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May 8, 2026

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Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi of Iran meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China in Beijing on May 6, 2026. Credit: Telegram

Analysis

China shores up Iran support as Trump seeks exit

China understands how badly Trump wants an exit from the conflict. But timing is critical: if no agreement is reached before Trump arrives in China on Thursday, Beijing would be better positioned to set the agenda.

Joyce Karam

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Lebanon, Israel eye third round of talks, but no Netanyahu-Aoun meeting in sight

The US appears to be pushing for a meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but the Lebanese government says it won't happen while Israel continues to launch attacks on Lebanon.

Latest News

EU says energy costs tied to Hormuz crisis have surged past $35B

Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel fears Trump seeking Hormuz win while sidestepping Iran nuclear issue

Amirhossein KHORGOOEI / ISNA / AFP via Getty Images

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

Pentagon says Iran ceasefire continues despite UAE attack

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks at a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on April 24, 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

A gas flare on an oil production platform in the Soroush oil fields is seen alongside an Iranian flag in the Gulf July 25, 2005. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/File Photo - S1AETIFZPBAC

Iran could become collateral damage of OPEC decision

If OPEC decides this month to increase oil output, it will probably be the result of a simple economic decision and not any desire by Riyadh and Moscow to cater to the United States.

Syrian army soldiers ride on a motorbike at a damaged site in al-Hajar al-Aswad, Syria May 21, 2018. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC17435C2220

Congress rebukes Trump over lack of Syria policy

Congress called out the Donald Trump administration for failing to provide lawmakers with a US strategy for the conflict in Syria.

A view of damage on a street where Houthis have recently clashed with forces loyal to slain Yemeni former president Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sanaa, Yemen December 6, 2017. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah - RC1476393DB0

Congress seeks to insulate Oman from Yemen instability

As the 3-year-old proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran continues to destabilize Yemen, Congress seeks to shore up security in neighboring Oman.

Iran ups pressure on other countries to keep nuclear deal alive

Iran’s foreign minister penned a letter to his counterparts around the world to call for a united stance against US unilateralism.

Why US recognition of Golan Heights annexation would hurt Israel

The US-backed campaign for recognizing Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights could become a real obstacle on the way to peace with Syria.

Palestinian Hamas militants attend a military drill in preparation to any upcoming confrontation with Israel, in the southern Gaza Strip March 25, 2018. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa - RC1B884125E0

PA worried by potential Hamas-Israel truce

The Palestinian Authority fears the proposed long-term truce between Hamas and Israel under the pretext of the humanitarian crisis would lead to separating the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, and then to passing "the deal of the century."

A construction crane is seen as smoke rises from Yarmouk Palestinian camp in Damascus, Syria April 21, 2018. REUTERS/Ali Hashisho - RC16C2D4AC60

Russia finds navigating new development tricky in Syria

Syria is slowly being seen less as a military liability and more as an investment opportunity, though there are still many potential challenges.

US, Turkey agree on Manbij road map, but when will they get there?

Ankara is pleased with Washington’s endorsement of a plan to rid Manbij of YPG fighters, but many questions remain and the plan’s implementation could take time.

Director of Palestinian General Intelligence in the West Bank Majid Faraj is seen in the West Bank city of Ramallah on December 3, 2016. / AFP / AHMAD GHARABLI (Photo credit should read AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/Getty Images)

US, Palestinian political fallout hasn't hampered security ties

Despite political estrangement between the Palestinian Authority and the United States over Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, security coordination continues between the two sides.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hands U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman a letter of appreciation, during a reception held at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, ahead of the moving of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, May 13, 2018. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC12C6659B00

Jilted Democrats fume over Trump-Netanyahu lovefest

Democrats in Congress are taking aim at US Ambassador David Friedman as the deepening alliance between the US government and the Israeli right leaves them in the cold.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj walk after a photo opportunity in New Delhi, India, May 28, 2018. REUTERS/Altaf Hussain - RC1293668F70

Iran's outreach to India after US exit from nuclear deal faces obstacles

While Iran will likely receive political and trade support from the Indian government, Indian business with exposure to the United States will likely succumb to pressure from Washington.

Ankara hypes US-Turkey deal on Manbij

The Washington meeting between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo may mark a turning point in troubled US-Turkey ties.