Turkey says Qatar Eurofighter jet deal still on track despite Iran war Ankara expects Doha to submit a draft sales contract for the fighter jets, as Turkey seeks to acquire aircraft that can be delivered sooner than its newly ordered Eurofighters. Turkey
Turkey sends Mecca defense pact with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan to parliament for ratification Ankara is weighing military assistance to Riyadh as Houthi attacks intensify, though any Turkish deployment is expected to be limited. Turkey
Meet Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi, Iran's defense minister nominee Akhlaghi Ketabchi has been heavily involved in Iran's missiles programs, and it is not clear how much input Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had in the nomination process. Iran
Analysis Turkey revives F-16 talks with US amid Israel, Greece deterrence concerns Ankara’s renewed talks with Washington come as older aircraft near retirement while the Eurofighter and Kaan remain years from filling Turkey’s future air-power needs. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Exclusive Rights, faith groups urge Congress to block $2.8B bomb sale to Israel By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Analysis Why Netanyahu is distancing himself from Trump ahead of Israeli election By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Turkey's defense industry sees rise of 'the president’s men' Decision-making power in Turkey's defense industry is shifting from the military to businessmen close to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Qatar
Turkey lobbies Congress against lifting Cyprus arms embargo as tensions mount Ankara is scrambling to keep Congress from lifting a three-decade arms embargo on Cyprus as US-Turkey tensions mount. Turkey
Intel: What’s behind Putin’s arms sale proposal to Saudis Putin's offer of defense missile systems for the Saudis was political but there's more to this in the runup to his visit to Riyadh. Saudi Arabia
Will Russia reinforce Iraq's air defenses? Iraqi authorities are considering moves to reinforce the country's air defense systems with Russian help following alleged Israeli strikes. Iraq
Pentagon may consider Turkey rejoining F-35 if it ditches Russian missile system Defense Secretary Mark Esper said today that the United States would “consider” letting Turkey back into the F-35 program if it got rid of the Russian S-400 system. Turkey
Turkey’s military base in Qatar to expand with air, naval elements Turkey and Qatar have agreed to expand the Qatar-Turkey Combined Joint Force Command in Doha with aerial and naval components as stakes grow higher in the Gulf region. Qatar
Intel: Why Turkey is intent on proceeding with Russian arms deal The first shipment of the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system will arrive in Turkey “within one week or 10 days,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced yesterday. Turkey
Trump blames Obama for Turkey’s purchase of Russian weapons The US president said his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been treated unfairly over his decision to buy Russian-made missiles that may jeopardize NATO security. But he stopped short of saying they have a deal to spare Turkey economic sanctions once it acquires the antiaircraft system. Turkey
Turkey makes case to Congress to drop S-400 sanctions Turkey is making a final pitch to Congress to prevent US sanctions for purchasing a Russian air defense system, according to documents reviewed by Al-Monitor. Turkey
Russia, Iran in tug of war over Syria military reform Moscow and Tehran have disparate views on how the Syrian military should be reformed. Syria
US denies willingness to talk over S-400 concerns with Turkey A Pentagon spokesman told Al-Monitor that its concerns with Ankara’s purchase of the Russian missile defense system “cannot be mitigated.” Turkey
Can US convince Turkey to undo 'done deal' with Russia? Although there are some signs of warming between the United States and Turkey over the situation in northeast Syria, many in Ankara feel it is too little, too late. Turkey
