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
US freezes aid to Sudan in response to military takeover The Biden administration urged Sudan’s military to reinstate the civilian-led government, threatening an end to much-needed assistance. Sudan
Intel: Turkey’s Erdogan wants to talk F-35 dispute with Biden in Rome After boasting about future defense ties with Russia, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he's hopeful the United States will sell Turkey more F-16s. Turkey
UAE budget boosts cybersecurity The huge increase of cyberattacks during the coronavirus pandemic, digital transformation and terrorism threats have pushed the UAE to secure its cyberborders through high expenditure within its new budget. Legacy: Gulf
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
