Defense/Security cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with King of Jordan Abdullah II during a signing ceremony at The Great Hall Of The People on Sept. 9, 2015, in Beijing, China.

Jordan's King Abdullah heads to China in first visit since 2015: What to know

Ahead of the visit, King Abdullah said that Jordan hopes to expand cooperation with China in green energy, tourism and aviation.

AFP via Getty Images

US general meets Lebanon’s army chief as ceasefire with Israel teeters

Control over a strategic ridge overlooking Nabatieh is emerging as a flashpoint between the Israeli military and Lebanon ahead of the next expected round of negotiations in September.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

SPA

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.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attends a press conference in Moscow on June 16, 2026.

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.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Latest News

New deal reduces Russia’s military presence in Syria: What to know

A Syrian rebel fighter looks on as he stands at an inspection checkpoint for incoming vehicles before a Russian flag and Russian soldiers behind manning the entrance of the Russian-leased Syrian military base of Hmeimim in Latakia province in western Syria on Dec. 29, 2024.

Analysis

As US rethinks regional presence, Israel shifts focus to destabilizing Iran

Hussein FALEH / AFP via Getty Images

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Turkey’s defense exports reach record $5.79B in first 7 months of 2026

People look at a drone on display at the Baykar exhibit at the SAHA International Defense and Aerospace Expo on May 6, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Analysis

Katz riles Iran, US as Netanyahu-Trump meeting raises questions

Win McNamee/Getty Images

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

A general view shows office buildings at al-Raidah Digital City of the Saudi capital Riaydh on Feb. 28, 2022.

Israelis begin doing deals in Saudi Arabia

Following a change in Saudi Arabia’s entry requirements, dozens of Israeli businesspeople arrived recently to Riyadh and even closed deals there.

Israel Africa

Abraham Accords accelerate Israel-Africa rapprochement

Israeli and African diplomats are engaged in expanding bilateral relations and taking them much further then ever before in many fields.

BULENT KILIC/AFP via Getty Images

Israelis warned to leave Turkey over Iran threat

Following the killing of Sayad Kohdai last week, Iran has warned it will avenge his death by targeting Israeli businesspeople in Turkey.

Female soldiers from the Israeli army's Caracal battalion take a break in their Hummer between patrols on June 12, 2007.

IDF to integrate women into elite air force unit

In another victory in the principle of gender equality, the Israel Defense Forces will now open its air force elite Rescue Unit 669 to women.

RONEN ZVULUN/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli leadership divided on Iran deal

Israel’s top security and intelligence officials can’t agree on whether Israel is better off with or without an Iran nuclear deal.

Israeli protesters wave national flags as they march toward Tzahal Square during the Flag March organized by nationalist parties, Jerusalem, April 20, 2022.

Israel on high alert ahead of Sunday’s Jerusalem march

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett took a final decision that the flag march in Jerusalem’s Old City will take place as decided beforehand, with police at maximum alert across the country.

KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey's NATO obstinance threatens more than Nordic membership

From the vantage point of the West, giving in to Ankara’s demands from Finland and Sweden amounts to letting an autocrat design the security architecture of Europe.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett chairs the weekly Cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem, Feb. 20, 2022.

IRGC colonel's assassination highlights Israel's shift in tactics against Iran

After the killing of IRGC colonel Hassan Sayyad Khodaei, reports claim that Israel has multiplied its efforts against Iranian entrenchment in Syria and Lebanon, against Hezbollah's precision missile project and against terrorism by Iranian agents.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (R) and Israeli Minister of Defense Benny Gantz (L) stand at attention during the playing of the Israeli national anthem at an arrival ceremony at the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia, June 3, 2021.

In Washington, Israeli defense minister reiterates warnings on Iran

The Iranian nuclear program and its support of regional and global terror were the focus of the meeting in Washington May 19 between Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

JACQUELYN MARTIN/AFP via Getty Images

Israel’s defense minister restores Iran to internal political agenda

Bracing for possible new elections, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz is making the most of his public statements on the Iranian nuclear threat.

Israel's Defense Minister Benny Gantz (R) meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Israel’s army simulates attack on Iran

The warning by Defense Minister Benny Gantz over Iran manufacturing and installing 1,000 advanced centrifuges, and the IDF drill simulating an attack on Iran, express growing concerns in Jerusalem over the reported failure of the Vienna talks.

Jewish Ukrainian refugees wait in Moldova to board plane to Tel Aviv

Debate in Israel continues over Ukrainian refugees

The Tel Aviv District Court ordered yesterday the State to offer Ukrainian refugees working permits, so they can live in dignity.