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
US friends in the Middle East lose a champion in John McCain The late senator from Arizona leaves behind a legacy as one of the Senate’s last prominent proponents of US interventionism. Iraq
Three things the Tehran summit exposed about Russia, Turkey, Iran 'alliance' The summit in Tehran exposed important underlying dynamics within the Astana trio and made it clear the three actors see the US presence as a problem, albeit each for their own reason. Syria
Pentagon revamps Egypt war games in trust-building exercise US-Egypt war games kick off Saturday, a sign that the Pentagon is serious about reviving the flagging relationship. Egypt
Russia, Turkey size up challenges and opportunities in Idlib In the run-up to the presidential summit in Tehran, Russia and Turkey continue to weigh their options for Idlib. Syria
Turkey and Germany huddle over looming Idlib operation German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas’s visit to Ankara will, above all, serve as a platform for the two countries to discuss major military action expected in the last Syrian rebel stronghold of Idlib. Syria
Saudi, Syrian foreign ministers visit Moscow for talks After separate sets of discussions with the Syrian and Saudi foreign ministers, Russia continues to dwell on its displeasure with US moves in Syria. Saudi Arabia
Pentagon adjusts war games to cope with Iran threat The US military is making changes to its Middle East drills to respond to the Donald Trump administration’s fears of a growing military threat from Iran. Congress
Trump administration releases another $195 million in Egypt aid The Donald Trump administration has issued a national security waiver allowing it to release more military aid despite congressional concerns over Cairo’s human rights record and ties to North Korea. Egypt
Will Turkey’s 'strategic partnership' with Russia cover Idlib? Ankara is looking to Moscow to prevent an attack on Idlib by the Russian-supported Syrian army. Syria
US-Turkey cooperation against Islamic State ongoing, Pentagon says Ankara and Washington remain committed to the joint mission of rooting out Islamic State holdouts despite the diplomatic row over Pastor Andrew Brunson, Pentagon and State Department officials say. Syria
Russia, Turkey seek greater engagement amid US sanctions Russia plans to lift visa requirements for some Turks and to begin delivery of the S-400 missile-defense system to Turkey next year in an attempt to further sway Ankara away from the United States. Turkey
Why Netanyahu wants more money for security Top defense experts estimate that the new 2030 Security Concept was designed not as a serious tool to protect Israel against its threats, but as a means to preserve Benjamin Netanyahu’s image of "Mr. Security." Palestine
