Analysis RSF turns to drones, new fronts as Sudan battlefield pressure grows A wave of RSF drone attacks reflects the group fighting back, but it also points to limited supply lines and difficulty mounting ground offensives beyond its territorial strongholds. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Analysis How Israel's rivalry, defense deals prompted Turkey to join Mecca pact Turkey’s growing rivalry with Israel and mounting regional instability are driving its defense alignment with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, despite risks of strategic entanglement and friction with NATO partners. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Explainer Who is Iran’s Mohsen Rezaei, hard-line IRGC veteran appointed to top security post? Mohsen Rezaei's appointment comes as Iran navigates a fragile halt in hostilities with the US and negotiations over reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran
Turkey’s Erdogan heads to Saudi Arabia for talks with MBS, Pakistan’s Sharif The visit comes as the three countries ramp up coordination to weather the regional fallout from the Iran war. Turkey
Analysis As Turkey eyes US naval revival, here is why big warship deals are unlikely By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis From S-400s to SAMP/T: Turkey’s defense pivot gathers pace after NATO summit By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Intel: US rescinds ban on British defense firm implicated in Saudi weapons fraud The US State Department is rescinding a 9-year-old policy that barred it from doing business with the Saudi subsidiary of a British defense firm, which pled guilty to fraud in a multibillion-dollar arms deal in 2010. Saudi Arabia
Intel: US contracts Boeing to build new cruise missiles for Saudi Arabia, Qatar The US Navy awarded Boeing a nearly $2 billion contract Wednesday to provide Saudi Arabia with 650 new land attack cruise missiles, as well as to upgrade existing ones by the end of 2028. Saudi Arabia
Intel: How Turkey’s expulsion from F-35 program has hampered production A report by the US Government Accountability Office said Turkey’s expulsion from the F-35 program has complicated the Joint Strike Fighter’s already troubled production chain. Turkey
Intel: US approves $2.3 billion upgrade for 43 of Egypt’s Apache helicopters The US State Department approved a sale of $2.3 billion worth of equipment to refurbish 43 of Egypt’s Apache helicopters. Egypt
Is Turkish defense industry’s ‘success story’ turning sour? Growing investment in technology development is a promising sign for Turkey’s defense industry, but a series of structural problems that remain unresolved could damage the sector’s prospects. Turkey
How will Russia, China support Iran's military after UN arms ban ends? Moscow and Beijing could strike weapons deals with Tehran after the UN arms embargo expires later this year, but their anticipated support will face hurdles. Russia
Egypt boosts local weapons production Egypt has announced a plan to boost local manufacturing of weapons to boost the capacities of its army and with the ultimate aim to export them to Africa. Egypt
Report: Yemen’s Houthis now sporting deadlier drones Yemen's Houthis are using newer and deadlier drone models that discharge explosives and shrapnel, according to a report. Yemen
Intel: How Russia is helping Iraq build up its air defenses amid US-Iran escalation Following the latest hostilities between the United States and Iran inside Iraq, Baghdad has reportedly resumed negotiations with Moscow over reinforcing its air defenses. Iraq
Jordan plans to grab excess American weapons Jordan is planning to obtain excess US fighter jets and large transport planes, part of an ongoing counterterror effort in the Arab kingdom. Jordan
Turkey's defense industry sees rise of 'the president’s men' Decision-making power in Turkey's defense industry is shifting from the military to businessmen close to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Qatar
Turkey lobbies Congress against lifting Cyprus arms embargo as tensions mount Ankara is scrambling to keep Congress from lifting a three-decade arms embargo on Cyprus as US-Turkey tensions mount. Turkey
