Defense/Security cooperation

Turkey's submarines and fast-attack craft ships participate in the live-fire phase of the Blue Homeland-2026 (Mavi Vatan) tactical military exercises in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, in Antalya on April 9, 2026.

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.

The US Capitol building is shown on April 20, 2026, in Washington.

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.

Jared Szuba

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

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan hosted the third meeting of the foreign ministers of Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on the margins of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, on April 17, 2026.

Analysis

Why Saudi Arabia, Egypt are wary of Turkey’s proposed 4-way defense pact with Pakistan

The proposed framework faces major hurdles and fault lines, ranging from NATO constraints to Israeli opposition and weak military integration.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel sees chance of US-Iran deal as almost 'non-existent,' readies for war

As US President Trump makes contradictory statements regarding his intentions toward Iran and the ongoing negotiations, Israel is preparing for the possibility of resuming military operations.

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

Latest News

MBS hosts Sudan's Burhan in Jeddah as $1.5B Saudi-backed arms deal stalls

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in Jeddah, on April 20, 2026.

Analysis

Italy’s TB3 drone deal signals turn toward Turkey amid US-NATO tensions

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shake hands during the press conference following their meeting at Villa Doria Pamphilj, on April 29, 2025, in Rome, Italy.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Why Netanyahu caved to Trump on Lebanon and what it means for Israel

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a joint press conference with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Jerusalem on February 26, 2026. (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

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

CENTCOM chief visits Israel, Bahrain amid Iran ceasefire, blockade

CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper meets with IDF Chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir in Israel, March 31, 2026.

Jared Szuba

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

Israel's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid speaks during a joint press conference with his Bahraini counterpart in the capital Manama, Bahrain, Sept. 30, 2021.

Israel expresses interest in NATO-like Mideast alliance

The memorandum of understanding Defense Minister Benny Gantz signed yesterday with Bahrain, constitutes another step in Israel’s efforts to establish an anti-Iran regional alliance.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Emirati Defense Minister Abdullah Bin Hassan Al Nuaimi

Israel signs security cooperation agreement with Bahrain

On a first public visit to Manama, Defense Minister Benny Gantz signed a memorandum of understanding, formalizing the security relationship between Israel and Bahrain.

Image released by US Naval Forces Central Command on Jan. 31, 2022, shows Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa (C); Vice Admiral Brad Cooper (C-L); and Maggie Nardi (2nd-L), charge d'affairs, US Embassy to Bahrain, at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain.

Israel takes part in naval exercise with Saudi Arabia, Oman

Israel is for the first time taking part in the US Navy-led International Maritime Exercise.

Navy Persian Gulf

US to deploy fighter jets, Navy destroyer to UAE after missile attacks

Houthi barrages on the UAE are stress-testing Biden’s commitment to end US involvement in Yemen’s civil war.

An Israeli air force mechanic inspects an F-16 fighter at Ovda air force base north of the Israeli city of Eilat, on Oct. 24, 2021.

Israel to use laser air defense system within year, PM says

Naftali Bennett also said he hopes ongoing talks over Iran's nuclear program "end without agreement."

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaks at the Jerusalem Post's annual coference, Jerusalem, Oct. 12, 2021.

Israeli PM pledges Iran will no longer be untouchable

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett says even if there is a nuclear agreement with Iran, "it will not bind us."

President Joe Biden meets with Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani in the Oval Office on Jan. 31, 2022, in Washington, DC.

Biden eyes Qatar as major non-NATO ally

The upgrade in ties comes as the United States is seeking Doha's help in supplying natural gas to Europe.

Israeli Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot (C) attends a ceremony at the Mount Herzel military cemetery on Remembrance Day, commemorating fallen soldiers in the country's conflicts, Jerusalem, May 1, 2017.

Former IDF chief says Israel came close to killing Soleimani before US

Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot revealed that Israel almost killed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Qasem Soleimani a year and a half before he was assassinated by the Americans.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) speaks with Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz al-Saud (R) and Saudi Arabia's Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, Riyadh governor (L) in Riyadh, Feb. 12, 2007.

Saudi business group touts plan to improve economic ties with Russia

Russia is working to improve relations with Saudi Arabia and wants the kingdom to buy its S-400 missile defense system.

Female members of the Syrian Democratic Forces deploy outside Ghwayran prison in Syria's northeastern city of Hasakeh on January 26, 2022.

Syrian prison battle leaves hundreds dead and many IS free

A massive attack on detention facilities in northeastern Syria under US-backed, Kurdish-led forces has ended after almost a week of fighting, though the fate of some hostages remains unclear.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani prepares to speak at the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 24, 2019, in New York City.

Qatar’s emir heads to Washington next week, report

Discussions are likely to include Iran negotiations, Afghanistan and a US effort to provide alternative energy supplies to Europe in the event Russia invades Ukraine.

Washington Connection

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Bad news for Netanyahu as inquiry peers into submarine affair

Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tried hard to prevent a commission of inquiry into the submarine scandal that has plagued him, but its time has come.