President Erdoğan to visit UAE and Ethiopia for high-level talks

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will embark on a two-nation diplomatic tour next week, traveling to the United Arab Emirates on Monday and Ethiopia on Tuesday at the invitation of regional leaders. The Turkish leader is scheduled to meet with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali in Addis Ababa, with multiple agreements expected to be signed during both visits.

Panamanian vice minister praises 'very good moment' in ties with Türkiye

Panama's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Carlos Guevara Mann announced Friday that relations between his country and Türkiye are at a "very good moment" during his official visit to Ankara. The diplomat highlighted growing trade volumes, Turkish Airlines' ten weekly flights to Panama City, and expanding cooperation in education, science, culture, and multilateral platforms as key pillars of the strengthening bilateral partnership.

Canada rules out Iran ties without regime change

Canada has declared it will not restore diplomatic relations with Iran under the current government. Foreign Minister Anita Anand, speaking at the Munich Security Conference, cited ongoing human rights violations and announced new sanctions targeting individuals linked to Iranian state bodies. Ottawa maintains its long-standing diplomatic freeze and continues to pursue legal action over the downing of a passenger plane carrying Canadian citizens.

US military used Anthropic's Claude AI in Maduro capture operation

The US military utilized Anthropic's artificial intelligence model Claude during the operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January, marking the first known instance of a commercial AI system being deployed in a classified Pentagon mission, according to The Wall Street Journal. The AI tool was accessed through Anthropic's partnership with defense contractor Palantir Technologies, though specific details about how Claude assisted in the raid remain undisclosed as the company faces tension with the Pentagon over usage restrictions.

Israeli army holds West Bank drill amid escalating Iran tensions

The Israeli army launched a military exercise Sunday near the occupied West Bank settlement of Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut, west of East Jerusalem, citing the drill as part of its pre-scheduled 2026 annual training plan. The maneuver comes amid heightened regional tensions following recent US-Iran nuclear talks in Oman and a significant American military buildup in the Middle East, though Israeli officials maintain the exercise was planned independently of current geopolitical developments.

Iran's Araghchi dismisses Munich Security Conference as 'circus'

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi launched a scathing attack on the Munich Security Conference Saturday, deriding it as a "circus" over European policies toward Tehran while accusing the EU of strategic confusion and geopolitical irrelevance in the region. Araghchi specifically criticized Germany for "wholly surrendering its regional policy to Israel" and argued that Iran's regional partners have proven "far more effective and helpful" than the "empty-handed" European trio as the conference hosted Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran's deposed shah.

Rubio dismisses NATO exit rumors, says US committed to alliance

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio firmly rejected speculation about American withdrawal from NATO during a Sunday press conference in Bratislava with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, arguing that stronger European defense capabilities would enhance rather than weaken the transatlantic alliance. Rubio emphasized Washington views increased European military investment as partnership evolution, not a threat to US influence, while praising Slovakia's selection of the F-16 program for its air force modernization.

Turkish intelligence chief Kalın attends Munich Security Conference

National Intelligence Organization head Ibrahim Kalın represented Türkiye at the 62nd Munich Security Conference in Germany, holding bilateral talks with foreign counterparts on pressing regional matters. Discussions covered the war in Gaza, developments in Syria and Iran, counterterrorism cooperation, irregular migration challenges, and cybersecurity, as the conference convenes amid what diplomats describe as the most turbulent period since the Cold War.

UK confirms Russian opposition figure Navalny was poisoned with frog toxin

The British government announced Saturday that Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, who died in an Arctic prison in February 2024, was poisoned with a lethal toxin found in the skin of Ecuadorian dart frogs. Laboratory testing confirmed the presence of epibatidine in Navalny's system, a substance that does not occur naturally in Russia, leading London to conclude there is "no innocent explanation" for its presence.

Obama calls Trump-shared racist video 'deeply troubling' in interview

Former President Barack Obama addressed the racist video shared by President Donald Trump depicting him and Michelle Obama as apes during a Saturday interview, calling the behavior "deeply troubling" while expressing faith that most Americans still value decency and kindness. Obama lamented the erosion of public decorum and propriety surrounding the presidency, as the White House initially defended then deleted the AI-generated post set to Disney music, which sparked backlash including from Trump's fellow Republicans during Black History Month.

Saudi minister says Gaza ceasefire must lead to two-state solution

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan declared Saturday that the Gaza ceasefire must serve as a launching point for establishing an independent Palestinian state, telling the Munich Security Conference that the truce should restore stability and enable reconstruction while advancing Palestinian self-determination. The top Saudi diplomat emphasized that a two-state solution represents the only viable path to enduring regional peace, as Riyadh continues supporting initiatives to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian war.

