Defense/Security cooperation

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Analysis

Katz riles Iran, US as Netanyahu-Trump meeting raises questions

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had to settle for a brief meeting with President Donald Trump, while his defense minister, Israel Katz, appeared intent on provoking Iran by publicly disclosing sensitive intelligence.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Trump Netanyahu

On eighth visit, Israel’s Netanyahu seeks to repair ties with Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to focus on Iran in his Tuesday meeting with President Donald Trump, while the US leader is more likely to want to discuss Lebanon and Syria.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi speaks during a meeting with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (not pictured) at the Pentagon on July 14, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia.

Zaidi to meet Erdogan as Turkey-Iraq ties take off, Kurds feel sidelined

The Iraqi prime minister's visits to Ankara and Riyadh underscore Baghdad's push to deepen regional ties as Turkey seeks closer cooperation on energy and security.

moke rises from a high-rise building following a drone attack in Kuwait City on March 8, 2026.

Analysis

Can Kuwait secure a Saudi-style defense pact with Pakistan?

Kuwait and other GCC states are looking to Pakistan, among other countries, for alternate security arrangements and multilayered deterrence.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Latest News

Analysis

Ahead of Trump meeting, Netanyahu lays groundwork for Israel to rejoin Iran war

GIL COHEN-MAGEN / AFP via Getty Images

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Explainer

As Turkey rivalry heats up, Greece to acquire $4B Israeli air defense system

David's Sling.

Israel fears US deal would allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium

US President Donald Trump (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands as they arrive to speak to journalists during a joint press conference at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on Dec. 29, 2025.

Analysis

As Turkey eyes US naval revival, here is why big warship deals are unlikely

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, president of Turkey, greets Donald Trump, president of United States, during a welcome ceremony of allied heads of state and government, on July 8, 2026, in Ankara, Turkey.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

US Army Cmdr. Jace Neuenschwander (L) and Iraq Nineveh Operations Cmdr. Maj. Gen. Noman Zawbai (C) and Iraq's Staff Maj. Gen. Mohammad Fadhel Abbas sign documents.

Iraq diversifies arms imports after US withdrawal from Afghanistan

The US withdrawal may have spurred Iraq to consider purchases from Turkey and Pakistan, according to report by the Pentagon's Inspector General.

TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images

US envoy asks Israel to intervene in Sudan, says local press

According to Israeli reports, visiting US envoy to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield asked Defense Minister Benny Gantz to step in in Sudan.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is awarded the Supreme Order of Turkic World.

Erdogan envisions alliance of Turkic-speaking states

The recent summit of Turkic-speaking states has fueled Ankara’s ambitions to lead a Turkic regional economic and security complex, but major geopolitical, economic and institutional hurdles remain.

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Leadership urges caution as Israeli tourists held in Istanbul

Israel is concerned that the prolonged detention in Istanbul of tourists Natali and Mordi Oknin bodes ill for rapprochement between the two countries.

An Italian air force F-35 takes off during the "Blue Flag" multinational air defence exercise at the Ovda air force base, north of the Israeli city of Eilat, on Oct. 24, 2021.

Intel: US, UAE talk F-35 as Russia pitches stealth aircraft

A top State Department official warned the Biden administration is "very serious" about imposing sanctions on partners that purchase Russian military hardware.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends a ceremony at Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Turkish Republic's Founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, during the 83rd anniversary of his death, in Ankara on Nov. 10, 2021.

Erdogan woos Armenia with regional cooperation proposal

A transport corridor for Azerbaijan via Armenian territory — a plan that has stoked Turkey’s strategic ambitions in the region — remains on paper a year on, but that’s not the only obstacle to normalization between the three neighbors.

Russia debuts a prototype of its new Sukhoi Su-75 Checkmate, a fifth-generation single-engine fighter jet

Intel: Russia displays new fighter jet at Dubai Airshow 2021

With the Su-75 Checkmate on display, Russia aims to remind the Emirates and other nations they have options when it comes to fifth-generation fighters.

Russia / Mideast

This picture shows a Denel Dynamics' "Al-Tariq" precision-guided bomb kit on display during the 2017 Dubai Airshow, Nov. 14, 2017.

Dubai Airshow 2021 kicks off with expectations of big deals

The rise in attacks around the region in recent years using drones pushed the sales of UAV technologies in the Middle East to reach $1.5 billion over the last five years.

This picture taken on Sept. 27, 2020, from the Palestinian side of the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt in Rafah shows Egyptian soldiers.

Israel, Egypt to increase military presence along Egypt's Rafah border

Egypt and Israel sign an agreement allowing increased military presence in Egypt's Rafah border area, a move that analysts say is a win-win for the two neighbors.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) listens during a news conference on the treatment of Haitian immigrants at the U.S. border in Texas on Sept. 22, 2021 in Washington, DC.

US Rep. Ilhan Omar moves to block $650 million Saudi arms sale

If passed by the Senate, the joint resolution would block the sale of 280 air-to-air missiles to Riyadh.

Israeli soldiers of the Nahal Brigade take part in a drill near the settlement of Kidmat Tsvi in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights, on Oct. 27, 2021.

Israel loses patience with Iranian entrenchment in Syria

Israel has detected increased activity by Iran as it builds up its military presence in Syria.

fighter loyal to Yemen's Saudi-backed government takes position at the frontline facing Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Saudi-led coalition pushes back on reports of troop withdrawals from Yemen

The Gulf coalition's denial comes amid reports of Saudi troop withdrawals from al-Mahra governorate.