Defense/Security cooperation

US ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, showed up at a Dec. 16 meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan

Laced with intrigue: What did Tom Barrack’s shoes reveal about US-Turkey ties?

US Ambassador Tom Barrack’s choice of Nike sneakers at high-profile meetings has sparked speculation, conspiracy theories and widespread debate in Turkey over his intentions and messages.

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, EGYPT - OCTOBER 13: U.S. President Donald Trump and President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi clasp hands as they speak to the press before their meeting on October 13, 2025 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. President Trump is in Egypt to meet with European and Middle Eastern leaders in what’s being billed as an international peace summit, following the start of a US-brokered ceasefire deal to end the war in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Analysis

How Netanyahu ceded to Trump, agreed to Egypt's $35B gas deal

The Israeli prime minister's frustration with Trump administration strong-arming continues, with pressure to sign Egypt gas deal and now a reported push for Sisi meeting.

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

KEMAL ASLAN/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Turkey rebuffs air-defense criticism after drone shot down near Ankara

The incident near the capital has sparked debate over response and raised questions over Turkey’s defense capabilities.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) meets with US special envoy Tom Barrack, Jerusalem, Dec. 15 2

Analysis

Trump's Syria envoy Barrack tests Israel's patience as Netanyahu pushes back

The struggle between the Israeli prime minister and the envoy is an acknowledgment by Israeli leaders that "what will happen is what Trump wants to happen."

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

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Inside Netanyahu’s pressure campaign to block Turkey, Saudi Arabia from acquiring F-35s

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin (L) talks to U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on April 7, 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 Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

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

Analysis

Under US pressure, Israel softens Syria tone but is wary of Sharaa

Israeli Druze from Majdal Shams crossed into Syria on July 16, 2025, to assist relatives in nearby villages following a reported massacre of Druze civilians by Syrian army forces and allied militias.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

Russian leak signals Su-35s for Iran moving to production: What to know

Russian Sukhoi Su-35S fighter aircrafts, Su-34 military fighter jets and Su-30SM jet fighters fly over downtown Moscow during a military parade on June 24, 2020.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

US strategy document names Iran 'chief' destabilizer, calls Syria 'potential problem'

The US National flag flies at half staff on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC on December 4, 2025, in honor of Sarah Beckstrom, the National Guard member who was fatally shot the week before. An Afghan man accused of shooting two members of the National Guard near the White House, killing one, pleaded not guilty on December 2, 2025 to murder charges. Lakanwal is charged with first-degree murder for the death of Sarah Beckstrom, 20, a National Guard member from West Virginia, as well as ass

A member of Iraq's Special Operations Forces stands guard during the funeral of Hassan Hammadi al-Amiri, a fallen member of the group Kataib Hezbollah.

Iraq slams latest US airstrikes on Kataib Hezbollah sites

Latest strikes put new pressure on Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani over the US troop presence in Iraq.

Shahar Yorman/Israeli Defense Ministry

Analysis

France's defense chief pushes for 3 goals on Israel visit

In Israel, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu is showing Paris’ willingness to further engage in ending the fighting in Gaza and preventing regional escalation.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

AKROTIRI, CYPRUS - JANUARY 12: In this handout image provided by the UK Ministry of Defence, an RAF Typhoon aircraft returns to berth following a strike mission on Yemen's Houthi rebels at RAF Akrotiri on January 12, 2024 in Akrotiri, Cyprus. On Thursday evening, four RAF Typhoons launched from RAF Akrotiri to conduct strikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels, who have been targeting merchant vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden with missiles and drones. According to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the s

Fourth round of US strikes in Yemen as Houthis vow retaliation

The US launched the strikes just hours after the Houthis hit a US-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged cargo vessel off Yemen's southern coast on Wednesday.

The container ship, A Daisen, with the destination 'DJJIB ARMED GUARD' seen at sea on Jan. 17, 2024, in Djibouti.

Yemen's Houthis hit another US-owned cargo ship as strikes fail to deter

Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed they hit a US-owned bulk carrier with at least one naval missile in the Gulf of Aden, defying Washington and setting the stage for a prolonged tit-for-tat with the US military.

Jared Szuba

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

This photograph taken on January 16, 2024 shows a view of the English Cemetery in the village of al-Zawaida in central Gaza Strip, amid oingoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

US-Israel gap widens amid fears Gaza war 'stuck,' Netanyahu dragging it out

The White House increasingly thinks that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not interested in ending the Gaza war soon for his own political reasons.

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

A group of singers perform Somali nationalistic songs during a demonstration in support of Somalia's government following the port deal signed between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland at Eng Yariisow Stadium in Mogadishu on January 3, 2024. Somalia vowed to defend its territory after a controversial Red Sea access deal between Ethiopia and the breakaway state of Somaliland that it branded as "aggression". (Photo by ABDISHUKRI HAYBE / AFP) (Photo by ABDISHUKRI HAYBE/AFP via Getty Images)

In fallout of Somaliland-Ethiopia deal, Turkey backs Somalia amid rivalries

Turkey's harsh reaction to the deal between Somaliland and Ethiopia reflects its close ties with Somalia, where it has a military base and commercial interests.

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.