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

Smoke rises from the Syria's Afrin region, as it is pictured from near the Turkish town of Hassa, on the Turkish-Syrian border in Hatay province, Turkey January 20, 2018. REUTERS/Osman Orsal - RC1E9965CD20

Turkish troops cross Syrian border near Afrin

Turkey, after bombing Afrin, moves troops across the Syrian border near the Kurdish-controlled area.

Turkey plays catch-up with militarization in Red Sea

A scramble for military influence along the Red Sea could lead to a trade disaster as Turkey also looks to establish a military foothold in the area.

United Arab Emirates

Iraqi counterterrorism forces sit in a top of a military vehicle in Falluja, Iraq, June 23, 2016. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani - S1AETLOGUBAB

Iraq backs off plans to double number of US-trained counterterrorism forces

With all of Iraq now liberated from the Islamic State, the elite Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service is shifting its focus away from large-scale battles.

Opposition fighters prepare to fire missiles from a village near al-Tamanah during ongoing battles with government forces in Syria's Idlib province on January 11, 2018.
The regime hopes to seize control of southeast parts of Idlib province to secure a main road between the capital Damascus and the northern city of Aleppo. / AFP PHOTO / OMAR HAJ KADOUR (Photo credit should read OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP/Getty Images)

Turkey calls on Russia, Iran to get Syrian army under control

The Syrian army's attacks against armed groups at Idlib could ignite tensions between Russia and Turkey.

FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses servicemen as he visits the Hmeymim air base in Latakia Province, Syria December 11, 2017. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Sputnik via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY/File Photo - RC13F85C4140

Russian media tries to sort out source of attack on Syria air base

Russia says it has increased security on its Khmeimim air base in Syria after a Dec. 31 attack on the base, one of the worst in the country's two-year involvement in the Syrian war.

Erdogan takes total control of Turkish defense industry

With yet another emergency status decree, Turkey's president makes himself top gun of the country's entire defense industry.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (R) waves to the media next to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov before their meeting at the State Department in Washington, U.S., May 10, 2017. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas - RC1BCFEEBFB0

What 2018 looks like for Russia, US regarding Syria

Will US and Russian relations in the new year involve cooperation, confrontation or attempts to carefully balance both?

Iran gradually moving toward resumed military ties with Europe

Acknowledging that military cooperation with leading European powers is not on the table, Iran is seeking out European middle powers.

Master Sgt. Richard Harris, 149th Military Engagement Team, Kentucky National Guard, places Royal Army of Oman soldiers in different formations to demon-strate tactical movement for a variety of scenarios during a Mountain Warfare Information Exchange, May 9, 2017, near Salalah, Oman. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Atanovich, 149th Military Engagement Team)

Pentagon surges weapons into Middle East terror fight

The Pentagon is using a little-known fund to give a boost to counterterrorism operations throughout the Middle East.

Russian soldiers and civilians walk along a street in Aleppo, Syria January 30, 2017. Picture taken January 30, 2017. REUTERS/Ali Hashisho - RC150FD10090

Russia finds neutral zones in Syria essential but tricky

Moscow hopes to focus soon on rebuilding Syria's shattered infrastructure, but first must help restore stability, which could prove much more difficult.

Turkey's 'war machine' goes global

The ambitious Turkish gendarmerie command is seeking to form a cooperative agency with countries in and around Central Asia as part of its increased involvement in Turkey's foreign policy.

A view of the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Yemen August 16, 2017. Picture taken August 16, 2017. To match Special Report YEMEN-SAUDI/BLOCKADE REUTERS/Abduljabbar Zeyad - RC11826AF340

US says Saudis agree to lift blockade on key Yemen port

The Saudis announced they will lift a blockade on a key Yemen port after growing pressure from the Trump administration.