Middle East

Israel’s Strategy Along Lebanon’s Litani River

A small river has become a flashpoint in a broader regional conflict: The course of the 145-kilometer (90-mile) Litani River in Lebanon mirrors the front lines of the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. The Litani River also highlights the current fragility of international law.

Three realities of naval blockades in the Hormuz patrols

The U.S. Navy's aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln sails alongside guided-missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. and dry cargo ship USNS Carl Brashear in the Arabian Sea on Feb. 6. Handout/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Handout/Getty Images Days after the U.S.

Xi lauds China-Russia ties, signals broader Iran engagement

Chinese President Xi Jinping brought up the significance of the friendship treaty between Beijing and Moscow on Wednesday in a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Xi described relations with Russia as particularly "precious," calling for deeper cooperation and mutual support.

US Offers Iran Economic Path in Return for No Nuclear Arms

Skip next section Iran threatens Red Sea, Gulf trade if US blockade continues April 15, 2026 Iran threatens Red Sea, Gulf trade if US blockade continues Over 10% of the world's maritime trade goes through the Bab al-Mandab Strait in Yemen (FILE: August 10, 2018)Image: Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images The head of Iran's military central command

US Imposes Blockade on Iranian Ports

Skip next section Oil tankers avoiding Strait of Hormuz ahead of announced US blockade April 13, 2026 Oil tankers avoiding Strait of Hormuz ahead of announced US blockade Despite US assurances that a planned blockade of Iranian ports on Monday will not restrict transit through the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway is being avoided by most

Why US‑Iran Islamabad Talks Collapsed — What's Next

Both sides blamed the other for the breakdown of peace talks in Islamabad, Pakistan on Sunday after a marathon session failed to deliver a deal to end the war sparked six weeks ago by US-Israeli attacks on Iran. US officials said the negotiations fell apart because Iran would not commit to abandoning its nuclear program.

Jaishankar in UAE to Safeguard India's Gulf Interests

Skip next section Tributes pour in for 'Asha Tai' April 12, 2026 Tributes pour in for 'Asha Tai' The news of Bhosle's death has sparked a wave of tributes from across India [FILE: May 2003]Image: TC Malhotra/ZUMA/IMAGO After news of Bhosle's demise broke, celebrities took to social media to recall their cherished moments spent with her; others

US and Iran Talks in Islamabad End Without Deal

Skip next section Iran blames US for failure of talks, says Americans 'unable' to gain Tehran's trust April 12, 2026 Iran blames US for failure of talks, says Americans 'unable' to gain Tehran's trust Ghalibaf (second-left) sat down with Pakistan's Sharif (right) before meeting with the US delegationImage: Office of the Iranian Parliament Speaker/WANA/REUTERS The

Syrian Dentist Faces Deportation Despite Integration Efforts

On March 20, only days before Friedrich Merz and interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa raised the issue of repatriating hundreds of thousands of Syrians, Basel Gawish received a letter from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).