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

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.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett meets with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at the COP 26 Climate Conference in Glasgow.

Israel’s Bennett hopes to outdo Netanyahu in relations with India

Stepping into the shoes of Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett makes efforts at strengthening the bilateral economic ties and the security alliance Israel has forged with India.

United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (L) and Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides.

UAE foreign minister visits Cyprus

The UAE has grown closer to Cyprus on energy and defense issues.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images

Israel agrees to more Egyptian troops in Sinai

Israel has agreed for Egypt to reinforce its military presence in the Sinai Peninsula.

A United Arab Emirates Air Force F-16 pilot gives a thumb up before taking off from the military airport of Andravida, southern Greece, April 19, 2021.

Saudi Arabia, UAE hold weekslong military exercise

The joint defense exercises are expected to last three weeks.

This picture shows operators working at the Joint Rescue Coordination Center during the multinational exercise "NEMESIS 2021," in the coastal city of Larnaca, Cyprus, Nov. 3, 2021.

Israel to export border surveillance technology to Cyprus

Israel’s military has extensive experience with border security surveillance in the West Bank.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Israel drills for possible war with Hezbollah

Despite Lebanon's economic crisis and Hezbollah being unlikely to launch a war amid such a dire situation, defense analysts warn that war is still possible.

Saudi air force

US approves sale of air-to-air missiles to Saudi Arabia

The Biden administration says the weapons are key to Saudi Arabia's self-defense from Iran-backed drone attacks out of Yemen.

This picture shows a High Availability Aerostat System (HAAS) in northern Israel, on Nov. 4, 2021.

Israel floats trial for new balloon-based drone, missile-detecting radar

The early-detection balloon and radar are the latest in Israel's rapidly growing arsenal of missile defense systems.

Sudanese youths confront security forces amidst tear gas fired by them to disperse protesters in the capital Khartoum, on Oct. 27, 2021, amid ongoing demonstrations against a military takeover that has sparked widespread international condemnation.

Intel: US sees role for Sudan’s military in government if coup reversed

The Biden administration is relying on economic pressure to push Gen. Burhan to reinstate deposed civilian leaders.

bomber

US flies B-1 bomber over Middle East amid tensions with Iran

The Pentagon is renewing show-of-strength flights over the Persian Gulf as the US waits for talks over Iran's nuclear program to resume.

A Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jet taxis on a runway during an air show at the Teknofest festival at Ataturk Airport, Istanbul, Turkey, Sept. 17, 2019.

Intel: Pentagon holds 'productive' talks with Turkey over F-35 dispute

All eyes are on next week's Glasgow summit as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seeks to talk F-35s and F-16s with US President Joe Biden.