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

JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP via Getty Images

2 Israeli soldiers killed by friendly fire

The incident comes less than a week after two Israeli pilots were killed in a helicopter crash off Haifa.

SU-35

Moscow struggles to sell fighter jets in the Mideast

With Egypt and Algeria reportedly backing out of plans to acquire Russian-made fighter jets, there is speculation Tehran could emerge as a potential buyer.

Barnea

Report says Mossad chief had met with Libyan PM

Arab media outlets claimed yesterday that Mossad Director David Barnea met in Jordan recently with Khalifa Hifter’s rival, Libyan transition Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibeh.

Riot police officers patrol in a street as unprecedented protests over a hike in energy prices spun out of control in Almaty on Jan. 5, 2022.

Kazakhstan crisis challenges Turkey's leadership of Turkic union

The unrest rattling Kazakhstan has reflected the irrelevance of Turkey and the Organization of Turkic States chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

JOE KLAMAR/AFP via Getty Images

Israel angles for benefits from new deal with Iran

Having reached the conclusion that a new Iran deal is inevitable, Israel is now focusing on getting tactical assurances and military support from the United States.

Jordanian King Abdullah meets in his palace with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz (L), Amman, Jordan, Jan. 5 2022.

Gantz, King Abdullah discuss regional stability

Clearly it is no coincidence that Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz met in Amman with Jordanian King Abdullah one week only after hosting in his Rosh Ha’ayin home Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) greets Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (L) upon his arrival for a meeting at the Chancellery in Berlin on Nov. 20, 2019.

Will Germany freeze the arms deal with Egypt?

The mutual escalation between Egypt and Germany regarding the human rights situation in Egypt and the threat to freeze the military deal agreed upon by German Chancellor Angela Merkel before her departure to Egypt raised several questions about the future of the relationship between the two countries as a new government takes over the country.

Gantz Abbas

Benny Gantz, Mahmoud Abbas see eye to eye on security risks

Embracing an opposite approach to that of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Benny Gantz tries reinforcing the status of the Palestinian Authority and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Defense act

Here's what the 2022 NDAA has to say about the Middle East

These are the key takeaways on what the 2022 NDAA says – and doesn’t say – about US policy in the region.

A member of Israel's security forces carries flags of Hamas that were seized during clashes with Palestinian protesters north of Ramallah in the West Bank, on Oct. 8, 2015.

Israel concerned over Hamas involvement in West Bank attacks

There are voices in Israel demanding retaliation against Hamas whenever it gets involved in West Bank terror attacks.

Lebanese army troops take part in a military parade held at the Defence Ministry in Yarzeh on the eastern outskirts of Beirut on Nov. 22, 2021.

Lebanon and Iraq ink defense cooperation agreement

Lebanese Defense Minister Maurice Sleem is in Iraq for an official visit.

Israeli tanks are seen in action during a military drill near Ramat Trump settlement in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights on Dec. 7, 2021.

Israeli, Russian foreign ministers discuss key regional issues via phone

With the second round of Iran nuke talks resuming in Vienna, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid speaks on the phone with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.