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

Israeli soldiers stand near a Merkava IV battle tank parked in a military post near the Syrian border in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, Jan. 24, 2022.

Israel fears fire exchange with Syria could indicate strategic shift

Israel strikes military targets in Damascus amid increased concerns over Syria-Russia ties.

South Korean army K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzers fire during a live-fire drill in Pocheon, northeast of Seoul, South Korea, March 24, 2011.

Egypt signs major arms deal with South Korea

Egypt and South Korea signed a $1.66 billion deal to provide K9 self-propelled howitzers manufactured by Hanwha Defense to Egypt, and to locally develop arms, as the Egyptian army continues to diversify its weapons sources.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (L) attend a signing ceremony regarding the agreements between the two countries at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on Nov. 24, 2021.

Iran emerges as catalyst for closer ties on Turkey-UAE-Israel triangle

Attacks on Emirati and Turkish targets by forces hostile to normalization with Israel are unlikely to be just coincidence as the prospect of new regional partnerships irks Iran.

This picture taken on Nov. 14, 2021, shows a view of a missile on display at the booth of EDGE advanced technology group for defense, at the 2021 Dubai Airshow in the Gulf emirate.

US approves $4.2 billion F-16 sale to Jordan, air defense systems to Gulf

Lockheed Martin's THAAD air defense system marked its first successful combat shoot-downs during ballistic missile attacks on the UAE in recent weeks.

Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

Israel still hesitant to rehab diplomatic relations with Turkey

Jerusalem seems unconvinced that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sincerely wants to improve bilateral relations.

Israel's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid speaks during a joint press conference with his Bahraini counterpart in the capital Manama, Bahrain, Sept. 30, 2021.

Israel expresses interest in NATO-like Mideast alliance

The memorandum of understanding Defense Minister Benny Gantz signed yesterday with Bahrain, constitutes another step in Israel’s efforts to establish an anti-Iran regional alliance.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Emirati Defense Minister Abdullah Bin Hassan Al Nuaimi

Israel signs security cooperation agreement with Bahrain

On a first public visit to Manama, Defense Minister Benny Gantz signed a memorandum of understanding, formalizing the security relationship between Israel and Bahrain.

Image released by US Naval Forces Central Command on Jan. 31, 2022, shows Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa (C); Vice Admiral Brad Cooper (C-L); and Maggie Nardi (2nd-L), charge d'affairs, US Embassy to Bahrain, at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain.

Israel takes part in naval exercise with Saudi Arabia, Oman

Israel is for the first time taking part in the US Navy-led International Maritime Exercise.

Navy Persian Gulf

US to deploy fighter jets, Navy destroyer to UAE after missile attacks

Houthi barrages on the UAE are stress-testing Biden’s commitment to end US involvement in Yemen’s civil war.

An Israeli air force mechanic inspects an F-16 fighter at Ovda air force base north of the Israeli city of Eilat, on Oct. 24, 2021.

Israel to use laser air defense system within year, PM says

Naftali Bennett also said he hopes ongoing talks over Iran's nuclear program "end without agreement."

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaks at the Jerusalem Post's annual coference, Jerusalem, Oct. 12, 2021.

Israeli PM pledges Iran will no longer be untouchable

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett says even if there is a nuclear agreement with Iran, "it will not bind us."

President Joe Biden meets with Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani in the Oval Office on Jan. 31, 2022, in Washington, DC.

Biden eyes Qatar as major non-NATO ally

The upgrade in ties comes as the United States is seeking Doha's help in supplying natural gas to Europe.