Defense/Security cooperation

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is welcomed by Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni upon arrival at the Borgo Egnazia resort for the G7 Summit hosted by Italy in Apulia region, on June 14, 2024 in Savelletri.

Turkey's Erdogan to meet Meloni in Italy as ties deepen: What to know

The Turkish president’s visit follows a landmark deal between a leading Turkish drone maker and Italy’s defense giant Leonardo for joint production.

Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft from the Kuwaiti Air Force fly over during an airshow in Kuwait City, Feb. 25, 2025.

Analysis

On Eurofighters, Turkey hedges bets as it awaits Merz's decision in Germany

With the government of the incoming chancellor poised to decide the fate of the deal, analysts debate whether it will survive and suggest possible alternatives.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images

New German government to decide on Eurofighter sale to Turkey: Officials

Germany’s outgoing government will leave the Eurofighter sale decision to incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz, official German sources suggested to Al-Monitor.

This handout photo made available by the Iranian Army Office on April 17, 2025 shows Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major-General Mohammed Bagheri (L) receiving Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman (C) in Tehran on April 17, 2025.

Saudi defense chief meets Khamenei in historic Iran visit: What to know

Prince Khalid’s visit marks a further step in Iran and Saudi Arabia’s political reconciliation, but it comes at a tense time in the region, with the second round of US-Iran nuclear negotiations just two days away.

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Analysis

US-Iran gaps seen as bridgeable as Israeli strike leak undermines Netanyahu

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: U.S. President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrives at the White House on April 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump is meeting with Netanyahu to discuss ongoing efforts to release Israeli hostages from Gaza and newly imposed U.S. tariffs. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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

IAEA chief in Tehran as Iran FM returns to Russia with Khamenei letter

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (L) and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov walk together after their meeting to give a joint press conference at the foreign ministry headquarters in Tehran on February 25, 2025. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

With F-35, Eurofighter jets on table, Turkey cools off on F-16 deal

The Soloturk aerobatic demonstration team of the Turkish Air Force flies an F-16 aircraft over Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Turkish Republic's Founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, during celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey in Ankara, on October 29, 2023. Turkey marked its centenary as a post-Ottoman republic on October 29, 2023, with somewhat muted celebrations held in the shadow of Israel's escalating war with Hamas militants in Gaza. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALT

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Sudan’s Burhan arrives in Turkey on heels of Eritrea visit, key victories

People cheers as Sudan's de facto leader, armed forces chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan arrives at the market in Port Sudan on December 29, 2024. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Head of the political wing of the Palestinian Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar (2nd-R) is greeted upon his meeting to a gathering in Gaza City on April 30, 2022. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP) (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

As he stalls Gaza talks, Israel's Netanyahu prioritizes capturing Sinwar

The recent rescue of a hostage held in Gaza boosts assessments in Israel that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is under growing pressure and could be captured soon.

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

Qaid Farhan Alkaldi (C), who was held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, is greeted as he returns to the unrecognized Bedouin village of Carcur.

Case of rescued Israeli Bedouin hostage Qaid Alkadi: What we know

Qaid Farhan Alkadi, rescued Tuesday from the Gaza Strip, told Israeli Military Intelligence about the conditions of his captivity and his exchanges with his captors.

Israeli hostage

Bedouin Israeli hostage freed in Gaza in military operation

The Israeli military and the Shin Bet confirmed Tuesday that they rescued Qaid Farhan Alkadi from southern Gaza in a military operation.

TOPSHOT - This photo taken from a position in northern Israel shows a Hezbollah UAV intercepted by Israeli air forces over north Israel on August 25, 2024. The Israeli military announced early August 25, 2024 that it was conducting pre-emptive strikes in Lebanon after detecting preparations for "large-scale" attacks by the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. Hezbollah said it had launched more than 320 rockets at Israel overnight, targeting a string of military positions, even as Israel's military said it

Analysis

Hezbollah's attack disappoints Hamas but averts all-out war with Israel

Both Israel and Hezbollah have signaled that Sunday’s exchange of fire is over, at least for the moment.

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

A Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter takes off during an air show at the Teknofest festival at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul on September 17, 2019.

Analysis

What Turkey's latest cruise missile means for defense industry, regional posture

Turkey’s cruise missile, which passed a new test this week, comes as a part of Turkish efforts to obtain a force multiplier in an increasingly unstable neighborhood.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

EYAD BABA/AFP via Getty Images

Three obstacles remain as Egypt, Israel make progress on Philadelphi Corridor

Gaps between Israel and Egypt over the complicated issue of the Philadelphi Corridor are reportedly closing ahead of a Sunday summit in the Egyptian capital on a hostage release and Gaza cease-fire deal.

Fire sweep over the Marjayoun plain in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel after being hit by Israeli shelling on August 16, 2024, amid the ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (Photo by RABIH DAHER / AFP) (Photo by RABIH DAHER/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

With Sinwar undecided, Israel wary of imminent Lebanon war with Hezbollah

“We are within touching distance of an Israeli attack in Lebanon, which is intended to allow us to return the residents of the north to their homes,” a senior Israeli military source told Al-Monitor this week, even as Iran hesitates on next steps.

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

An Egyptian army soldier stands among the bushes in the wired border of the Philadelphi Corridor.

Mossad director, US officials back in Egypt for talks on Philadelphi Corridor

The Israeli delegation for the deal to release the hostages arrived in Cairo for talks with the Americans and Egyptians ahead of a potential summit this Sunday.

ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP via Getty Images

Egypt’s Sisi to pay first visit to Turkey as ties with Erdogan warm

Turkey and Egypt are expected to ink several cooperation deals during the visit, which will seal the end of more than a decade-long hostilities.

One of hundreds of drones made by Iran is displayed in this image, as the country continues to be sanctioned by the US, in this undated image.

Iran flexes drones, missiles at key Russia arms expo

Iran seized the event as a chance to showcase its military prowess, as the region is on edge and expecting an imminent Iranian attack on Israel after the killing in Tehran of Hamas' political leader, Ismail Haniyeh.

OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Turkey's Steel Dome defense system: Vast potential, tricky implementation

Turkey’s new integrated air defense system, “Steel Dome,” has ability to protect the country and eventually also serve as a ballistic missile defense platform, thus creating export success stories similar to Turkish drones.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Boys walk on dry bricks to traverse a puddle of sewage water past mounds of trash and rubble along a street in the Jabalia camp for Palestinian refugees, northern Gaza Strip, August 14, 2024.

Analysis

Can progress on Gaza cease-fire talks help US restrain Netanyahu, hold off Iran attack?

A new bridging proposal might allow calmer heads to prevail and lower the temperature in the region.

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