Defense/Security cooperation

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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

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

Analysis

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

The German navy tested Israel’s LORA ballistic missile as Berlin considers acquiring the system, deepening defense ties with Israel despite criticism of the Gaza war.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Latest News

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

Israel, Greece sign $3.5 billion air-defense deal: What to know

Mecca Alliance

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Netanyahu’s far-right partners jeopardize Israeli ties with Jordan, Egypt

Statements by future National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and by his party colleague Avi Maoz are putting ties between Israel, Jordan and Egypt at risk.

Israeli security forces guard a bus station at the Tapuach junction near the city of Nablus, West Bank, July 1, 2020.

US concerned over Netanyahu de facto annexing West Bank

For Washington, the concessions Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu is now offering his far-right partners could quickly reignite tensions in the West Bank.

Fighters affiliated with the third corps of the Turkish-backed "Syrian National Army" man a turret at a position near Azaz in the rebel-held north of the Aleppo province, opposite the town of Menagh (Minaq) along the frontlines with areas under control by Syrian government forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), on November 29, 2022.

The Security Briefing: Pentagon tries to reason with Turkey

In this weekly newsletter, Pentagon Correspondent Jared Szuba rounds up the biggest security stories from the region.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Iran, Nov. 29, 2022.

Khamenei urges Iraqi PM to stand up to common 'enemies'

In meeting with Iranian president, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani also asks Iran to expand gas imports to meet electricity needs.

Israeli Knesset member Itamar Ben-Gvir delivers a speech next to his wife Ayala (bottom L) at the Knesset, before a swearing-in ceremony for new members of parliament, Jerusalem, Nov. 15, 2022.

Netanyahu offers national security post to ultranationalist Ben-Gvir

Under the newly created position, Jewish Power leader Itamar Ben-Gvir will manage both the Public Security Ministry and the Border Police forces operating in the West Bank.

A barricade set up by Palestinians blocks a street in case of an Israeli army raid, Jenin, West Bank, Nov. 23, 2022.

Cooperation with Palestinian Authority behind return of abducted Israeli body

Israel's leadership, the Palestinian Authority, the Americans, the UN and even Islamic Jihad contributed to the return to Israel of a body abducted in a West Bank hospital.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech on Iran's nuclear program at the Defense Ministry, Tel Aviv, Israel, April 30, 2018.

Israel warns Iran could attempt to enrich uranium at 90%

Israel’s military intelligence chief Aharon Haliva says Iran could try soon, at least symbolically, to enrich uranium up to a weaponized level.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz walks with the chief of Azerbaijan's State Border Service, Col. Gen. Elchin Guliyev.

Azerbaijan becomes first Shiite country to open embassy in Israel

The decision is a diplomatic victory for outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid. Meanwhile, incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is struggling to assemble his ruling coalition.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz (R) and his Greek counterpart, Nikos Panagiotopoulos.

Israeli Defense Ministry reassures Greece, Cyprus over trilateral alliance

Three weeks after his official visit to Turkey, Defense Minister Benny Gantz visits Greece in an effort to reassure his counterparts that rapprochement with Ankara won’t come at the expense of the trilateral Hellenic partnership.

IRNA/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli-owned tanker hit by drone off Oman coast

No group or country have taken responsibility for the drone attack last night against the Pacific Zircon, but the Israeli security system suspects Iran was behind the hit.

FBI seal

Israel rejects US plan to investigate death of Palestinian journalist

The outgoing and incoming Israeli leaderships agree that Israel will not allow the FBI to investigate the death of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.

Bezalel Smotrich, Israeli far-right lawmaker and leader of the Religious Zionist Party.

US apprehensive Netanyahu will nominate far-right defense minister

More and more American and Arab officials are sending designated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu messages, warning him against offering far-right Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich the defense portfolio.