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
Kidnapping of Iranians puts Iran-Pakistan ties to the test The Oct. 16 kidnapping of 14 Iranian security personnel by a Pakistan-based terrorist group is putting the spotlight on the viability of the nascent security cooperation between Iran and Pakistan. Iran
Saad Hariri: loose witness in MBS prosecution The Lebanese prime minister now has one on the crown prince; Mohammed bin Salman goes after his inner circle; Netanyahu needs Putin for possible deal on the Golan. Saudi Arabia
Iraqi army, non-local PMUs at cross-purposes in western Anbar Non-local Popular Mobilization Units seem to be quietly gaining influence on Iraq’s border with Syria against a backdrop of attacks on local facilities now under the control of the Iraqi army. Iraq
Putin, Sisi take Russia-Egypt relations to 'strategic level' Moscow and Cairo signed a strategic cooperation agreement that is supposed to open new venues for bilateral relations in the military, political and cultural domains. Egypt
Is Russia’s S-300 delivery to Syria a game-changer? Russia's deployment of S-300 missile defense systems to Syria has both political and military significance, but might not necessarily change the overall balance of forces with regard to Israel. Israel
Iran's launch of ‘Look East’ 2.0 The recent Regional Security Dialogue in Tehran is an indication that Iran sees security multilateralism as a mechanism to confront US pressure and maintain the regional balance of power in its favor. Syria
Brunson affair becomes litmus test for Turkish-US ties Uncertainty remains over whether the American pastor will be released from detention next week by a Turkish court. Turkey
Will Iran, Turkey jointly confront US influence east of the Euphrates? Iran and Turkey are gearing their policies in Syria toward jointly tackling the current status quo in northeastern Syria, where US-backed forces constitute a common threat to both Turkish and Iranian interests. Syria
Iran FM: Trump ‘repeating the same mistakes’ Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the Donald Trump administration is repeating the same mistakes that led to the US invasion and occupation of Iraq and growing chaos and instability in the Middle East. Iraq
Erdogan in Germany: A controversial but successful visit Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Germany has been an achievement as he managed to return to Turkey without committing himself to improve the human rights and democracy record of his country while getting what he wanted. Turkey
Pushing multilateralism, Iran hosts regional security conference Iran hosted its first Regional Security Dialogue with senior security officials from China, India, Russia and Afghanistan as the Iranian media touts a positive UN General Assembly gathering for Tehran. Iran
