Defense/Security cooperation

Kuwaits Deputy Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Meshal AlSabah (3rd from L) at an event hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Kuwait City, July 29, 2025.

Analysis

As Kuwait modernizes military, will China rival US as key defense partner?

Kuwait and China are finalizing a joint ammunition factory as the Gulf state maintains its longstanding US security alliance.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

NOEMIE DE BELLAIGUE/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Germany to halt Israel military exports that can be used in Gaza: What to know

Germany, traditionally one of Israel’s strongest allies in Europe, has been under pressure to toughen its stance toward the war in Gaza as the humanitarian crisis deepens.

A young boy stands next to his bicycle as Palestinians check the devastation following an Israeli strike that hit Gaza City's southern al-Zeitoun neighbourhood on August 8, 2025. Israel's military will "take control" of Gaza City under a new plan approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet, touching off a wave of criticism Friday from both inside and outside the country. (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP) (Photo by BASHAR TALEB/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel's Vietnam: As Netanyahu pushes Gaza City takeover, military warns of endless war

The plan to extend Israeli control beyond the 75% of Gaza it now holds ignores warnings by military chief Eyal Zamir and the public's desire to end the war.

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

A grafitti on a wall in Tadamon that depicts the flag of the ISIS. Tadamon, Syria, on Feb. 7, 2025.

Syrian forces dismantle ISIS cell near Turkish border: What to know

Syria says it has thwarted a number of ISIS plots in 2025 as the group seeks to exploit sectarian tensions in the country.

Latest News

Analysis

How lessons from Iran, Ukraine are shaping US Army’s new missile defense plan

A picture taken on Jan. 13, 2020, shows US Army drones at the Ain al-Asad air base in the western Iraqi province of Anbar.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Israel's Netanyahu, army chief face off over possible Gaza City offensive

Zamir

Senate defense spending bill would restrict US troop drawdown from Syria

US soldiers patrol in Syria's northeastern city Qamishli, in the Hasakah province, mostly controlled by Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, on Jan. 9, 2025.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Who Is Ali Larijani? Khamenei confidant returns to Iran’s top security post

Former Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani addresses the media following his registration at the elections registration office in Tehran, on May 31, 2024, ahead of the country's election of a new president next month.

Aviation Ordnancemen assigned to "The Swordsmen" of Fighter Squadron Thirty Two (VF-32) transfer 2,000-pound Joint Directional Attack Munition (JDAMs).

US approves over $500M arms sale to Israel ahead of Netanyahu visit

The State Department has greenlit $500 million worth of JDAM guidance kits for Israeli bombs, as at least 80 people were reportedly killed by Israeli military gunfire and airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Monday.

US Air Force F-35A performs during an exhibition flight demonstration as part of the 55th edition of the International Paris Air Show (Salon international de l'aeronautique et de l'espace - SIAE) at the ParisLe Bourget Airport, in Le Bourget, north of Paris on June 19, 2025. (Photo by Roy ISSA / AFP) (Photo by ROY ISSA/AFP via Getty Images)

US ambassador to Turkey says F-35 issue to be resolved 'by year-end'

The new US ambassador to Ankara says that Congress is open to taking a fresh look at the F-35 issue.

A poster of the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant.

Pentagon reveals new details about strike on Iran’s Fordow: What to know

Top defense official says "no one" is on the ground at Fordow to assess the damage, as the Trump administration tries to dispel doubts about the effectiveness of the US bombing raid designed to knock out Iran’s main enrichment facility.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

KEMAL ASLAN/AFP via Getty Images

As it presses for F-35 jets, Turkey prioritizes air defense for NATO’s 5% spending target

As Turkey prioritizes boosting its air defense system to meet NATO’s new spending target, the president has revived Ankara’s push to buy fighter jets.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is briefed.

Why Netanyahu accepted Trump’s ceasefire deal with Iran

In accepting the US-brokered ceasefire with Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu likely weighed operational factors and American pressure alongside significant domestic political considerations.

Aziz Nasirzadeh

Iran defense chief visits China, first trip after war with Israel: What to know

While Iran and China maintain a deepening military and economic partnership, Beijing offered only rhetorical support during Iran’s 12-day war with Israel.

Analysis

Israel hopes for 3 'years of quiet’ under Trump even as Iran nuclear damage estimates vary

Conflicting US and Israeli assessments are casting doubt on whether Iran's nuclear sites were damaged or largely destroyed.

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

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Donald Trump met in Hague, Netherlands on the sidelines of NATO’s leaders summit, June 25 2025.

Trump, Erdogan hold first meeting at NATO as ties warm: What to know

The first meeting between the two leaders since Trump's return to office focused on the Iran-Israel ceasefire, the Ukraine war and bilateral ties.

In this frame grab taken from a video, missiles and air-defense interceptors illuminate the night sky over Doha after Iran launched an attack on US forces at Al Udeid Air Base on June 23, 2025, in Doha, Qatar.

Trump announces Iran-Israel ceasefire as IRGC targets Qatar's Al-Udeid

The US president announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israe would start Tuesday 6:02 p.m. EST (1:02 a.m. Tel Aviv; 1:32 a.m. Tehran Wednesday) after 11 days of fighting.

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - JUNE 22: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon on June 22, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. U.S. President Donald Trump gave an address to the nation last night after three Iranian nuclear facilities were struck by the U.S. military. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Iran's missile systems 'did not see us': Pentagon says nuclear capabilities destroyed at Fordow

Largest-ever USAF B-2 bomber mission involved multiple feints — Iran’s air defenses did not fire a shot, top Pentagon general says.

Retired Israeli general and Executive Director of Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) Amos Yadlin attends a session at the Manama Dialogue security conference in the Bahraini capital on December 5, 2020. (Photo by Mazen Mahdi / AFP) (Photo by MAZEN MAHDI/AFP via Getty Images)

Interview

Amos Yadlin: Israel's goal to enable Trump to reach better Iran deal than 2015

In an interview with Al-Monitor, former head of the Israeli military intelligence directorate Amos Yadlin talks about the extent of the damage Israel has thus far inflicted on Iran and the strategic goals of the war.

Amos Yadlin

Amos Yadlin

Former head of Israeli military intelligence

Smoke rises from locations targeted in Tehran amid the third day of Israel's waves of strikes against Iran, on Sunday, June 15, 2025.

Analysis

As Netanyahu pushes Trump to join Iran war, will Israel strike Fordow alone?

Israel needs the United States to join its attack on Iran in order to destroy the nuclear facility at Fordow, but it's also preparing contingency plans.

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