Defense/Security cooperation

US singles out ‘mafia’-like groups as key threat to Iraq’s future

In exclusive interviews with Al-Monitor at the State Department, two top State Department officials lay out US policy goals as Iraq seeks normalize and balance ties with Iran and its other neighbors while seeking to prevent a return of the Islamic State.

Iraq

Cairo's backing for Sudan's embattled president comes with strings attached

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, wary of protests in Khartoum, is backing Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, but to what extent?

Egypt

Barzani: Russia key to settlement between Assad and Syrian Kurds

Manbij leaders prefer the United States, but would rather deal with Russia and Syria than Turkey; Amberin Zaman gets exclusive access to a prison for IS terrorists; did HTS force the resignation of a Syrian opposition leader?; Syrians protest Turkish truckers; Rouhani’s meeting with Sistani is "crowning achievement" of trip to Iraq.

Iraq

Pompeo to push anti-Iran message in trip to Kuwait, Israel, Lebanon

In his trip to Israel and Lebanon this week, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will emphasize the threat from Iran and Iranian-backed proxies.

Kuwait

Intel: How the Pentagon plans to use thinned-out US presence in Iraq

Iraq

Senate seeks to tie Trump’s hands on war powers with vote to end military role in Yemen

The vote to end US support for the Saudi coalition in Yemen deals another blow to Riyadh, but it’s also an effort by liberals to curtail the president’s war-making authority.

Saudi Arabia

Turkey, US head to new crisis over Ankara’s S-400 purchase

Washington’s threats of dire consequences for Turkey if it goes ahead with the Russian air-defense deal are being disregarded by Ankara.

Turkey

Intel: How Russia is pushing weapons sale that has roiled US-Turkey relations

Turkey

Parliament bill may not prevent US troops from staying in Iraq

Iraq is smack in the middle of a tug of war between the United States and Iran for influence in the Mideast and faces some tough decisions.

Iraq

Plan to charge allies for US troop presence carries risks for Americans in North Africa

US President Donald Trump’s reported plan to charge allies for US military bases could make it harder to protect diplomats and embassies throughout Africa.

Libya

Did Iran ever stop funding Hamas?

Iran has reportedly resumed its aid to the Palestinian Hamas movement, after years of estrangement over regional issues.

Palestine

Turkey dismisses US threat about buying Russian S-400 air defense system

Turkey does not appear to be budging from its purchase of S-400 air-defense missiles from Russia despite US threats to cancel delivery of F-35 jets Turkey has ordered.

Turkey