Turkey defense firms break record with $10B in revenues: SIPRI Turkey set a new record with five companies in the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's Top 100 for 2024, which included nine Middle Eastern countries for the first time amid conflict-driven arms demand. Turkey
US approves $1.4B in military sales to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain: What to know An estimated $1 billion in foreign military sales will go to Saudi Arabia, and $445 million will go to Bahrain. United States
Trump says US will sell F-35s to Saudi Arabia, first Arab country to acquire jets The deal could rattle Washington's ties with Israel and is not likely to be approved by Congress unless conditioned on Saudi normalization of ties with Israel. Saudi Arabia
Turkey grounds all C-130 military aircraft after Georgia crash kills 20 Authorities said the aircraft’s maintenance was up to date, no ammunition was on board and the investigation is ongoing. Turkey
Analysis Turkey boosts R&D spending to $20B amid push for defense self-sufficiency By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis How Turkey’s nuclear submarine bid is a game changer for its naval strategy Time, costs and international politics, not technological expertise, will be Turkey’s main challenge in reaching its aspirations for a nuclear-powered navy. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
After major arms sales, Trump to visit Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar: What to know The president is urging Gulf countries to increase their investment in the US after a series of bilateral economic and defense deals in recent months. Saudi Arabia
Iran's IRGC unveils underground facility housing thousands of ballistic missiles As it navigates crises at home and abroad, Iran has released video footage of an underground “missile city” in an attempt to flex its military might. Iran
US green lights $95 million in aid for Lebanon’s army The Trump administration made an exception to its foreign assistance freeze for a $95 million aid package headed to Lebanon's armed forces. Lebanon
Iran’s IRGC says advanced warship joins naval fleet amid US tensions The addition appears to be Iran's latest strategic yet cautious positioning in the face of strain with the United States and Israel. Iran
Analysis Sudan, Russia reach 'understanding' on naval base but hurdles remain A naval base deal that has been more than five years in the making has gained renewed attention after statements from Sudan’s foreign minister while in Moscow. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Iran unveils new drones in military drill: What to know Amid heightened tensions with the United States and Israel, Iran is flexing its military might. Iran
Iran’s IRGC unveils first drone carrier warship The new warship is the latest locally made addition to Iran’s growing military arsenal. Iran
Israel sells $582M air defense system to Slovakia: What to know The air defense system, developed by Aviv Israel Aerospace Industries, is designed to counter various aerial threats such as ballistic missiles and drones. Israel
Iran conducts record space launch with largest-ever payload Iran's space program has previously concerned the United States and its allies, who claim that its developments go hand-in-hand with those of its ballistic missile program. Iran
Bahrain announces UK inclusion in key security pact with US Bahrain signed the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement with the Biden administration in September 2023; Manama plans to turn it into a multilateral agreement with more members amid regional threats. Bahrain
Iran promises response 'beyond imagination' to Israeli strikes even as deal looms A month after Israel's Oct. 26 strikes on Iran, Iranian officials are ramping up discussions of a response to the attack. Iran
