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 fighter from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) guards a gate as Syrian women wait inside the Kurdish-run al-Hol camp.

Intel: US-led coalition reaffirms support for prisons holding IS fighters in northeast Syria

The coalition commander called the Syrian Kurdish fighters' achievements against the Islamic State "astounding" and reaffirmed international support.

A ship is pictured off the coast of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, where an Israeli-operated ship was attacked opposite the Iranian coast, April 14, 2021.

Israel says Iran behind drone attack on ship

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said there is clear evidence that Iran was involved in the July 29 drone attack on an Israeli-managed ship.

A Hezbollah flag flutters on the Lebanese side of the border fence with Israel, near the northern Israeli settlement of Shtula, July 20, 2021.

Israel weighs risks, options for dealing with Hezbollah’s precise missiles

Hezbollah is expanding its missile capability — what are Israel's options?

Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, speaks during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing in Washington, DC, on June 9, 2021.

Senator urges aid freeze to Egypt amid human rights abuses

Sen. Chris Murphy urged the Biden administration not to bypass US law with this year's military aid package to Cairo.

Washington Pulse

Members of Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian Hamas movement, parade with a drone in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on May 28, 2021.

Lockheed, Israel's Rafael team up to build laser air defense weapon

Israel's Defense Ministry aims to field a ground-based laser capable of shooting down rockets by 2024.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid (L) talks with Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides during a Foreign Affairs Council meeting at the EU headquarters, Brussels, Belgium, July 12, 2021.

Israel sides against Turkey in Cyprus dispute

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said after his meeting with Cypriot counterpart Nikos Christodoulides that Israel is concerned over what it considers a Turkish provocative move in northern Cyprus.

US President Joe Biden meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi (L) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, July 26, 2021.

Biden announces end to US combat mission in Iraq

Following a White House meeting today between US President Joe Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, the two side announced an agreement that the US combat mission in Iraq will end by Dec. 31, 2021.

A Russian S400b4 anti-aircraft rocket system rolls past during the second night of rehearsals in preparation for the WWII Victory Parade in front of a banner informing of a national vote on constitutional changes in Moscow. Russia, June 18, 2020.

US reaffirms stance on Turkey’s S-400, support for Syria’s Kurds

The White House has maintained the previous administration's demands that Ankara dispose of the Russian missile defense system.

Victoria Nuland

US senator says Turkish actions against pro-Kurdish party like ‘if Biden banned the Republican Party’

Democratic and Republican senators voiced heavy criticism of the Turkish government to a State Department official during a Wednesday hearing. The lawmakers accused Ankara of abusing the international police system, being an “aggressor” toward Greece, and much more.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Erdogan takes Taliban's warning in stride

Turkey's leaders are brushing off the Taliban's warnings over extending its mission in Afghanistan.

iranian weapons afghanistan 1998

Grand ayatollah warns against Iran's Taliban approach

The rare criticism came as the Iranian establishment is accused of attempting to canonize the Taliban amid shifting regional dynamics.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai (L) shakes hands with a Turkish soldier.

Turkey shrugs off Taliban warning over Kabul airport

Flights to evacuate Afghan interpreters will begin by the end of July, the White House said today.