Defense/Security cooperation

erdogan somalia

Analysis

Turkey’s space ambitions soar with Somalia site but limitations continue

Building the space base is a good development, but to reach its goals, Turkey needs to allocate more financial and human resources to realize a full-fledged space program.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds flowers next to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they meet at the Kremlin in Moscow on January 30, 2020. (Photo by MAXIM SHEMETOV / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MAXIM SHEMETOV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Will US-Russia rapprochement increase odds of Israel striking Iran?

Israeli leaders hope the thaw in relations will lead Moscow to stem strategic cooperation with Tehran, leaving Iran vulnerable to an attack on its nuclear facilities after a US green light.

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

A general view shows docked ships at the harbor of the Sudanese city of Port Sudan, on April 27, 2021.

Analysis

Sudan, Russia reach 'understanding' on naval base but hurdles remain

A naval base deal that has been more than five years in the making has gained renewed attention after statements from Sudan’s foreign minister while in Moscow.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

TOPSHOT - Black smoke billows behind buildings amid ongoing fighting in Khartoum on June 9, 2023. Sudan's warring generals have agreed to a 24-hour ceasefire from June 10, US and Saudi mediators said, acknowledging that previous attempts to pause a conflict now nearing its third month had proved abortive. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran's FM hosts Sudan counterpart, eyes larger influence: What we know

Iran signaled an increasing presence in Sudanese reconstruction projects, while reports have suggested Iranian drone shipments to the Sudanese military in its fight against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

Latest News

Pentagon sends B-52 bombers over Middle East as US aims to pressure Iran

A US Air Force B-52 aircraft in Sakhir, Bahrain, on Nov. 13, 2024.

Jared Szuba

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

China's defense companies out in full force at UAE's IDEX: What to know

Visitors check weapons during the International Defence Exhibition Idex 2025, on February 17, 2025, in Abu Dhai. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP) (Photo by FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images)

United Arab Emirates

Iran unveils new drones in military drill: What to know

drones

Analysis

Turkey-Saudi defense ties see momentum with potential $6B deal: What to know

Turkish Air Force fighter jets perform a military parade over the Bosphorus on Oct. 29, 2023.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Emiratis walk past a French Rafale fighter jet displayed during the Dubai Airshow on November 14, 2017, in the United Arab Emirates. / AFP PHOTO / KARIM SAHIB (Photo credit should read KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

France's burgeoning Gulf military influence: Rafale jets, naval systems and integration

France has emerged as the second-largest global arms exporter, surpassing Russia and solidifying its position as the leading European arms supplier to the Middle East.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (R) walk after a welcome ceremony in Putrajaya on February 11, 2025. (Photo by FAZRY ISMAIL / POOL / AFP) (Photo by FAZRY ISMAIL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Erdogan's Asia tour seen as boost for Turkey’s drone industry, trade

The Turkish president’s visit to Malaysia, Indonesia and Pakistan focused on bolstering trade ties as Turkey looks to expand its presence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman transits the Suez Canal, on Dec. 15, 2024.

US Navy carrier collides with merchant ship near Suez Canal: What to know

The ship's recent departure from the Red Sea has left Middle Eastern waters without a US aircraft carrier for the third time in 15 months.

Meteor missiles

Turkey optimistic on procurement of Eurofighter jets and Meteor missiles

A senior Turkish official has confirmed Turkey’s bid to procure Meteor missiles.

Iranian Basij militia members display their drones during military drills on Jan. 10, 2025, in Tehran, Iran.

Iran unveils underwater suicide drone as US tensions grow: What we know

The showcasing of the unmanned aerial vehicle follows the unveiling of a new drone carrier warship and plans to develop a supersonic cruise missile.

A fighter of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) aims a machine gun while lying prone during a joint military exercise with forces of the US-led "Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve" coalition against the Islamic State (IS) group in the countryside of the town of al-Malikiya (Derik in Kurdish) in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province on Sept. 7, 2022.

Turkey escalates push to replace Kurds as top anti-ISIS force in Syria

Turkey is attempting to form a new coalition to combat ISIS remnants and replace the Pentagon-backed Kurdish forces in Syria.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (L) speaks during a joint press conference with Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (R), Baghdad, Iraq, Aug. 22, 2023.

Turkey, Jordan, Iraq to hold first anti-ISIS summit this month: Turkish official

Top diplomats as well as Turkish, Jordanian, Syrian and Iraqi defense and intelligence chiefs aim to hold a first security summit this month as part of efforts to set up a regional anti-ISIS coalition, Al-Monitor has learned.

Yair Golan in Tel Aviv on Feb. 2, 2025.

Interview

Amid Israel's rightward shift, left struggles for relevance

In a special interview with Al-Monitor, Yair Golan, leader of center-left party the Democrats, insists that the Palestinian Authority must play a pivotal role in the future administration of Gaza.

Yair Golan

Yair Golan

Chair of the Democrats Party

People look advanced jet trainer light attack aircraft "Hurjet" during the opening day of the International Defence and Aerospace exhibition in Istanbul on Oct. 22, 2024.

Analysis

As Trump rattles Europe, can Turkey and EU jumpstart defense ties?

Turkey and the EU face tough choices and opportunities to cooperate in the field of defense and security during President Donald Trump’s second term.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Could Trump’s Gaza plan be negotiating tactic for Saudi-Israel deal?

On a visit to the White House, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu surely didn't imagine that President Donald Trump would propose the United States take over responsibility for managing and reconstructing the Gaza Strip.

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

Iranian naval vessels arrive at the Port of Khalid in Sharjah, on Feb. 4, 2024.

UAE welcomes Iran naval delegation & ships in first such visit: What we know

The Emirati Defense Ministry said that four Iranian naval vessels arrived at the Port of Khalid in Sharjah on Tuesday for a three-day unprecedented visit.

An Iranian navy warship takes part in the "National Persian Gulf Day" in the Strait of Hormuz, April 30, 2019.

Iran to send four naval ships to UAE for rare meeting: What to know

The announcement of the first-ever visit came a day after Iran unveiled a new ballistic missile.