France’s Macron first Western leader to visit Saudi Arabia since Houthi escalation French President Emmanuel Macron met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a surprise stop in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
US moving away from Middle East security guarantor role, Barrack says The US envoy said that direct US military intervention on the ground against the Houthis would be "fruitless." By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Turkey's defense industry set to hit $20B in new contracts in 2026 The expanding defense industry sector has also become a foreign-policy tool for Ankara, deepening military partnerships with countries including Saudi Arabia. Turkey
Analysis 'The problem and the solution': Netanyahu-Sharaa call exposes Israel's Syria dilemma The Israeli leader revealed that he spoke with the Syrian president last year, but stalled talks and Israel's fortification of a security zone on Syrian land underscore his mistrust of Sharaa. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Hormuz attacks spike after US airstrike on Iran-linked tanker By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Exclusive In bid to win over Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu may strike Yemen before elections By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Why Saudi-Pakistan defense pact remains key as Mecca alliance takes shape By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Israel ups the alarm on Iranian drones Defense Minister Benny Gantz revealed this week that Iran tried transferring explosives in 2018 from Syria to terror elements in the West Bank using an unmanned aerial vehicle. Israel
Is Saudi defense reform a win-win for Washington and Riyadh? The US should consider a shift from arms sales to supporting Saudi defense industry reform and expansion. Legacy: Gulf
Jordan to support US Navy unmanned drone task force in Red Sea The Royal Jordanian Naval Base at Aqaba will host the US 5th Fleet's Task Force 59 to test unmanned surface craft in the coming weeks. Jordan
Israel formalizes bilateral defense ties in Rabat In a first official visit to Rabat, Defense Minister Benny Gantz signed a landmark memorandum of understanding with his Moroccan counterpart Abdellatif Loudiyi. Israel
Israel-UAE trade reaches $700 million Israel’s representative in Dubai said there is going to be a “surge” of business between Israel and the Emirates. News Brief
Morocco acquires Israeli anti-drone air defense system Israel's defense minister is expected in Rabat on Wednesday to finalize further deals. Morocco
Pentagon chief to assure allies of US commitment in Bahrain, UAE Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will speak at the Manama Dialogue forum on Saturday morning. United Arab Emirates
Israeli-Egyptian meetings mark rapprochement progress The expected visit to Israel in a few days of Egyptian Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel reflects the trend of rapprochement in recent months between Jerusalem and Cairo. Israel
Iraq diversifies arms imports after US withdrawal from Afghanistan The US withdrawal may have spurred Iraq to consider purchases from Turkey and Pakistan, according to report by the Pentagon's Inspector General. News Brief
US envoy asks Israel to intervene in Sudan, says local press According to Israeli reports, visiting US envoy to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield asked Defense Minister Benny Gantz to step in in Sudan. Israel
Erdogan envisions alliance of Turkic-speaking states The recent summit of Turkic-speaking states has fueled Ankara’s ambitions to lead a Turkic regional economic and security complex, but major geopolitical, economic and institutional hurdles remain. Turkey
Leadership urges caution as Israeli tourists held in Istanbul Israel is concerned that the prolonged detention in Istanbul of tourists Natali and Mordi Oknin bodes ill for rapprochement between the two countries. Israel
