Defense/Security cooperation

U.S. President Donald J. Trump jokes with Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad al Thani as they attend a state dinner at the Lusail Palace on May 14, 2025, in Doha, Qatar. The visit underscores the strategic partnership between the United States and Qatar, focusing on regional security and economic collaboration.

US, Qatar's $243.5B deal includes sale of up to 210 Boeing jets: What to know

The United States and Qatar inked economic deals worth more than $243.5, laying the groundwork for a bigger $1.2 trillion package of expanded investment and trade, the White House said.

A member of Saudi security forces stands next to a replica of a fighter jet of the Saudi armed forces during the daily media briefing on Operation Decisive Storm, the Saudi-led coalition carrying out air strikes against Shiite Huthi militia in neighboring Yemen, on April 2, 2015 at the Air Base of the Saudi capital Riyadh.

US signs $142B deal to upgrade Saudi military

Announcement says the US will help modernize Riyadh’s air force and space capabilities, air and missile defenses, maritime and coastal fleet and border security forces, White House says.

President Donald Trump boards Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on May 12, 2025, in Washington.

Analysis

With US-Saudi defense pact stalled, Trump eyes civilian nuclear deal

Negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program have placed the Trump administration's strategic approach to the Middle East in a holding pattern.

Jared Szuba

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

US President Donald Trump (L) bids farewell to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he leaves the White House after a meeting on April 7, 2025, in Washington.

Analysis

How Trump's Gulf tour and release of Edan Alexander expose rift with Netanyahu

The US-Hamas deal for the release of Edan Alexander is just one of a series of issues where the gaps between Washington and the Netanyahu government keep growing.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Latest News

From Nixon to Trump: A look at US presidential visits to the Gulf

President Donald Trump is greeted by Air Force Col. Paul R. Pawluk as he arrives to board Air Force One on May 12, 2025, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.

In Gulf trip, Trump to prioritize blockbuster deals amid regional turmoil

Trump

Iranian, Saudi officials in India as more airlines halt service amid Pakistan row

new delhi

Israel supporter and Merz confidant: Meet Germany's new FM, Johann Wadephul

New German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul arrives at Orly Airport while accompanying new Chancellor Friedrich Merz to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron on May 7, 2025, in Orly, France.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Then head of Israeli Military Intelligence Tamir Hyman speaks at the Institute for National Security Studies think tank in Tel Aviv, Jan. 28, 2020.

Ex-Israeli military intel chief: Hamas split, Netanyahu govt derail Gaza deal

Former intelligence chief Tamir Hayman believes that a Gaza cease-fire could open opportunities for normalization with Saudi Arabia.

JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel hits Hezbollah deeper in Lebanon, but full-scale war not there yet

The downing of an Israeli military drone by a Hezbollah missile does not bode well for international efforts to prevent war on the Israel-Lebanon border.

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

Rear Adm. George M. Wikoff, commander, Task Force (CTF) 70, speaks to the crew over the 1MC aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85).

Interview

Yemen’s Houthis undeterred by strikes, senior US Navy commander says

In an exclusive interview, the US Navy’s top commander in the Middle East leveled with Al-Monitor about what the current campaign against the Houthis has achieved, saying diplomatic pressure could ultimately get the Iran-backed rebels to halt their brazen attacks on international commercial shipping.

George Wikoff

George Wikoff

Commander of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet

A Hermes 900 unmanned aerial vehicle is displayed at the Singapore Airshow in Singapore on Feb. 21, 2024.

Israel’s military exports to India booming, 'unaffected' by war in Gaza

Israel has been one of the top military exporters to India over the past decade.

Kaan

Turkey’s fifth-generation fighter jet Kaan completes maiden flight

Kaan's 13-minute flight, at an altitude of 8,000 feet and a speed of 230 knots, is being hailed as a milestone in Turkey’s efforts to maximize self-sufficiency in the defense sector.

School Lebanon

In south Lebanon, schools resume classes as displaced shelter inside

Hezbollah steps in as municipalities struggle to respond to the growing number of displaced.

Men armed with rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launchers and assault rifles ride in the back of a pickup vehicle parading before a large banner depicting the Koran, Islam's Holy Book, and Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, the slain leader of Yemen's Houthi movement who was killed in 2004, during a pro-Palestinian rally in the Houthi-held capital Sanaa on Feb. 7, 2024.

US designation of Houthis as terror group comes into effect

The Houthi struck a Panama-flagged tanker ship in the Gulf of Aden with a missile as Washington restored its terror designation on the group in a bid to clamp down on its attacks on commercial shipping.

Norway's Minister of Defense Bjorn Arild Gram sits in the back of an F-16 aircraft at Bodo airport, Norway, on Jan. 3, 2024.

Turkey says talks with US on local production of new F-16 ongoing

Mutual quest for the swift delivery of the new F-16s increases the prospects of the Turkish co-production offer, an analyst believes.

Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and his Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias, on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Brussels Feb. 15, 2024.

Turkey, Greece formally join German-led defense shield project

Turkey reportedly sought to join the initiative, announced by Berlin in 2022, earlier but didn’t receive an invitation.

Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli air strike in the southern Lebanese village of Shihin near the border on February 11, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border tensions as fighting continues between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by KAWNAT HAJU / AFP) (Photo by KAWNAT HAJU/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

France's plan seeks Hezbollah pullback, army deployment to Lebanon-Israel border

France is pushing a plan to de-escalate Israel-Hezbollah tensions and avoid a full-fledged war similar to 2006.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Palestinians inspect the damage amid the rubble of a building where two hostages were reportedly held before being rescued during an operation by Israeli security forcess in Rafah, on the southern Gaza Strip on February 12, 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the militant group Hamas. Israel announced on February 12 the rescue of two hostages in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where the Hamas-run health ministry said "around 100" Palestinians including children were killed in heavy overnight air

Analysis

Hostages' rescue buys Netanyahu time as Israel braces for longer war in Gaza

Prime Minister Netanyahu is patting himself on the back for the rescue operation of two Israeli hostages held in Rafah, and continues planning a military operation there despite US warnings.

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

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani speaks next to US Maj. Gen. Joel "J.B." Vowell as part of the first round of talks on the future of American and other foreign troops in the country, in Baghdad, on Jan. 27, 2024.

As tensions with Iran rise, US resumes talks with Iraq on troop presence

Attacks fall silent as Shia bloc in parliament pushes petition to expel American troops from Iraq.

Jared Szuba

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