Is Israel's Lebanon 'security buffer zone' legal?
Is a buffer zone — such as the one that Israel is establishing in Lebanon — legal under international law? The short answer is: possibly.
Middle East
Ukraine Rebukes Israel Over Grain from Occupied Lands
Ukraine's president on Tuesday criticized Israel for allegedly purchasing grain "stolen" by Russia, which occupies large areas of Ukrainian farmland amid its invasion. Ukraine first summoned Israel's ambassador on Monday, with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha bemoaning what he called Israeli inaction in allowing shipments to enter Israel carrying foodstuffs from occupied Ukrainian territory.
Fact check: Cloud seeding didn’t trigger Iran’s storms
Back in 2018, an Iranian general put forth a theory about the country's drought: Israel was stealing Iran's clouds. He later walked back on the comments after Iran's own meteorological organization contradicted him, according to state media reports.
US cautious over Iran plan to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Skip next section Qatar warns against 'frozen conflict' in Gulf April 28, 2026 Qatar warns against 'frozen conflict' in Gulf Qatar has warned against the risk of a prolonged "frozen conflict" as US-Iran peace talks stall. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said Doha does not want to see tensions repeatedly flare.
Deadlock on Iran and Hormuz Blockade Deepen Global Strain
Iranian worshippers perform their Friday prayers under the portraits of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, second left, and top military officials who were killed during the U.S.-Israel campaign, at the Tehran University campus, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, April 24, 2026. Vahid Salemi/AP hide caption toggle caption Vahid Salemi/AP U.S.
Merz: US Lacks Strategy, Humiliated in Iran Conflict
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday said Iran's leadership is in the process of "humiliating" the United States in the ongoing conflict. Merz said Washington appeared to lack a clear strategy and questioned what kind of exit the US might pursue.
Araghchi Visits Russia as US-Iran Talks Stall
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Russia on Monday, where he is expected to meet with President Vladimir Putin and seek his support. The visit comes following Aragchi's trips to mediators Pakistan and Oman to discuss the widening Middle East conflict, with peace efforts between Tehran and Washington currently on ice.
First Assad-era Officials' Trial Opens in Damascus
A Syrian court on Sunday held a preparatory session for a trial of several former officials in President Bashar Assad's deposed government, with only one of the defendants physically present in court. Assad's government was ousted, after more than a decade of civil war, in December 2024.
Iran's diplomatic flurry as Trump claims U.S. has 'the cards'
This handout photo released by the Iranian foreign ministry shows Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar (L) greeting his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi upon his arrival in Islamabad on April 24, 2026.
Palestinians Praise Local Elections in Gaza and West Bank
A Palestinian man votes in local elections, the first in two decades in Gaza and the first in the occupied West Bank since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Al-Ubaidiya, West Bank, Saturday, April 25, 2026.
Islamabad talks stall — Iran conflict: what’s next?
Live Published April 26, 2026 last updated April 26, 2026 No direct talks took place between US and Iranian negotiators in Islamabad. A ceasefire in the Iran war continues to exist, but a roadmap to lasting peace remains elusive. DW has the latest.
Trump Cancels Envoys' Islamabad Visit Amid Iran Standoff
Skip next section Iran's FM to return to Pakistan for talks April 25, 2026 Iran's FM to return to Pakistan for talks Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to fly to Russia after meeting with Pakistani officials (FILE: March 16, 2026)Image: Sha Dati/Xinhua/IMAGO Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to return to Pakistan after