Defense/Security cooperation

Two F-15 Strike Eagle's take part in an air display on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow 2024, south west of London, on July 22, 2024.

Pentagon says Qatari F-15 fighter jet pilots to train at US base in Idaho

The announcement comes as the Trump administration has moved to reward Qatar for facilitating talks to end the Gaza war.

People walk along a destroyed road past heavily-damaged buildings in the centre of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on Oct. 10, 2025, as the displaced return to their homes after Israeli forces' withdrawal.

Pentagon bolsters Gaza ceasefire oversight with 200-troop mission to Israel

US military officials will help coordinate everything from logistics of humanitarian aid deliveries to building security force teams, but doubts remain as to whether any side can force Hamas to disarm.

The chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces, Gen. Rodolphe Haykal, meets with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Doha, Oct. 8, 2025.

Lebanon army chief visits Qatar amid push to disarm Hezbollah

Haykal has held meetings with the Qatari army chief, the country’s prime minister and its minister of state for defense affairs.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov chairs the annual meeting of the Caspian Sea littoral states foreign ministers, known as the Caspian Five, in Moscow, on Dec. 5, 2023.

Iran, Russia, Central Asia states ink Caspian Sea pact, plan naval drills

The navies of Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement on Wednesday, aimed at strengthening security in the Caspian Sea basin as the four countries deepen their relations.

Latest News

Analysis

Israel adapts, Turkey rises, Iran ruined: How 2 years of Gaza war reshaped Middle East

OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP via Getty Images

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

CENTCOM chief meets Syrian Kurdish leader in push for postwar unity

DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Jet lag: Turkey weighs alternatives as US sanctions stall Kaan engine imports

Turkish air force fighter jets fly over a parade during celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Turkey's invasion of Cyprus on July 20, 2024, in occupied northern Nicosia, Cyprus.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

US approves $230M for Lebanon’s push to disarm Hezbollah

Lebanese army soldiers and security forces deploy near a vehicle that was hit by a reported drone-strike at the entrance of the village of Barja, about 30 kilometres south of Beirut, on Sept. 9, 2025.

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

Visitors inspect sniper rifles during the opening day of Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX-2023) at the Cairo International Exhibition Center, Dec. 4, 2023.

Is Turkey-Egypt rapprochement turning into a long-term defense partnership?

Rapidly improving defense cooperation between Cario and Ankara falls in line with Turkey's multidimensional strategic outlook, observes believe.

Can Turkey and Algeria be strategic partners despite differences in Africa?

Mutual interests are bringing Turkey and Algeria closer, even though Erdogan’s policies in Africa have often irritated Algiers.

Flames and smoke rise from an agricultural structure in southern Lebanon's Khiam plain following an Israeli bombardment on Nov. 23, 2023.

Analysis

As Hezbollah clashes intensify, Israel pours cold water on Lebanon deal

Hezbollah's increasing provocations give Israel cause for concern, as the country lacks the energy to take on another enemy far more powerful than Hamas.

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

Turkey’s parliament to resume debate on Sweden’s NATO bid

Shortly after the parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee set a date for its new meeting, the Turkish Defense Ministry announced that Turkey and the United States held high-level talks on defense cooperation.

Yemeni coastguard members loyal to the internationally-recognised government ride in boats in the Red Sea off of the government-held town of Mokha in the western Taiz province, close to the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, on December 12, 2023. (Photo by Khaled Ziad / AFP) (Photo by KHALED ZIAD/AFP via Getty Images)

As US rallies new Red Sea task force, Arab states remain silent

The US is opting for a collective defensive approach after Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted a dozen commercial ships with drones and missiles in the Red Sea during recent weeks in response to Israel's war in Gaza.

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin (L) and Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant give a joint press conference in Tel Aviv on December 18, 2023. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Austin's wish list to Israel: No occupation of Gaza, no war deadline

Careful not to play into the hands of Hamas Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin did not present Israel with a clear deadline for reducing the scale of the ground operation in the Gaza Strip.

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

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin (L) and Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant give a joint press conference in Tel Aviv on December 18, 2023. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Austin takes firmer stance on Gaza war with Israel’s defense chiefs

After prompting by Washington, Israel's defense minister suggested a less destructive war campaign in Gaza is coming, but declined to lay out a timetable or to specify which objectives could lead to a new approach.

A file image grab taken from a video handed out by Yemen's Houthi rebels on March 27, 2018.

Breaking | Last Updated: December 18, 2023, 10:22 pm

US announces new naval task force as Houthis threaten Red Sea shipping

The United States is rallying its allies in a bid to deter Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, but it wasn't immediately clear what action they'd take to deter the ongoing flurry of attacks.

French Foreign and European Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna (L) and spokesperson of the Israeli army Col. Olivier Rafowitcz speak to the press as they visit the Shura army base near Ramle, Israel, Dec. 17, 2023.

Analysis

Israeli FM rejects France’s call for cease-fire as 'gift for Hamas'

While rejecting the call by French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said the two countries are working together to de-escalate tensions on the Lebanon border.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs