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

A Ukrainian serviceman loads a machine gun in a dugout on the front line with Russia-backed separatists.

Ukraine uses Turkish drone for first time against pro-Russian forces

Turkey's ties with Ukraine have complicated relations with Russia.

US President Joe Biden (R) speaks with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

With F-16 deal in limbo, Erdogan-Biden meeting postponed to Glasgow

Following a diplomatic row this week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters Tuesday he would seek to confirm a divisive F-16 deal with US counterpart Joe Biden at the COP26 conference in Glasgow.

Israel air

Israel's room to maneuver in Syrian skies faces new constraints

Recent geopolitical changes in the region are reducing Israel’s ability to act against the Iranian presence in Syria.

An Israeli air force F-15 fighter takes off during the Blue Flag multinational air defense exercise at Ovda air force base, north of Eilat, Israel, Oct. 24, 2021.

Israel, UAE send signal to Iran during Israeli air force drill

For the first time ever, the commander of the Emirati air force openly observes the international Blue Flag military drill taking place this week in Israel.

Sudanese men protest against a military coup that overthrew the transition to civilian rule, on Oct. 25, 2021 in the al-Shajara district in southern Khartoum.

US freezes aid to Sudan in response to military takeover

The Biden administration urged Sudan’s military to reinstate the civilian-led government, threatening an end to much-needed assistance.

A Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter takes off during an air show at the Teknofest festival at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul on September 17, 2019.

Intel: Turkey’s Erdogan wants to talk F-35 dispute with Biden in Rome

After boasting about future defense ties with Russia, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he's hopeful the United States will sell Turkey more F-16s.

Visitors attend Gitex Shopper at the World Trade Center, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sept. 24, 2017.

UAE budget boosts cybersecurity

The huge increase of cyberattacks during the coronavirus pandemic, digital transformation and terrorism threats have pushed the UAE to secure its cyberborders through high expenditure within its new budget.

Pakistani soldiers wear facemasks on the closed border of Pakistan-Iran in Taftan, as fears over the spread of the coronavirus escalate following an outbreak in neighboring Iran, Pakistan, Feb. 25, 2020.

Iran, Pakistan work to strengthen ties as Afghan situation remains fluid

Iran and Pakistan are talking about the strengthening of their military relations, in the face of the Taliban takeover in neighboring Afghanistan and the region's geopolitical changes.

Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (C) welcomes Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (R) and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades (L).

Egypt-Greece-Cyprus summit prioritizes energy cooperation

Egypt is also working to repair its relations with Greece and Cyprus’ rival, Turkey.

The Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drone is pictured on Dec. 16, 2019.

Drone sale to Ethiopia could jeopardize Turkey-Egypt dialogue

Turkey risks derailing normalization talks with Egypt by selling armed drones to Ethiopia, in addition to coming under international fire should Ethiopia use the drones in the conflict in Tigray.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Erdogan says US, not Turkey, proposed F-16 sale

Turkey's president said the plan to sell dozens of F-16s to Ankara was Washington’s idea.

France Greece

Is Turkey losing Washington?

Erdogan’s revisionist foreign policy looks squeezed between the Eastern Mediterranean anvil and the Syrian hammer.