Explainer Three ways China benefits from Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan pact: What to know The pact points to a more multipolar Middle Eastern security order, one in which Washington is no longer the unquestioned center of Gulf security. China
Analysis Fidan heads to Egypt amid questions over Saudi Arabia-Turkey-Pakistan pact Conflicting accounts of why Egypt stayed out of the agreement have exposed the competing interests shaping the region’s emerging defense architecture. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
New deal reduces Russia’s military presence in Syria: What to know Under a deal announced by Syria, Russia’s military facilities would be turned into joint training centers. Syria
Analysis As US rethinks regional presence, Israel shifts focus to destabilizing Iran Uncertain how to interpret the American regional redeployment, Israel is focusing on efforts to destabilize the Iranian regime and stop its nuclear program. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Katz riles Iran, US as Netanyahu-Trump meeting raises questions By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
US defense intelligence confirms Iran’s drone use in Ukraine The Pentagon report comes a day after the UK government turned over weapons and other evidence to the United Nations that Iran had attempted to ship to Yemen's Houthi rebels in violation of international law. Iran
US general reveals Chinese balloons have flown over the Middle East A senior CENTCOM official said the high-altitude balloons have posed no threat to troops, and he expressed interest in obtaining similar ones to fill gaps in the United States' intelligence collection. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Pentagon, State Department officials in Saudi Arabia to talk Iran strategy Like its predecessors, the Biden administration wants Gulf Cooperation Council states to share air defense intel to defuse potential attacks by Iran, but will they work together? Legacy: Gulf
Israel, Sudan to normalize ties? Not so fast The normalization process is allowing the prime minister to flash his diplomatic bona fides at a time of domestic turmoil, but normalization may still take time. Israel
France's seizure of Iranian weapons to Yemen is a win for Pentagon French forces seized some 3,000 assault rifles, 23 anti-tank rockets and more than half a million rounds of ammunition bound for Yemen's Houthi rebels. Iran
US CENTCOM pulls closer to Israeli military as Mossad tests Iran Training exercise represents the tightest collaboration ever, but CENTCOM's deputy commander told Al-Monitor the US had no involvement in recent strikes attributed to Israel in Isfahan, Iran and eastern Syria. Israel
Chad President to inaugurate new embassy in Israel, as Netanyahu opens to Africa "Israel’s coming back to Africa and Africa [is] coming back to Israel," Netanyahu told Chadian President Mahamat Deby ahead of opening embassy on Thursday. Israel
Israel's Netanyahu to meet Macron in Paris amid Iran tension Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to travel to Paris on Thursday to meet with the French leader. Israel
US warns Americans in Turkey of 'imminent terrorist' attacks The US Embassy in Ankara updated its previous security alert warning its nationals against potential "retaliatory attacks" in response to Quran-burning protests in Europe. Turkey
NATO wants Israel to 're-examine' its aid to Ukraine NATO and Israel are closer than even before on the issue of the Iranian threat but not yet on the same page over assisting Ukraine. Israel
Nine Palestinians killed in Israeli raid in Jenin ahead of Blinken visit Only four days before the arrival to Israel of Secretary of State Antony Blinken, tensions in the West Bank between Israeli security agencies and Palestinian groups increases. Israel
US to provide $72 million in salaries for Lebanon’s cash-strapped army, police Washington's support for Lebanese military staff comes nearly two years after country's top general warned of desertions and his troops' inability to afford food. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
