month for a third round, the top Turkish diplomat said.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Smoke billows from a site targeted by the Israeli military in the southern Lebanese border village of Kafr Kila, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters, July 29, 2024.

Strikes in south Lebanon, Syria as Israel's northern front heats up

The situation in Lebanon is at a boiling point amid growing fears of an Israeli retaliatory strike to a deadly rocket attack in the Golan Heights that could lead to a wider regional conflict.

TOPSHOT - Smoke billows following an Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese border village of Chihine on July 28, 2024. Fallout from the Gaza war is regularly felt on the Israel-Lebanon frontier, where deadly cross-border exchanges have escalated between Israeli troops and mainly Hezbollah fighters. (Photo by KAWNAT HAJU / AFP) (Photo by KAWNAT HAJU/AFP via Getty Images)

Flight disruptions, panic in Lebanon amid efforts to avoid all-out Israel-Hezbollah war

The cross-border exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah have continued following the deadly rocket strike in the Golan Heights, which prompted Israeli threats to launch a wider response in Lebanon.

Turkey's Dogu Kapi border gate to Armenia, Kars, Akyaka province, April 15, 2009.

Turkish, Armenian peace envoys to use common land border in symbolic breakthrough

Hints of a breakthrough came last week when Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan toured the newly refurbished Margara checkpoint on the Armenian side of the border.

Amir Levy/Getty Images

Analysis

Are Israel, Egypt inching closer to deal on Gaza’s Philadelphi Corridor?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists that Israel must preserve physical control over the Philadelphi Corridor, but security officials are offering other solutions.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Protesters hold signs during a demonstration calling for a hostage deal with Hamas.

Israel’s Netanyahu gambles on Gaza cease-fire with new conditions

New Israeli demands in the cease-fire talks with Hamas risk prolonging the delicate negotiations and the remaining hostages' time in captivity.

Police stay guard in front of the former Azerbaijan Embassy in Tehran on January 27, 2023, following an attack.

As Azerbaijan reopens Iran embassy, normalization remains shaky

Though both sides have welcomed the reopening as a key step in mending their strained ties, the two neighbors appear to have a long road ahead in resolving deep-seated geopolitical and ideological differences.