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August 24, 2026

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Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent addresses the audience during opening remarks at the Ministerial on the Resurgence of Political Terrorism at the State Department on July 16, 2026 in Washington, DC. Bessent spoke alongside U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller as they discussed the rise of far-left political terrorism as a transnational threat. (Photo by Finn Gomez/Getty Images)

In 'warning shot,' US threatens sanctions on Iran’s trading partners

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said countries were given "defined timelines" to halt business with Iran or face US sanctions.

Leon Neal/Getty Images

Oil falls 1.8% as traders await 'toughest' sanctions on Iran

Traders are awaiting details about new US measures sure to further disrupt Iranian oil flows.

ANKARA, TURKEY - JULY 7: U.S. President Donald Trump (L)shakes hands with with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) during a formal arrival at the Bestepe Presidential Palace during the NATO summit on July 7, 2026 in Ankara, Turkey. Leaders from NATO's 32 countries, plus NATO allies like Ukraine, gathered in the Turkish capital to discuss a range of issues involving spending targets, defense industrial production, and support for Ukraine, among other topics. (Photo by Emrah Gurel - Pool/Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel fears Turkey’s Syria ambitions and doubts Trump will stop them

Israeli officials remain skeptical of Turkish and Syrian denials over Ankara’s military ambitions in Syria, warning that a deeper Turkish foothold could threaten Israel’s security and strain its ties with Washington.

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

Latest News

Caught in the middle, Oman shrugs off Trump's latest Iran threat

Win McNamee/Getty Images

China slams Trump over economic war on Iran: What to know

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian holds a press conference on Aug. 19, 2026.

Explainer

King Abdullah visits China as region hedges against US unpredictability

King Abdullah II arrives in Beijing, Aug. 20, 2026. Photo from Xinhua/Chen Yehua.

Trump’s Iran ‘economic D-Day’ threat sends oil prices above $94

Iranians drive past an anti-US billboard at Enghelab Square in central Tehran, Aug. 3, 2026.

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

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin (L) talks to US President Donald Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on April 7, 2025, in Washington.

Analysis

Netanyahu sidesteps Trump's Gaza plan at UN as US presses Israel to end war

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet on Monday with President Donald Trump, where he will have to make decisions on whether to continue with the Gaza war or end it.

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

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

Trump-Erdogan summit exudes love but few breakthroughs for Turkey

US President Donald Trump had raised expectations during a joint news conference in which he showered praise on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling him a “tough guy,” “a great leader” and someone “I respect.”

President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a meeting in the Oval Office at the White House on Sept. 25, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Trump says Turkey sanctions could end 'very soon' at White House meeting with Erdogan

During the meeting, Trump suggested the dispute over Turkey’s F-35 fighter jets could be resolved quickly as sanctions discussions continue.

This frame grab taken from an AFPTV footage shows smoke billowing after explosions in Qatar's capital Doha on Sept. 9, 2025.

Pentagon had no warning Israel planned to strike Qatar, US general says

The top US Air Force commander for the Middle East said early warning systems did not determine that Israeli warplanes had launched ballistic missiles towards Qatar, a US ally, until it was too late, following fresh concerns about the Pentagon's ambitions to build an air defense umbrella for the region.

Sudanese army soldiers parade in the streets of eastern Sudan's city of Gedaref on Aug. 14, 2025 to mark the 71st anniversary of the formation of the Sudanese army.

US working to broker talks between Sudan factions, Trump envoy says

Massad Boulos also said an agreement was nearly finalized with the Rapid Support Forces to bring humanitarian aid to El Fasher.

U.S. President Donald Trump (C-R) and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C-L) listen during a multilateral meeting with leaders from several Arab and Muslim-majority countries at the 80th session of the UN’s General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters on Sept. 23, 2025, in New York City.

Trump pitches 21-point plan for Middle East peace

Special envoy Steve Witkoff said he's hopeful, even confident, that there will be a breakthrough in the coming days.

A soldier of a UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) platoon of the U.S. Army 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, readies a Anduril Ghost-X helicopter surveillance drone for take-off during the Combined Resolve 25-1 military exercises at the Hohenfels Training Area in Bavaria on Feb. 3, 2025 near Hohenfels, Germany.

CENTCOM launches task force to drive Pentagon’s drone race

New unit aims to put "combat-credible" drone systems into the hands of US troops in the Middle East within 60 days, part of an ambitious new push by the Pentagon to leapfrog advances made by Washington's adversaries in fielding cheaply made but lethal armed drones.

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

As states recognize Palestine, Netanyahu seeks Trump nod on annexation

As he seeks to retaliate against France and other countries for recognizing Palestine, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unlikely to announce annexation measures without first securing President Donald Trump's approval.

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

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey touts gas, trade deals ahead of Erdogan-Trump summit

The flurry of agreements comes as the Turkish leader looks to press the US president on fighter jets and Kurdish policy in Thursday's meeting.

President Donald Trump (C-R) and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C-L) listen during a multilateral meeting with leaders from several Arab and Muslim-majority countries at the 80th session of the UN’s General Assembly (UNGA) at the United Nations headquarters on Sept. 23, 2025 in New York City.

Trump presents Gaza plan to Arab, Muslim leaders at UNGA

As international pressure builds during UNGA week, Trump pitched Arab and Muslim leaders on a plan for ending the war in Gaza and the handling of its governance.