Vaughn Cockayne

Iranian authorities arrest reformist politicians in crackdown expansion

Iranian authorities arrested three prominent reformist politicians on Sunday evening and Monday morning, accusing them of organizing last month's nationwide protests and seeking to disrupt the Islamic republic's "political and social situation" on behalf of Israel and the U.S.

February 9, 2026

U.S., Iranian officials in Oman for new talks as leaders look to avoid regional war

U.S. and Iranian diplomats arrived in Oman on Friday for negotiations aimed at preventing armed conflict, marking the first time the two nations have officially met for talks since May.

February 6, 2026

Russian troops on front lines lose access to Starlink internet terminals, Ukraine says

Russia has lost access to the Starlink internet terminals its troops had exploited on the battlefield, Ukraine said Thursday, as Kyiv and SpaceX coordinate to disrupt Moscow's operations on the front line.

February 5, 2026

World entering new Cold War over religious liberty, former ambassador says

The efforts of authoritarian governments to control the worship practices of millions could have massive consequences for international security, a former ambassador for religious freedom told Congress on Wednesday, urging the Trump administration to take the issue seriously.

February 4, 2026

Crackdown on religious freedom in Japan, South Korea shocking, say spiritual and political figures

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi could be a key ally for the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification in its ongoing legal battle against the Japanese government and could help the organization score a major victory for global religious freedom, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said in a major speech this week.

February 4, 2026

Russia, Ukraine and U.S. to meet for second round of trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi

U.S., Russian and Ukrainian diplomats are set to meet this week in Abu Dhabi for a second round of trilateral peace talks, hoping to hammer out a deal that will end Moscow's four-year war against Kyiv.

February 4, 2026

Waltz says U.N. Human Rights Council is at odds with ‘America First’ diplomacy

The Trump administration is working to rebuild United Nations institutions to support an "America First" foreign policy, U.N. Ambassador Michael Waltz said Tuesday.

February 3, 2026

Trump should take steps to protect religious freedom abroad, State Department adviser says

The Trump administration's military strikes against terror groups in Nigeria last December were crucial in the fight for international religious freedom and could boost global security, a State Department adviser says.

February 3, 2026

Russia working to de-escalate Iran tensions as Washington demands limits on nuclear power, missiles

The Kremlin said Monday that Russia is working to de-escalate tensions regarding Iran, as President Trump demands Tehran make major concessions on its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

February 2, 2026

Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates say they will not assist the U.S. in strikes against Iran

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, two key U.S. allies in the Middle East, have said they will not assist in any U.S. military action against Iran, as President Trump warns of potential strikes.

January 28, 2026

Trump urges Iran to deal on nuclear ambitions, or else U.S. fleet will act with ‘speed and violence’

President Trump told Iran on Wednesday that "time is running out" to make a deal on its nuclear ambitions and that a U.S. armada is ready to make Tehran pay if it does not come to the negotiating table, but U.S. allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said they wouldn't help any further American strikes on their Middle East neighbor.

January 28, 2026

Prime ministers of Denmark, Greenland tour Europe to strengthen support amid Trump threats

The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland will travel to Germany and France this week in a bid to bolster European support amid President Trump's recent push to take control of the Arctic island.

January 27, 2026

Signs of progress in Russia-Ukraine peace talks after trilateral negotiations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday the U.S.-Ukraine security agreement is "100% complete" after a weekend filled with trilateral talks among the U.S., Ukraine and Russia.

January 26, 2026

Carney says Canada will respect USMCA commitments after Trump threatens 100% tariffs

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday tried to turn down the heat in an increasingly acrimonious back-and-forth with U.S. President Trump, telling reporters his country had no plans to pursue a proposed trade deal with China after Mr. Trump threatened retaliatory tariffs.

January 25, 2026

U.S. warships approach Iran amid reports of widespread brutality by ayatollah’s security forces

A key Iranian military commander warned U.S. President Trump that Iran's Revolutionary Guard is ready to fight -- "finger on the trigger" -- if America attacks the Islamic regime.

January 25, 2026

Canadian ambassador to U.S. reaffirms commitment to U.N. and EU

Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman reaffirmed her country's commitment to established international institutions on Sunday.

January 25, 2026

Russia, Ukraine and the U.S. to hold trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi

Russia said it would hold trilateral security talks with U.S. and Ukrainian officials in the United Arab Emirates on Friday after a "constructive and very frank" meeting among U.S. diplomats and Russian President Vladimir Putin the day before.

January 23, 2026

IAEA must declare stance on U.S., Israeli strikes on nuclear facilities, Iranian nuclear chief says

Iran's top nuclear official on Friday demanded the International Atomic Energy Agency declare a position on the U.S. and Israeli strikes on the Islamic republic's nuclear facilities last June.

January 23, 2026

‘There are threats in orbit’: Space Force chief sounds alarm over Chinese, Russian space assets

The head of the U.S. Space Force says his job is to "think about worst-case scenarios" when it comes to potential threats in space from America's adversaries, whether they're Russian "nesting doll" satellites or Chinese "grappling arm" tactics that could suddenly become weaponized.

January 22, 2026

Iraq to prosecute ISIS detainees brought from Syria

Iraq will begin legal proceedings against Islamic State prisoners transferred from Syria this week by the U.S. military, the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council announced Thursday, beginning a process that could take years.

January 22, 2026