Defense/Security cooperation

ROME, ITALY - APRIL 29: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and talian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shake hands during the press conference following their meeting at Villa Doria Pamphilj, on April 29, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)

Erdogan, Meloni ink deals with focus on drones, Italy-Turkey defense ties

The Turkish president’s visit to Rome has strengthened Turkey-Italy ties through cooperation deals, including in the defense sector.

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia, Israel, Turkey rank in top 20 global military spenders: What to know

Regional military spending saw a significant increase in 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, amid conflicts in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon, though it found that Europe drove the overall hike in global expenditures.

Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

Iran, Azerbaijan ink 7 MOUs as Pezeshkian visits Baku: What to know

As part of a broader diplomatic thaw, Iran and Azerbaijan have agreed to enhance cooperation in political, economic and security sectors during President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to Baku.

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.

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Analysis

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

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

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

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

JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images

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

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.

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

US special envoy to the region Amos Hochstein (R) meets with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant at Israeli Defense Ministry headquarters, Tel Aviv, Jan. 4, 2024.

In Israel, US envoy Hochstein talks Lebanon border tensions with Gallant

US special envoy Amos Hochstein met with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and is set to speak with President Isaac Herzog as the Israel-Lebanon border remains tense.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and US President Joe Biden shake hands at the start of the first plenary session of the NATO summit at the Ifema congress centre in Madrid, on June 29, 2022.

Has Turkey’s Erdogan axed his Biden meeting because of Israel?

Despite rumors of a cancellation in Turkish media, several high-level US diplomats have traveled over the past few days to Ankara to lay the ground for the summit.

Retired Israeli general and Executive Director of Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies Amos Yadlin attends a session at the Manama Dialogue security conference, Manama, Bahrain, Dec. 5, 2020.

Interview

Israel's ex-intel chief: Biden distrusts Netanyahu, Iran escalation unlikely

Former head of IDF intelligence Amos Yadlin believes Israel should take the time to estimate whether the additional sanctions announced by the US and the EU would indeed affect Iran’s decision-making on its regional aggression and nuclear program.

Amos Yadlin

Amos Yadlin

Former Head of Israeli Military Intelligence

Heavy armor is displayed during a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the Battle of Ramadi at Camp Pendleton, California, April 5, 2024. Veterans and gold star families of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines gathered for the ceremony marking the anniversary of the battle of Ramadi, during which 34 Marines and sailors were killed in action in Iraq in the spring of 2004. (Photo by David SWANSON / AFP) (Photo by DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images)

New attacks near US bases in Iraq, Syria threaten uneasy detente

The Pentagon seemed to downplay the first new attacks on US troops in Syria and Iraq since February, as Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah militia distanced itself from responsibility.

Israeli soldiers of the Netzah Yehuda Battalion hold morning prayers as they take part in their annual unit training in the Israeli annexed Golan Heights, near the Syrian border, May 19, 2014.

Analysis

Inside Netzah Yehuda Battalion, Israel’s army unit bracing for US sanctions

In an unprecedented move, the Biden administration is set to sanction the Netzah Yehuda Battalion, which is accused of violating the human rights of West Bank Palestinians.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

This picture taken on April 15, 2024 shows a view of a billboard depicting named Iranian ballistic missiles in service, with text in Arabic reading "the honest [person's] promise" and in Persian "Israel is weaker than a spider's web", in Valiasr Square in central Tehran. Iran on April 14 urged Israel not to retaliate militarily to an unprecedented attack overnight, which Tehran presented as a justified response to a deadly strike on its consulate building in Damascus. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by

Analysis

Israel, Iran at a draw after Isfahan attack, ready to return to covert war

Israel's very limited, calculated attack on Iran perhaps signals that Israel opted to avoid escalating regional tensions.

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

A boy rides a donkey near one of the batteries of Israel's Iron Dome missile defense.

As it waits for Passover, Israel still bent on retaliating against Iran

Statements by Israeli tops indicate that while the country has decided to retaliate against Iran for last weekend's attack, it might not do so immediately and, in all likelihood, not before the end of Passover on April 30.

A handout photo made available by the Israeli Government Office (GPO).

In Israel, UK, Germany FMs caution against retaliation to Iran attack

On a visit to Israel, British Foreign Minister David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock are calling on the Jewish state to avoid a military operation against Iran, though statements by Israeli officials indicate that the die is cast.

Members of the Israeli military show an Iranian ballistic missile which fell in Israel on the weekend, during a media tour at the Julis military base near the southern Israeli city of Kiryat Malachi on April 16, 2024. Iran carried out an unprecedented direct attack on Israel overnight April 13-14, using more than 300 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles, in retaliation for a deadly April 1 air strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. Nearly all were intercepted, according to the Israeli army.

Analysis

What’s holding up Israeli retaliation against Iran and what are its options?

Israel is in a state of rage after the missile and drone attack by Iran, yet for the moment it seems that no decision has been made on possible military retaliation.

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

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) takes part in a meeting with Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (R).

Senior US official in Turkey to discuss regional tensions, Erdogan-Biden summit

The expected visit of the Turkish president to the White House, along with the escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran, intensifies diplomatic activity between Washington and Ankara.

Israel's Iron Dome defence missile system is on alert, stationed close to the southern Israeli town of Sderot on Oct. 12, 2023.

Analysis

Israel's Netanyahu 'unlikely to disobey Biden' as Iran attack readjusts alliances

Israel would have no choice but to retaliate forcefully, but that changed after 99% of the projectiles from Iran were intercepted, causing minimal damage in Israel, and President Joe Biden spoke to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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

In this handout photo provided by the White House, US President Joe Biden meets with members of the National Security team regarding the unfolding missile attacks on Israel from Iran, on April 13, 2024 in the White House Situation Room in Washington, DC.

Biden urges Israel to 'think carefully' as it mulls response to Iran attack

The United States has told Israel it won’t participate in any counteroffensive against Iran, senior administration officials said.