Explainer As Turkey rivalry heats up, Greece to acquire $4B Israeli air defense system The Greek defense minister said that the air defense system will be operational within 35 months. Israel
Turkey to begin surveys for planned northern Cyprus gas pipeline The planned 63-mile link is intended to supply gas for electricity generation but has drawn condemnation from the Republic of Cyprus amid rising rivalries in the eastern Mediterranean. Turkey
Iran war to cost US $37.5B by end of September, Hegseth tells Senate Pentagon’s conservative estimate includes military pay and "operations and maintenance" costs, but does not factor in damage to military bases in the region. Iran
Analysis As Turkey eyes US naval revival, here is why big warship deals are unlikely Turkey's shipbuilding industry could help ease pressure on overstretched US naval yards, though political, technological and financial hurdles make support work more likely than building major US warships. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis As US ties fray, top Oman official visits China: What to know By Joyce Karam , Rosaleen Carroll
Interview Why Strait of Hormuz no longer rattles oil markets as much: IMF Jihad Azour Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund
Analysis As Trump prioritizes Hormuz, Israel fears Iran rebuilding nuclear program while preserving ballistic missile threat By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
US Navy sends guided-missile submarine to Middle East amid Iran tensions US show of force comes as Pentagon extends aircraft carrier deployment following last month's lethal attack by Iran-backed militias on US personnel in Syria. Iran
Egypt's Sisi unlikely to reconcile with Erdogan before Turkey's election The Turkish military presence in Libya remains the key snag in Ankara’s efforts to mend fences with Egypt. Turkey
Turkey, Greece take strides in Ankara meeting as aid diplomacy continues A meeting of senior Turkish and Greek diplomats in Ankara is the latest diplomatic contact spurred by post-disaster diplomacy, and the fourth meeting of the “Positive Agenda” initiative. Turkey
Egypt signs $1.6 billion deals with China, EU companies to develop sea ports The Egyptian government wants its Red Sea and Mediterranean ports to help boost the economy amid rising inflation and declining foreign currency reserves. Egypt
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt rank among world’s top 10 arms importers: SIPRI Middle East countries made up more than a fourth of the top 40 global arms importers from 2018 to 2022, according to a new report. Legacy: Gulf
Western allies join US' experimental drone task force in Middle East Task Force 59 is now fully operationally capable, Fifth Fleet commander Vice Adm. Brad Cooper told an audience of Navy personnel in Washington on Tuesday. Legacy: Gulf
Egypt’s Sisi gets warm welcome at Pentagon as Cairo assumes naval role Egypt took charge of Combined Task Force 153 on Monday as the Pentagon seeks to economize its footprint in the Middle East. Egypt
Iran’s IRGC navy harassed US ships in Strait of Hormuz, US says An IRGC patrol boat harassed two US Navy ships just days after one of them was involved in the seizure of 50 tons of smuggled ammunition bound for Yemen. Legacy: Gulf
Erdogan-Sisi handshake sparks backlash from Turkey's Islamists President Erdogan’s about-face on Egypt sparked backlash from some Turkish Islamists ahead of critical June elections. Turkey
Israel agrees for Qatar to drill in Lebanese maritime gas field After agreeing for TotalEnergies and Eni to go ahead with exploration drilling at the Lebanese cross-border Kana-Sidon reservoir, Israel has approved the Qatari Energy Consortium to buy the drilling rights. Israel
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. Israel
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. Israel
