Analysis Without exit strategy, Israel faces emboldened Hezbollah, limited options on Iran While President Donald Trump remains undecided on striking Iran again, the Israeli military is sinking deeper into its Lebanon quagmire with a reinforced Hezbollah. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
In first, Libya’s rival armies to join drill in Turkey: What to know The move follows the first joint exercise inside Libya amid renewed international efforts to unify the country. Turkey
Turkey’s military spending jumps to $30B, leads Mideast growth in 2025 Newly released data shows Ankara’s military spending hit $30 billion, while Saudi Arabia remained the region’s top spender and Israel’s outlays declined in 2025. Turkey
Analysis Turning point on Israel? Democrats’ Senate vote signals shift driven by Iran, Gaza wars Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims he wants to wean Israel off Washington's $3.8 billion in annual military funding within the decade. At least one Democratic contender for 2028 agrees. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis Why Saudi Arabia, Egypt are wary of Turkey’s proposed 4-way defense pact with Pakistan By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Israel sees chance of US-Iran deal as almost 'non-existent,' readies for war By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Italy’s TB3 drone deal signals turn toward Turkey amid US-NATO tensions By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
US arms sale to Bahrain raises questions about sustainability The $3.8 billion sale of jets and patrol boats dwarfs the tiny emirate’s annual defense budget. Bahrain
Senate could reverse billions of dollars of cuts to Israeli defense sector An amendment from Sen. Lindsey Graham would allow Israel to continue using US military financing on its own domestic industry. Israel
Senior Iranian diplomat: US is serious about killing nuclear deal The head of Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations warns that the US administration is serious in its efforts to kill the nuclear deal. Saudi Arabia
How wise is Turkey’s plan to revoke Gulen’s citizenship? Ankara has laid the legal groundwork to revoke the citizenship of the accused mastermind of last year’s coup attempt, Fethullah Gulen, a controversial move in which some see covert motives. Turkey
Court could force Israel to rethink nuke policy Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu keeps issuing warnings on Iran’s nuclear program, but refuses to discuss the hazards of Israel’s own nuclear policy. Israel
Don’t let Islamic State slip the noose in Syria As Russia beefs up its offensive in Syria, the situation there looks promising, but it’s time for Moscow and Washington to cooperate in a final push to eliminate the Islamic State. Syria
Will Russia tolerate Israeli actions in Syria? The large IDF drill near Israel’s northern borders, sends a clear message to Hezbollah: if the organization decides to attack Israel, Israel won’t hesitate to destroy Lebanon’s infrastructure. Israel
Egypt unwavering to US pressure over North Korea The cooperation between Egypt and North Korea under Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has continued despite calls from Washington to freeze the relationship. Egypt
US looks to Russia to avoid run-ins with Syrian troops in Deir ez-Zor The Pentagon is considering expanding its de-confliction agreements with Moscow as Bashar al-Assad’s forces and US-backed rebels both turn their attention to eastern Syria. Iraq
Key Senate panel votes to slash Palestinian aid over ‘martyr’ payments The Senate Appropriations Committee wrapped the Taylor Force Act into its annual foreign aid spending bill, greatly improving its chances of becoming law. Palestine
Senate panel slashes military aid to Egypt Frustrated appropriators vote to cut military assistance to Cairo by $300 million. Egypt
Zarif: Europe will stick to nuclear deal if US abandons it Iran’s foreign minister asserts that Europe will continue implementing the nuclear deal even if the United States decides to abandon it. Iran