Trump says newly released Epstein files clear him of wrongdoing

President Donald Trump declared Sunday that the newly released Jeffrey Epstein investigative files contain no evidence implicating him and instead prove his innocence, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Florida. Trump said he was briefed by associates on the more than three million pages of documents, which he claims contradict expectations of his political opponents, while also alleging a conspiracy between writer Michael Wolff and the late sex offender.

Italy signals key role in shaping future of Middle East peace

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced Wednesday that Rome will play an "important" and "constructive" role in shaping the Middle East's future, with potential contributions including Palestinian police training and civil administration support. Speaking at the G7 summit in Canada, Tajani detailed Italy's €60 million reconstruction investment for Gaza while emphasizing the need to consolidate the ceasefire and ensure humanitarian supplies reach the population.

Pakistan to provide specialized eye treatment for jailed Imran Khan

Pakistan's government announced Saturday that jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan will receive specialized eye treatment at a top medical facility, following a court-submitted report revealing he has only 15% vision remaining in his right eye. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that leading specialists will conduct further examinations, with findings to be presented to the Supreme Court, as opposition lawmakers continue protests demanding Khan's hospitalization.

Zelenskyy and NATO chief Rutte discuss air defense funding in Munich

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference to discuss funding for the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List initiative, which enables Kyiv to purchase missiles for air defense systems. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for recent military aid commitments totaling €38 billion while emphasizing that European unity remains the "best interceptor" against emerging threats.

Trump administration seeks tech data on Americans criticizing ICE agents

The Trump administration has issued hundreds of administrative subpoenas to major technology companies including Google, Meta, and Reddit, seeking identifying information about Americans who have anonymously criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents online, according to multiple officials and internal documents reviewed by The New York Times. Civil liberties groups are raising alarms over what they describe as government overreach targeting protected speech, while the Department of Homeland Security defends the practice as necessary for agent safety.

9 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza despite ceasefire

Israeli airstrikes killed nine Palestinians Sunday in separate attacks across the Gaza Strip, marking another violation of the October 2025 ceasefire agreement. Medical sources confirmed five deaths southwest of Khan Younis in the south, while paramedics reported four killed when a drone struck a tent sheltering displaced families near Jabalia in the north, as Israeli forces also conducted home demolitions and artillery shelling.

Erdoğan, Sudani discuss trade expansion and counterterrorism in phone call

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani held a telephone conversation Friday focusing on strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in trade and security cooperation. Erdoğan affirmed Ankara's commitment to deepening relations with Baghdad across multiple sectors.

Trump suggests regime change in Iran 'would be the best thing'

President Donald Trump endorsed regime change in Iran as the optimal outcome, criticizing decades of Tehran's governance while warning of massive military force if nuclear negotiations collapse. Speaking in North Carolina, Trump reiterated that "tremendous power" has arrived in the region as the USS Gerald R. Ford deploys to bolster US presence.

Serbian president hails Erdoğan as 'great world leader' after Ankara talks

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as "a great world leader" following productive talks in Ankara, describing Türkiye as one of Belgrade's most important partners. Erdoğan accepted an invitation to visit Serbia in May or June with a large delegation.

Munich Security Conference day 2: Rubio, Wang Yi, Zelenskyy take center stage

The Munich Security Conference enters its second day Saturday with high-profile addresses from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Discussions span the international order, Ukraine support, transatlantic security, and interconnected challenges from the Indo-Pacific to Sudan.

Bangladesh's Tarique Rahman calls for national unity after landslide election win

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman delivered his first post-election address Saturday, urging national unity to rebuild Bangladesh following the party's two-thirds parliamentary majority. Set to become prime minister by February 18, Rahman acknowledged challenges including a fragile economy and weakened institutions inherited from the ousted Awami League government.

Somalia urges direct Türkiye shipping link as trade surpasses logistics capacity

Somalia's ports minister called for establishing direct maritime routes with Türkiye as a "strategic necessity" amid expanding bilateral trade. Speaking at an OIC transport conference in Istanbul, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur emphasized that current logistics cannot accommodate growing commercial exchanges between the two nations.

Türkiye dismisses European Parliament resolutions as 'baseless' interference

Ankara has strongly rejected European Parliament resolutions containing what it termed "baseless allegations" regarding Syria policy and claims about journalists and Christians in Türkiye. The Foreign Ministry urged EU lawmakers to pursue constructive engagement rather than attempting to interfere in Türkiye's internal affairs.

African Union summit opens in Addis Ababa with water security as flagship theme

African leaders convened in Ethiopia's capital Saturday for the 39th AU Assembly, launching 2026 as the year of sustainable water availability and sanitation. UN chief Antonio Guterres, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa joined discussions on climate resilience, peace, security, and institutional reform.