Analysis Israel concerned Iran trying to buy time but sees US strikes as still possible “We don’t yet know what happened there and hope that the Iranians didn’t string the American team along in order to buy time. The gaps between the sides are enormous and cannot be bridged," a senior Israeli official told Al-Monitor. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
On first Horn of Africa trip in 10 years, Erdogan cautions Ethiopia over Somaliland Turkey opposes Somaliland's recognition to protect its strategic military foothold in Mogadishu and the Red Sea. Turkey
Turkey’s Erdogan heads to Ethiopia amid tensions over Horn of Africa The Turkish leader is expected to raise Ankara’s concerns over Somalia’s territorial integrity while discussing ways to deepen bilateral ties with Addis Ababa. Turkey
Saudi-UAE rift complicates Israel's counter-Iran efforts, normalization Israel fears that the rivalry between the UAE and Saudi Arabia will further push Riyadh toward countries that espouse political Islam policies. Israel
Analysis Turkey courts Saudi Arabia on Kaan, but stealth fighter deal faces hurdles By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Why Trump is betting on military leaders for Iran negotiations By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis Despite Israeli concerns, sources say Trump giving Iran talks up to 2 months By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Pentagon acknowledges higher number of US troops in Syria The United States now officially has 2,000 troops in Syria, up from 500 previously, despite the Islamic State’s collapse. Syria
Yemen’s new, dangerous post-Saleh power vacuum The death of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh further complicates the conflict that has left Yemen in the throes of a humanitarian crisis. Saudi Arabia
Two years after jet crisis, do Russians really trust Turkey? Russians appear to have forgiven Turkey for its jaw-dropping decision two years ago to shoot down a Russian jet, but forgetting is another matter. Turkey
Can Saudis tempt Moscow into pushing Iran from Syria? Saudi Arabia has given up on ousting President Bashar al-Assad and is now hoping to convince Russia to deny Iran a presence in Syria. Saudi Arabia
US weapons pour into Lebanon amid turmoil The Pentagon is sending armed helicopters to help Lebanon fend off terrorists despite budgetary and political uncertainty. Lebanon
Will Erdogan address Greece's military upgrades during visit? A US sale of F-16 fighter upgrade kits to Greece's outdated fleet could increase tensions with Turkey, or it could be offset by the Turkish president's historic visit to Athens this week. Turkey
Why Egypt is now getting involved in South Sudan Egypt oversaw the successful signing of a deal to unify the Sudan People's Liberation Movement after it achieved similar foreign policy successes in neighboring countries such as Palestine and Libya. Palestine
Congress pushes Tunisia aid compact to counter Trump cuts The fledgling North African democracy is dispatching dignitaries to argue for a multi-year memorandum of understanding to help combat terrorism and social unrest. Tunisia
Private military companies: Moscow’s other army in Syria To compensate for troop reductions in Syria, Russia is deploying an array of corporate-organized mercenaries. Syria
Russia seeks closer military-technical cooperation with UAE Russia is looking to revive its lapsed status as a major weapons supplier to the United Arab Emirates and to develop collaborative technology projects. United Arab Emirates
Iranian media: Sochi summit step toward 'new Middle East' Iranian media reported on the trilateral meeting between the presidents of Iran, Russia and Turkey in Sochi as a step toward a new Middle East. Syria
Pentagon reports troop surge in Middle East Newly released Pentagon figures show a surge in US troops deployed across the Middle East this summer. Saudi Arabia
