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

Chinese ambassador to the United Nations Zhang Jun speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting on Gaza, at UN headquarters in New York City on December 8, 2023.

Breaking | Last Updated: January 10, 2024, 7:10 pm

China, Russia abstain as UN Security Council adopts resolution condemning Houthi attacks

Attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels have caused major disruptions to shipping in the Red Sea.

Crew members on Britain's HMS Diamond respond to Houthi missiles and drones in the Red Sea, Jan. 9, 2024.

Houthis’ largest attack yet in Red Sea poses test for US resolve

Yemeni rebels defied an ultimatum from the United States and its allies, targeting commercial shipping lanes and apparently a UK Royal Navy warship with their largest drone and missile barrage yet.

Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani meets with commander of the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, Maj. Gen. Joseph Votel, on Jan. 9, 2024.

Coalition chief meets Iraqi Kurdistan president as Baghdad agitates against US presence

The Pentagon said it is in dialogue with Iraq’s government over the future of the US troop presence in the country as Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani faces pressure to expel American troops.

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 31: U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrives to testify at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill October 31, 2023 in Washington, DC. Austin and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken both testified at the hearing on budget requests, which includes aid money for Israel and Ukraine. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Pentagon: No impact on Middle East ops following Austin's hospitalization

Senior Pentagon officials were alerted a day after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had been admitted to intensive care, but failed to notify White House.

Jared Szuba

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

This picture taken from an Israeli position along the border with southern Lebanon shows smoke billowing above the village of Adayseh during Israeli bombardment, Jan. 4, 2024.

Analysis

How damaging was Hezbollah's rocket barrage on Israeli air base?

In a first since Oct. 7, Hezbollah hit and damaged infrastructure at an Israeli air base in the north of the country, not far from the border with Lebanon.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Israeli soldiers deploy at kibbutz Beeri near the border with Gaza, Oct. 11, 2023.

Israeli military causes uproar with plans to investigate its conduct on Oct. 7

News of the Israeli military establishing a committee to investigate itself took security cabinet members by surprise.

The Soloturk aerobatic demonstration team of the Turkish Air Force flies an F-16 aircraft over Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Turkish Republic's Founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, during celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey in Ankara, on October 29, 2023. Turkey marked its centenary as a post-Ottoman republic on October 29, 2023, with somewhat muted celebrations held in the shadow of Israel's escalating war with Hamas militants in Gaza. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALT

Ahead of Blinken's trip, Turkey's patience is wearing thin on F-16s sale

Ahead of the US top diplomat’s visit, Ankara has signaled that its patience over its bid to purchase new F-16 fighter jets from the United States is wearing thin.

Yemen's Houthi rebels on the Galaxy Leader cargo ship.

Breaking | Last Updated: January 4, 2024, 12:33 pm

US, allies put Houthis on notice over shipping attacks after Pentagon readies strike options

Washington and a dozen other nations issued their clearest warning yet since the Pentagon has readied plans to strike Houthi targets in response to the Yemeni faction's brazen attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

SOUTHERN ISRAEL - JANUARY 02: An Israeli soldier directs a tank to be loaded on a truck on January 02, 2024 in Southern Israel, near the border to Gaza. Prior to annnouncing the withdrawal of some troops from Gaza, Israel extended its ground offensive into densely populated neighborhoods in the central part of the territory, forcing a fresh wave of displacement to south. Meanwhile, its aerial campaign continued apace across the territory as it seeks to destroy Hamas following the militant group's Oct. 7 att

What does Israeli military drawdown mean for Gaza war?

The Israeli military is preparing for what could be seen as the third phase of the war in Gaza, with less troops on the ground and more precisely targeted operations.

American aircraft carrier anchored in a harbor after offshore training exercises.

US pulls aircraft carrier from Mediterranean as Israel escalates in Lebanon

Israeli leaders test Hezbollah's restraint as the US Navy's largest aircraft carrier heads home following an extended deployment to deter Iran and its proxies.

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Naftali Bennett: Israel attacked Iran drone base, killed IRGC commander in 2022

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett accused the current government of ignoring the war Iran is waging against it and letting its leaders off the hook.

A picture taken in southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip on Dec. 11, 2023.

Analysis

What will Israel’s next phase entail in Gaza as war drags on?

The Israeli military continues fighting in an attempt to mark as many achievements on the ground before it shifts to the third phase of the war.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs