Analysis Why Saudi-Pakistan defense pact remains key as Mecca alliance takes shape Pakistan’s established military ties with Saudi Arabia remain the more operational defense framework as the newer Mecca alliance works to define its role. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Analysis Deal or war? Israel fears fallout from Trump’s next move on Iran Israel is struggling to decipher the White House’s intentions toward Iran, given Washington's contradictions around launching a fresh military campaign. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Pezeshkian to meet Putin as Iran looks to Russia for support: What to know Russia has reportedly provided Iran with military materiel, intelligence and diplomatic backing during the war. Iran
US quietly aids Saudi Arabia’s Yemen campaign with intel, refueling Pentagon aims to keep Yemen and Iran wars separate while shielding the flow of Gulf oil exports from attack as Riyadh bears the brunt of the Houthis' missile and drone barrages. Yemen
Confusion reigns as Trump authorizes troop withdrawal from Turkish-Syrian border towns US President Donald Trump's announcement catches Pentagon, State Department and Syrian Kurds off guard as Turkey assumes a primacy of sorts in the president's thinking despite the S-400 fiasco. Syria
Egypt tries to get new Sudan government to its side Egypt has recently hosted a meeting of Sudan’s revolutionary forces and armed opposition to help advance negotiations and peace talks, as Cairo believes security in Sudan is linked to its own internal stability. Egypt
US pushes Iraq to integrate Iran-backed PMU militias after strikes The Donald Trump administration is calling on Iraq to demobilize Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Units after renewed rocket strikes hit near the US Embassy in Baghdad. Saudi Arabia
Trump faces skepticism from allies amid troop deployment The Donald Trump administration will deploy a fresh detachment of US troops to Saudi Arabia after blaming Iran for an attack against a major oil production facility just days ago. Saudi Arabia
Iraq steps up search for advanced air defense system Regional conflicts and international tensions, along with money, are roadblocks to Iraq's pressing interest in upgrading its missile defense system. Iraq
Intel: How Syria is driving a wedge between Russia and Israel The show of unity during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Russia on Sept. 12 can’t paper over the sharp differences between the two countries over Syria. Israel
Congress wants answers after 10 bomb-sniffing dogs die in Jordan Congress is demanding answers after an inspector general report showed that a number of bomb-sniffing dogs from the United States have died from neglect in Jordan. Jordan
Intel: What’s behind Putin’s arms sale proposal to Saudis Putin's offer of defense missile systems for the Saudis was political but there's more to this in the runup to his visit to Riyadh. Saudi Arabia
How latest Astana talks between Turkey, Russia, Iran went beyond Syria What the Astana guarantors agreed upon in Ankara will have implications for Syria but the way the leaders communicated past each other each is even more telling. Saudi Arabia
Turkey going full speed ahead with ambitious drone projects The Turkish defense industry continues intensive work to develop long-range armed drones and cruise missiles, seeking to gain preemptive strike capability to eliminate threats at their source. Turkey
How UAE airstrikes on government forces changed military map in Aden Hopes for a negotiated solution to the dispute in Aden vanished with Saudi Arabia calling on the UAE-backed separatists to withdraw from government institutions in the southern Yemeni city. Saudi Arabia
Iran, Hamas seek benefits of mutual military support As the United States becomes more involved in the Middle East, its actions are driving Hamas and Tehran closer. Palestine
