New deal reduces Russia’s military presence in Syria: What to know Under a deal announced by Syria, Russia’s military facilities would be turned into joint training centers. Syria
Analysis As US rethinks regional presence, Israel shifts focus to destabilizing Iran Uncertain how to interpret the American regional redeployment, Israel is focusing on efforts to destabilize the Iranian regime and stop its nuclear program. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Turkey’s defense exports reach record $5.79B in first 7 months of 2026 The country’s defense and aviation exports have risen to $11.2 billion over the last 12 months, according to Turkey's defense industry agency. Turkey
Analysis Katz riles Iran, US as Netanyahu-Trump meeting raises questions Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had to settle for a brief meeting with President Donald Trump, while his defense minister, Israel Katz, appeared intent on provoking Iran by publicly disclosing sensitive intelligence. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Can Kuwait secure a Saudi-style defense pact with Pakistan? By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Analysis Ahead of Trump meeting, Netanyahu lays groundwork for Israel to rejoin Iran war By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Drone sale to Ethiopia could jeopardize Turkey-Egypt dialogue Turkey risks derailing normalization talks with Egypt by selling armed drones to Ethiopia, in addition to coming under international fire should Ethiopia use the drones in the conflict in Tigray. Turkey
Erdogan says US, not Turkey, proposed F-16 sale Turkey's president said the plan to sell dozens of F-16s to Ankara was Washington’s idea. News Brief
Is Turkey losing Washington? Erdogan’s revisionist foreign policy looks squeezed between the Eastern Mediterranean anvil and the Syrian hammer. Turkey
Israel's Lapid discusses Iran, Abraham Accords, US-Israel ties in Washington On a three-day visit in Washington, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid met yesterday with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris. Israel
Iran kicks off air defense drills amid tensions with Israel, Azerbaijan The exercise comes as Israeli officials are reportedly seeking assurances that the Biden administration is ready for joint operations should nuclear negotiations in Vienna fail. Iran
Is Erdogan testing Biden with request to buy more F-16s? Ankara’s surprise request to purchase F-16 jets from the United States looks like a rational decision dictated by military realities, but some suspect it might well be a gambit to set the stage for warplane negotiations with Russia. Turkey
After Merkel’s visit, Israel still waiting on submarine deal Prime Minister Naftali Bennett tried to persuade outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel to finalize the deal for the IDF to purchase three next-generation submarines. Israel
Turkey requests to buy 40 US F-16 fighter planes Just last week Erdogan boasted about potential new defense deals with Russia, including aircraft purchases. News Brief
Tensions between Israel’s Gantz, Bennett threaten coalition stability Defense Minister Benny Gantz is furious with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett over exposing a Mossad operation concerning long-years missing aviator Ron Arad. Israel
Iraq seeks to attach strings to arms purchases from Turkey Talks on the sale of Turkish armed drones and combat helicopters to Iraq have hit snags amid Iraqi efforts to extract concessions on contentious issues in bilateral ties. Turkey
Geopolitical rivalry in Caucasus gets militarized The geopolitical power struggle in the Caucasus is growing increasingly militarized as converging interests pit Iran and Armenia against Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Israel. Turkey
Cyprus assassination attempt paints picture of emboldened Iran Israel suspects that a plot to kill Israeli businesspeople in Cyrus reflects an alarming change in Iranian strategy. Israel
