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 The US Air Force's tier-one stealth fighter last June penetrated Iranian airspace undetected to pave the way for B-2 bomber strikes on key nuclear facilities, Pentagon officials said at the time. 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 The Indian prime minister’s visit highlights growing cooperation on defense, AI, drones and regional trade, while signaling closer diplomatic coordination. 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
US pulls non-essential embassy staff from Lebanon as Iran tensions rise By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Iran, Pakistan work to strengthen ties as Afghan situation remains fluid Iran and Pakistan are talking about the strengthening of their military relations, in the face of the Taliban takeover in neighboring Afghanistan and the region's geopolitical changes. Iran
Egypt-Greece-Cyprus summit prioritizes energy cooperation Egypt is also working to repair its relations with Greece and Cyprus’ rival, Turkey. Egypt
Drone sale to Ethiopia could jeopardize Turkey-Egypt dialogue Turkey risks derailing normalization talks with Egypt by selling armed drones to Ethiopia, in addition to coming under international fire should Ethiopia use the drones in the conflict in Tigray. Turkey
Erdogan says US, not Turkey, proposed F-16 sale Turkey's president said the plan to sell dozens of F-16s to Ankara was Washington’s idea. News Brief
Is Turkey losing Washington? Erdogan’s revisionist foreign policy looks squeezed between the Eastern Mediterranean anvil and the Syrian hammer. Turkey
Israel's Lapid discusses Iran, Abraham Accords, US-Israel ties in Washington On a three-day visit in Washington, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid met yesterday with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris. Israel
Iran kicks off air defense drills amid tensions with Israel, Azerbaijan The exercise comes as Israeli officials are reportedly seeking assurances that the Biden administration is ready for joint operations should nuclear negotiations in Vienna fail. Iran
Is Erdogan testing Biden with request to buy more F-16s? Ankara’s surprise request to purchase F-16 jets from the United States looks like a rational decision dictated by military realities, but some suspect it might well be a gambit to set the stage for warplane negotiations with Russia. Turkey
After Merkel’s visit, Israel still waiting on submarine deal Prime Minister Naftali Bennett tried to persuade outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel to finalize the deal for the IDF to purchase three next-generation submarines. Israel
Turkey requests to buy 40 US F-16 fighter planes Just last week Erdogan boasted about potential new defense deals with Russia, including aircraft purchases. News Brief
Tensions between Israel’s Gantz, Bennett threaten coalition stability Defense Minister Benny Gantz is furious with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett over exposing a Mossad operation concerning long-years missing aviator Ron Arad. Israel
Iraq seeks to attach strings to arms purchases from Turkey Talks on the sale of Turkish armed drones and combat helicopters to Iraq have hit snags amid Iraqi efforts to extract concessions on contentious issues in bilateral ties. Turkey
