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

Fatima Shbair/Getty Images

Israel asks Egypt to pressure Hamas to end border violence

In a meeting yesterday between senior Israeli and Egyptian defense officials, Israel asked Egypt to pressure Hamas to stop the ongoing nightly demonstrations by the Gaza border.

(L to R) Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khaled al-Sabah, OIC Secretary-General Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, Qatars Emir Sheikh Tamim al-Thani, French President Emmanuel Macron, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, Iraq's Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Jordan's King Abdullah II, Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Nayef al-Hajraf, Irani

What Erdogan missed in skipping Baghdad conference

The Turkish president’s absence from the regional summit in Baghdad underscores the urgent need for Turkey to mend fences with Iraq and rethink the cost of its confrontational policies in the region.

JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images

UK willing to strike IS-K in Afghanistan after withdrawal

The United Kingdom can strike Afghanistan if the opportunity is presented, the Royal Air Force chief has said.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Pentagon does not dispute civilian deaths in Kabul drone strike

The Pentagon says military officials spoke with Taliban contacts to investigate reports of civilian casualties from yesterday's drone strike.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli bill gives ultra-Orthodox choice between IDF service, work

A new IDF conscription bill offers the ultra-Orthodox a choice between military service and going to work.

In this handout provided by U.S. Central Command Public Affairs, U.S. Air Force loadmasters and pilots assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, load passengers aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III in support of the Afghanistan evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) on Aug. 24, 2021 in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Taliban to seek Qatar’s help running Kabul airport

Report of request comes after Afghanistan's new rulers requested Turkey's assistance running Hamid Karzai International Airport.

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OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli leaders send condolences to Americans on Afghanistan attack

Leaders from both the coalition and the opposition in Israel sent messages of sympathy to the American people and for all those who lost family members and friends at the double Afghanistan suicide attack.

WAKIL KOHSAR/AFP via Getty Images

Afghans, US troops killed in blasts targeting Kabul airport evacuations

US officials feared the local faction called the Islamic State-Khorasan could attack the beleaguered airfield in the Afghan capital.

British and Canadian soldiers stand guard near a canal in the late hours of Aug. 22, 2021, as Afghans wait outside the foreign military-controlled part of the airport in Kabul

Turkey begins pulling troops from Kabul airport as US deadline looms

Ankara's proposal to keep troops at Kabul airport appears dead in the water, at least for now.

XVIII Airborne Corps assists with Kabul airport evacuation

Sources: Taliban move helped US keep Afghans off Kabul airfield last week

The original plan to secure Kabul airport took the presence of Afghan security forces for granted, a US official said.

Afghan evacuees in German military plane

No plans to increase troops at Kabul airport as deadline looms, Pentagon says

Evacuation flights peaked over the past 24 hours, but security fears are growing amid Taliban warning.

Washington Pulse

Mohamed Roble

Egypt pledges support to Somalia, eyeing Horn of Africa influence

Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Roble held talks in Cairo with senior Egyptian officials at a time when Egypt is attempting to expand its influence in the Horn of Africa.