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

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends a ceremony at Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Turkish Republic's Founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, during the 83rd anniversary of his death, in Ankara on Nov. 10, 2021.

Erdogan woos Armenia with regional cooperation proposal

A transport corridor for Azerbaijan via Armenian territory — a plan that has stoked Turkey’s strategic ambitions in the region — remains on paper a year on, but that’s not the only obstacle to normalization between the three neighbors.

Russia debuts a prototype of its new Sukhoi Su-75 Checkmate, a fifth-generation single-engine fighter jet

Intel: Russia displays new fighter jet at Dubai Airshow 2021

With the Su-75 Checkmate on display, Russia aims to remind the Emirates and other nations they have options when it comes to fifth-generation fighters.

Russia / Mideast

This picture shows a Denel Dynamics' "Al-Tariq" precision-guided bomb kit on display during the 2017 Dubai Airshow, Nov. 14, 2017.

Dubai Airshow 2021 kicks off with expectations of big deals

The rise in attacks around the region in recent years using drones pushed the sales of UAV technologies in the Middle East to reach $1.5 billion over the last five years.

This picture taken on Sept. 27, 2020, from the Palestinian side of the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt in Rafah shows Egyptian soldiers.

Israel, Egypt to increase military presence along Egypt's Rafah border

Egypt and Israel sign an agreement allowing increased military presence in Egypt's Rafah border area, a move that analysts say is a win-win for the two neighbors.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) listens during a news conference on the treatment of Haitian immigrants at the U.S. border in Texas on Sept. 22, 2021 in Washington, DC.

US Rep. Ilhan Omar moves to block $650 million Saudi arms sale

If passed by the Senate, the joint resolution would block the sale of 280 air-to-air missiles to Riyadh.

Israeli soldiers of the Nahal Brigade take part in a drill near the settlement of Kidmat Tsvi in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights, on Oct. 27, 2021.

Israel loses patience with Iranian entrenchment in Syria

Israel has detected increased activity by Iran as it builds up its military presence in Syria.

Israel navy

UAE, Israel, Bahrain, US conduct joint naval exercise in Red Sea

Fighter jets from Saudi Arabia and Israel flew alongside a US B-1 bomber over the region today in a separate exercise of force.

fighter loyal to Yemen's Saudi-backed government takes position at the frontline facing Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Saudi-led coalition pushes back on reports of troop withdrawals from Yemen

The Gulf coalition's denial comes amid reports of Saudi troop withdrawals from al-Mahra governorate.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett meets with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at the COP 26 Climate Conference in Glasgow.

Israel’s Bennett hopes to outdo Netanyahu in relations with India

Stepping into the shoes of Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett makes efforts at strengthening the bilateral economic ties and the security alliance Israel has forged with India.

United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (L) and Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides.

UAE foreign minister visits Cyprus

The UAE has grown closer to Cyprus on energy and defense issues.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images

Israel agrees to more Egyptian troops in Sinai

Israel has agreed for Egypt to reinforce its military presence in the Sinai Peninsula.

A United Arab Emirates Air Force F-16 pilot gives a thumb up before taking off from the military airport of Andravida, southern Greece, April 19, 2021.

Saudi Arabia, UAE hold weekslong military exercise

The joint defense exercises are expected to last three weeks.