US strikes Iran military targets as Trump calls for overthrow of regime A US official speaking on condition of anonymity said the operation could last several days, depending on Iran's retaliation. Iran
Analysis Israel, 'ready' for Iran escalation, looks to US to take lead Israel ramps up military readiness as the world’s largest aircraft carrier approaches Haifa. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
US aircraft carrier nears Middle East as Geneva talks end without Iran breakthrough Washington’s flagship aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is in transit across the Mediterranean as US and Iranian negotiators wrapped up a third round of talks in Geneva. Iran
Turkey touts Somalia spaceport as Horn of Africa rivalry heats up A high-level presidential aide said the facility could open new avenues in defense and technology sharing between Turkey and Somalia. Turkey
US F-22 fighter jets reach Israel as military pressure builds on Iran By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis India's Modi arrives in Israel as fears grow of US-Iran conflict By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis Israel fears Trump will clear path for partial Iran deal on nuclear standoff By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
House ratchets up pressure on Egypt The House’s annual foreign aid bill would place conditions on military aid. Egypt
Congressional appropriators move to tie up F-35 deliveries to Turkey The new House foreign aid bill would prohibit spending federal dollars to transfer the jets unless Ankara abandons its plans to buy missile defenses from Moscow. Turkey
Libyan Salafists fight alongside 'secular' Hifter Although Libyan strongman Khalifa Hifter has often been perceived as a secular leader, his Libyan National Army contains many Salafi fighters. Libya
Turkey sticks to its guns on Russian missile-defense deal Despite the efforts of NATO heavy-hitter Jens Stoltenberg, Turkey seems to be moving closer to Russia and its S-400 air-defense system. Turkey
Congress tries to defund US nuclear transfers to Saudi Arabia House Democrats want to use the power of the purse to halt the transfer of US civil nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Iran seeks broader defense cooperation with Russia amid US pressure As part of a long-term military strategy to fortify its defenses against US threats, Iran is moving closer to Russia — with a vision entailing broader defense cooperation. Russia
Can assault on Idlib facilitate Russia-Turkey deal? As the Russian Khmeimim base has come under militant shelling, the Russian military boosted the Syrian army assault on Idlib amid speculation over a back-channel Russian deal with Turkey. Syria
Is Erdogan’s trust in Trump in the S-400/F-35 standoff misplaced? Turkish government officials believe that if Trump was not hamstrung by Congress and the Pentagon, he and Erdogan would have solved this matter by now. Turkey
Deteriorating US-Turkey ties weaken Ankara's hand in other problems Intensive diplomatic traffic between Athens and Washington that emphasizes military cooperation raises the question of whether the United States is seeking an alternative strategic ally to Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean. Turkey
Pakistan steps up efforts to soothe Iran Pakistan is managing to maintain a delicate balance in its foreign relations despite the fierce rivalry between two of its allies, Iran and Saudi Arabia. Legacy: Gulf
Intel: How Russia and Turkey are growing closer at US expense The April 30 phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan covered a broad range of topics, from trade to military cooperation to Syria, as the two countries continue to grow closer amid US-Turkey tensions. Syria
Saudi-led coalition begins paying US back for overdue Yemen war bills Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are on the hook for a $299 million billing error for aerial refueling. Originals
