Defense/Security cooperation

Fighters loyal to the Houthi authorities shout slogans during a rally to recruit more fighters, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Sept. 10, 2026.

Analysis

Why Saudi Arabia's balancing act with US, Iran, Houthis risks collapse

Houthi rebels escalated their attacks on Tuesday, triggering alerts around the holy city of Mecca, Taif and the Red Sea port city of Jeddah.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Win McNamee/Getty Images

CENTCOM chief meets Saudi Arabia's MBS amid Houthi gains in Yemen

The low-profile meeting between the Pentagon's commander in the Middle East and Saudi crown prince comes as Yemen's Houthis seized the high ground overlooking a vital economic waterway.

El Alamein International Airshow

Turkey’s defense giants court Egypt at Alamein Airshow: What to know

Three leading Turkish defense companies are participating in the El Alamein Airshow as Ankara seeks new sales and closer military-industrial cooperation with Egypt.

TOPSHOT - Explosions from projectile interceptions by Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system are pictured over Tel Aviv on February 28, 2026. The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, with Israel's public broadcaster reporting that the Iranian supreme leader had been targeted, as the Islamic republic retaliated with barrages of missiles at Gulf states and Israel. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel braces for Iran attack as Trump’s economic squeeze on Tehran intensifies

Skeptical about the effectiveness of the American economic blockade on Tehran to weaken the regime, Israel is preparing for the possibility that Iran could decide to strike the Jewish state during the upcoming high holidays.

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

Latest News

Analysis

LORA missile test reveals limits of Germany’s Gaza criticism of Israel

A woman walks past a model of a Lora missile, Israel's long range artillery missile at the Israel defence stall at the international DefExpo 2008 defence fair, in New Delhi on February 16, 2008. India kicked off South Asia's largest defence fair, with hundreds of global weapons firms offering their latest hardware to the country's technology-hungry military. About 450 weapons companies from 30 countries are present at the four-day "DefExpo" in New Delhi, with several big-ticket announcements expected. AFP P

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Turkey and Greece's intelligence chiefs hold rare talks: What to know

Ibrahim Kalin, Turkish presidential spokesperson, gives a press conference at the Presidential Complex, Ankara, May 25, 2022.

Xi makes first Egypt visit in decade as Cairo gets caught in US-China AI row

Vehicles drive beneath a large screen displaying portraits of Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (R) and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Cairo on Aug. 31, 2026.

Analysis

Israel favors status quo as tensions in Iran's leadership fuel escalation risk

missile

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

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.

Bagram base in Afghanistan

The Takeaway: Erdogan weighs risks of Afghan mission against benefits for US ties

Also: Gulf airline race takes off; Islamic State steps up Iraq attacks; Fortnite fatwa riles Egyptian gamers; is Israel’s army too small?; child beggars in Gaza’s cemeteries; Iraq unearths 4,000 year old city; and more! All in only about 1,500 words.

ABBAS MOMANI/AFP via Getty Images

Has Israel’s army become too small?

Outgoing IDF deputy chief of staff Eyal Zamir warned this week that Israel's army would struggle to manage the multiple threats facing the country.

Taliban negotiator Suhail Shaheen attends a press conference in Moscow on July 9, 2021.

Taliban renew demand that Turkey leave Afghanistan

American and Turkish officials are still ironing out the last details on how to secure Kabul's airport.

Jordanian King Abdullah and his son Crown Prince Hussein

King Abdullah to be first Arab head of state to meet with Biden

King Abdullah will visit Washington for the first time in two years and is to meet with US President Joe Biden on July 19.

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan

UAE and Georgia sign security cooperation agreement

The agreement will focus on policing and crime, and follows the United Arab Emirates' warming up to Georgia's historical foe Russia.

United Arab Emirates

Prince Khalid at Pentagon in 2019

Intel: Biden administration receives top Saudi official

Biden administration officials meet with brother of Saudi Crown Prince, reaffirm US-Saudi partnership.

An Israeli F35I fighter jet takes part in the "Blue Flag" multinational air defence exercise at the Ovda air force base, north of the Israeli city of Eilat, on Nov. 11, 2019.

Israel activates third squadron of F-35 fighter jets

Israel’s third squadron of F-35 fighter jets are set to be activated next week at Nevatim airbase.

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

UAE orders Italy to withdraw forces from base in arms sale row

The Emirates is kicking Italy's forces out of Al Minhad airbase

United Arab Emirates

ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images

Egypt, Pakistan discuss joining forces against Muslim Brotherhood

Relations between Egypt and Pakistan have grown stronger as both countries seek to restrict the Muslim Brotherhood and parties supporting the group as well as fight extremism in Pakistan.

Kabul airport security detail

Turkey needs to build support for new Afghan mission

Turkey’s offer to secure Kabul’s airport might turn into a perilous mission unless it reaches some understanding with the Taliban and secures the critical support of regional actors such as Pakistan and Iran.