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August 20, 2026

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US sanctions International Criminal Court president, top lawyer

The sanctions come a month after Secretary of State Marco Rubio vowed to dismantle the court "brick by brick."

Ohad Zwigenberg / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Netanyahu yields to Trump on Gaza, betting Hamas won’t disarm

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu agreed to advance the US administration's Gaza plan in a meeting with envoy Jared Kushner despite his skepticism about Hamas' commitment.

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

RAMI AL SAYED/AFP via Getty Images

Explainer

What US sanctions on Syria remain as Shibani, Barrack hold talks?

Key sanctions remain on Damascus, including a designation that was made more than four decades ago.

Latest News

After meeting Netanyahu, Kushner agrees Hamas disarmament precedes Israel's withdrawal

Jared Kushner

Analysis

Israel defies Trump on Lebanon as Netanyahu, Katz prioritize elections

Israeli army vehicles move to a position in southern Lebanon, March 27, 2026.

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

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

Will escalation in Iran-US tensions impact Syria conflict?

With tension between the United States and Iran rapidly increasing, northern and eastern Syria could witness an upsurge in proxy clashes between parties backed by each side.

Europe fears Trump, Netanyahu encouraging Iran's hard-liners

The European Union fears that the positions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump could generate an all-out war with Iran.

Israeli soldiers walk past an Iron Dome rocket interceptor battery deployed near central Gaza Strip, southern Israel October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC173427FF50

Congress wants return on $1.5 billion investment in Israel missile shield

US taxpayers fork over millions of dollars every year for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. As worldwide threats grow, Congress wants deployed US troops to reap the benefits.

Turkey's Minister of Economy Nihat Zeybekci speaks at the Vietnam-Turkey Business Forum in Hanoi on August 24, 2017.
Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and Zeybekci are on a three-day official visit to Vietnam focused on fostering closer bilateral ties. / AFP PHOTO / HOANG DINH Nam (Photo credit should read HOANG DINH NAM/AFP/Getty Images)

Turkey stands to suffer under new US sanctions on Iran

Turkey might have a tough time dealing with pending US penalties against Ankara's trading partner Iran.

Iraqi air force targets IS sites in Syria ahead of elections

Despite earlier opposition to any Iraqi military intervention in Syria, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered the air force to strike Islamic State sites in Syria for the second time this year.

After success with Trump, Bibi has trouble swaying EU on Iran

Despite his success swaying the US president, Europeans know that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is skewing the truth about the West Bank occupation just as he falsely accused the Iranians of violating the nuclear agreement.

An Israeli soldier stands on a tank as another jumps off it near the Israeli side of the border with Syria in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Israel May 9, 2018. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC1520FF8190

Congress prioritizes smart bombs for Israel despite US shortages

US lawmakers are scrambling to defend Israel from rising regional threats.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif looks on while attending the Iran-Pakistan Business Forums in Karachi on March 13, 2018.
Zarif is on three-day official visit to Pakistan. / AFP PHOTO / ASIF HASSAN (Photo credit should read ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Iran may use nuclear deal structure to try to isolate US

Foreign Minister Zarif has said Iran may file a complaint against Trump’s sanctions violations with the JCPOA’s Joint Commission.

Iranians may turn to ‘military president’ as nuclear deal collapses

The collapse of the JCPOA could fan political winds in Iran, leading to the rise of a military president.

U.S. President Donald Trump signs a proclamation declaring his intention to withdraw from the JCPOA Iran nuclear agreement in the Diplomatic Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 8, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC157E042900

Trump, Netanyahu coordination goes beyond Iran deal

Having coordinated the US repudiation of the Iranian nuclear deal with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Donald Trump has also offered Netanyahu "full and total" US military and diplomatic support in case of a regional war.

U.S. Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX) arrives at Trump Tower to meet with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in New York, U.S., November 29, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar - RC17792FFC10

Divided Republicans struggle to formulate post-Iran deal policy

While some GOP leaders cautioned President Donald Trump against withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, others praised the move and pushed for new sanctions — and even a war authorization.

An Iranian military truck carries surface-to-air missiles past a portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a parade on the occasion of the country's annual army day on April 18, 2018, in Tehran.
President Hassan Rouhani said during the parade that Iran "does not intend any aggression" against its neighbours but will continue to produce all the weapons it needs for its defence. / AFP PHOTO / ATTA KENARE (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)

Pentagon braces for Iranian response to Trump withdrawal from deal

The US president’s decision to reimpose sanctions is sparking concerns that Tehran could retaliate against US assets and allies.