Last summer, two U.S. officials ventured into hostile territory for a secret high-stakes meeting with American adversaries. The Syrian government officials they were scheduled to meet in Damascus seemed ready to discuss the fate of U.S. hostages believed held in their country, including...

They're not leaders for life — not technically, at least. But in political reality, the powerful tenures of China's Xi Jinping and, as of this week, Russia's Vladimir Putin are looking as if they will extend much deeper into the 21st century — even as the two superpowers whose destinies...

A verdict is expected Wednesday against 497 defendants, including former soldiers of the Presidential Guard, who are on trial, accused of involvement in a 2016 failed coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government. The massive trial is one of several against suspected...

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law paving the way for him to run for two more presidential terms, potentially extending his rule until 2036. Putin, who turns 69 this year, is currently serving his fourth presidential term, which is set to end in 2024. The new legislation,...