Defense/Security cooperation

QATAR-US-DIPLOMACY Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (C-R) and US President Donald Trump (C-L) watch as US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (L) and Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani (R) sign documents during a signing ceremony at the Royal Palace in Doha on May 14, 2025. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP) (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Trump promises arms sales to the Gulf, but can he deliver?

Jared Szuba

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

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 billion, 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

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Analysis

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

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.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

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

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Israeli soldiers deploy near the border with Gaza on October 17, 2023. US President Joe Biden will visit Israel on October 18 in a show of "ironclad" support as Washington tries to prevent the escalating war against Hamas in Gaza from spilling into a wider Middle East conflict. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Distrusting Netanyahu, US takes oversight role in Israel's Hamas war

The two visits to Israel by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, another by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and the expected arrival on Wednesday of President Joe Biden reflect American concerns over the outbreak of a regional war.

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

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at Tioga Marine Terminal on October 13, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Biden discussed how his Bidenomics agenda is creating good-paying union jobs, investing in infrastructure, accelerating the transition to a clean energy future, and combatting the climate crisis.(Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)

Biden to visit Israel as US pushes humanitarian corridor for Gaza

Washington appears to have bought more time for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, but US officials say they are not placing conditions on weapons delivered to Israel nor dictating to the IDF on its operational plans.

JACQUELYN MARTIN/AFP via Getty Images

Back in Israel, Blinken tries to reach a deal on opening Gaza's Rafah crossing

On a second visit in four days, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Analysis

Snubbed by Russia, Israel and Ukraine draw closer after Hamas attack

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered little solidarity to Israel over the Hamas attack.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin opens an in-person Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting at Ramstein Air Base, southwestern Germany, on April 21, 2023. - The United States are hosting the meeting to discuss further support for Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelensky pushed Western allies to send more fighter jets and long-range missiles. Representatives from around 50 countries gather at the US Ramstein Air Base to coordinate their backing for Kyiv, as battles with Russia rage in the east of the cou

Pentagon chief heads to Israel, says no conditions on US arms transfers

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Washington has "not placed any conditions" on military hardware sent to Israel amid its campaign in Gaza, even as UN officials warn the IDF's siege of the Palestinian enclave violates international law.

USS Ford

US forces in Middle East brace for fallout of Israel-Gaza conflict

Pentagon officials have been increasingly concerned about the potential for wider conflict across the Middle East should Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups open up new fronts against Israel in a war with Gaza.

Jared Szuba

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

President Joe Biden speaks on the terrorist attacks in Israel.

Breaking | Last Updated: October 11, 2023, 9:42 am

Blinken to visit Israel in show of support after unprecedented Hamas attack

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to arrive Thursday in Israel for meetings with senior Israeli leaders.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna and her Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan shake hands at the end of a joint press conference following their talks in Yerevan on October 3, 2023. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP) (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

As Armenia's ties strain with Turkey, France pushes EU to stand with Yerevan

France has positioned itself strictly on Armenia’s side on the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, but can it avoid generating another crisis with Turkey?

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Navy gulf Oman

US sends 1.1 million rounds of seized Iranian ammunition to Ukraine

The unprecedented shipment comes as political paralysis in Congress has threatened to interrupt the flow of weapons to Kyiv.

The launch of a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite from an orbiting spacecraft.

Israel, Azerbaijan announce landmark deal for sale of two satellites

Israel Aerospace Industries and Azeri space agency Azercosmos announced the signing of an agreement for the sale of two Israeli-developed satellites.

TOW missile

US sells Oman $70 million worth of TOW antitank missiles

The Biden administration advanced the sale proposal even as Yemen's Houthis have engaged in peace talks in Saudi Arabia last month.

MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

US top diplomat to visit Israel, Saudi Arabia as normalization talks continue

The Israeli press has reported that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Israel, the West Bank, Saudi Arabia and Morocco in mid or late October to advance Israel-Saudi normalization.