Defense/Security cooperation

Steve Witkoff, US special envoy to the Middle East, (C) Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), (L) and Jared Kushner listen as US Vice President JD Vance speaks.

Analysis

Why Trump is betting on military leaders for Iran negotiations

The White House has enlisted senior US military commanders to grease the wheels of complex negotiations with adversaries, but can they help advance Trump's policy demands?

Jared Szuba

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

US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago club on Dec. 29, 2025, in Palm Beach, Florida.

Analysis

Despite Israeli concerns, sources say Trump giving Iran talks up to 2 months

Leaving Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in the dark over his intentions, sources suggest that US President Trump decided on a deadline for the talks with Iran.

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

A screen grab of a video from Turkish Aerospace Industries shows a Gobkey helicopter in flight.

Turkey, Saudi Arabia ink deal for production of Gokbey helicopters

The deal comes amid advanced talks on Riyadh joining Ankara’s KAAN fighter jet program.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 29: U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff (L) shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump (R) as U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum (2L) and Kathryn Burgum (2R) look on in the Oval Office at the White House on January 29, 2026 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to coordinate a federal government response to drug addiction. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Analysis

Fearing Iran deal, Netanyahu races to US to sway Trump, sidestep Witkoff

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is flying to Washington to persuade President Donald Trump not to forget Iran's ballistic missile project and its proxies in the talks with Tehran.

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

Latest News

Arms production to air defense: Inside $350M Egypt-Turkey military pact

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stand with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo, Feb. 4, 2026.

Analysis

Oman talks leave Israel unsure of Trump's endgame as missile threat persists

AFP via Getty Images

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

After Israel's FM visit, Iran defense chief in Azerbaijan, meets Aliyev

Iran’s Minister of Defense Brig. Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh arrives in Baku, Feb. 6, 2026.

Analysis

As US-Iran talks set to begin, Israel struggles to shape Trump's options

The commander of CENTCOM, Admiral Brad Cooper, visited Israel as the official guest of Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Israeli, Greek, Cypriot defense ministers meet, reinforce security ties

Defense Minister Benny Gantz meets with his Greek and Cypriot counterparts to reinforce the countries’ security ties and strategic cooperation.

Iraqi officials welcome Biden presidency

While Iraqi leaders and officials have welcomed a Biden presidency, there are worries about what direction US policy will take when it comes to Baghdad.

The Type 702 Berlin-class supplier ship of the Deutsche Marine German navy "Berlin" arrives at the naval base in Wilhelmshaven, northern Germany, on September 17, 2020. - The vessel had left Germany in April 2020 to take part in the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 mission at the Mediterranean Sea. (Photo by Patrik Stollarz / AFP) (Photo by PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Germany concludes major naval arms package to Egypt, despite opposition

Egypt boosts its naval power after Germany agrees to sell naval equipment to Cairo amid tensions in the eastern Mediterranean that is rich in oil and gas resources.

Are Turkey, Azerbaijan ready to talk peace with Armenia?

Although TRT momentarily reported that Azerbaijan had claimed it had emerged victorious in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, there seems to be a lot to still sort out before there can be a lasting cease-fire.

Pentagon chief visits Israel, Bahrain with little fanfare

The quiet visit came less than a week after the defense secretary said the United States would like to see regional security cooperation with Israel to deter Iran.

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict tests Turkey’s hard power without diplomacy

Can Ankara’s “coercive diplomacy” in the south Caucasus yield tangible diplomatic benefits in the long run?

Russian fighter jets drop bombs over the Ashuluk military base in Southern Russia on September 22, 2020 during the "Caucasus-2020" military drills gathering China, Iran, Pakistan and Myanmar troops, along with ex-Soviet Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus. - Up to 250 tanks and around 450 infantry combat vehicles and armoured personnel carriers will take part in the September 21 to 26 land and naval exercises that will involve 80,000 people including support staff. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP) (Photo by DIM

Can Russia return to Iranian arms market following end of weapons embargo?

With the end of the UN arms embargo, Iran could be looking to purchase new additions to its defense system — could Russia become a main supplier again?

Israel will not oppose US sale of 'certain weapon systems' to United Arab Emirates

The announcement likely refers to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

United Arab Emirates

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrive to hold a joint press statement following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 5, 2020. (Photo by Pavel Golovkin / POOL / AFP) (Photo by PAVEL GOLOVKIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Cracks in Turkish-Russian ties begin to show

Mistrust instead of the spirit of mutually beneficial political cooperation is guiding current relations between Ankara and Moscow.

US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper (R) welcomes Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz during an honor cordon at the Pentagon on September 22, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Olivier DOULIERY / AFP) (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)

Gantz, Esper sign US commitment to maintain Israel’s qualitative military edge

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz met yesterday with US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper; the two ministers signed at the Pentagon a joint declaration over the United States maintaining Israel’s military advantage in the Middle East.

Intel: US Air Force trains with Israel’s newest F-35 squadron

Exercise Lightning III focused on offensive air operations involving simulated enemy aircraft and ground targets.

Egypt, Russia to hold joint naval drills in Black Sea, Moscow says

Exercise Friendship Bridge 2020 will involve aircraft and ship-based artillery, Russia's Defense Ministry said