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

A color guard holds Saudi Arabia's flag while waiting for Saudi Vice Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman arrival for an honor cordon at the Pentagon August 29, 2019, in Washington, DC.

Is Saudi defense reform a win-win for Washington and Riyadh?

The US should consider a shift from arms sales to supporting Saudi defense industry reform and expansion.

US Navy sailors stand guard aboard the USS Sirocco patrol ship while docked at the US 5th Fleet Command in Bahrain's capital, Manama, on Dec. 17, 2019.

Jordan to support US Navy unmanned drone task force in Red Sea

The Royal Jordanian Naval Base at Aqaba will host the US 5th Fleet's Task Force 59 to test unmanned surface craft in the coming weeks.

Ariel Hermoni/Ministry of Defense

Israel formalizes bilateral defense ties in Rabat

In a first official visit to Rabat, Defense Minister Benny Gantz signed a landmark memorandum of understanding with his Moroccan counterpart Abdellatif Loudiyi.

An Israeli air force mechanic inspects an F-16 fighter during the Blue Flag multinational air defense exercise.

Israel-UAE trade reaches $700 million

Israel’s representative in Dubai said there is going to be a “surge” of business between Israel and the Emirates.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomes Morocco's Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita (L) to address the media at the State Department in Washington, DC, on Nov. 22, 2021.

Morocco acquires Israeli anti-drone air defense system

Israel's defense minister is expected in Rabat on Wednesday to finalize further deals.

Lloyd Austin

Pentagon chief to assure allies of US commitment in Bahrain, UAE

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will speak at the Manama Dialogue forum on Saturday morning.

United Arab Emirates

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett meets Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Sharm al-Sheikh, Egypt, Sept. 13 2021.

Israeli-Egyptian meetings mark rapprochement progress

The expected visit to Israel in a few days of Egyptian Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel reflects the trend of rapprochement in recent months between Jerusalem and Cairo.

US Army Cmdr. Jace Neuenschwander (L) and Iraq Nineveh Operations Cmdr. Maj. Gen. Noman Zawbai (C) and Iraq's Staff Maj. Gen. Mohammad Fadhel Abbas sign documents.

Iraq diversifies arms imports after US withdrawal from Afghanistan

The US withdrawal may have spurred Iraq to consider purchases from Turkey and Pakistan, according to report by the Pentagon's Inspector General.

TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images

US envoy asks Israel to intervene in Sudan, says local press

According to Israeli reports, visiting US envoy to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield asked Defense Minister Benny Gantz to step in in Sudan.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is awarded the Supreme Order of Turkic World.

Erdogan envisions alliance of Turkic-speaking states

The recent summit of Turkic-speaking states has fueled Ankara’s ambitions to lead a Turkic regional economic and security complex, but major geopolitical, economic and institutional hurdles remain.

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Leadership urges caution as Israeli tourists held in Istanbul

Israel is concerned that the prolonged detention in Istanbul of tourists Natali and Mordi Oknin bodes ill for rapprochement between the two countries.

An Italian air force F-35 takes off during the "Blue Flag" multinational air defence exercise at the Ovda air force base, north of the Israeli city of Eilat, on Oct. 24, 2021.

Intel: US, UAE talk F-35 as Russia pitches stealth aircraft

A top State Department official warned the Biden administration is "very serious" about imposing sanctions on partners that purchase Russian military hardware.