Defense/Security cooperation

Saudi Defense Minister and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrives for a press conference in Riyadh, on April 25, 2016.

Analysis

How Saudi defense shake-up exposes frustration with localization goals

As Riyadh struggles to reach its 50% Vision 2030 target, leadership reshuffles signal pressure for faster progress.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

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

HRH the Crown Prince welcomes President of Egypt upon arrival in Neom, Saudi Arabia, on Aug. 21, 2025.

Egypt's Sisi, Saudi crown prince discuss Red Sea, Gaza, trade in Neom

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi headed to Saudi Arabia as the two countries continue to strengthen bilateral ties and enhance cooperation on regional and international issues.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) arrives for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Heads of State and Government summit in The Hague, on June 25, 2025.

NATO summit to be held in Turkey next year, alliance says

Brussels' announcement comes as the Trump administration and Erdogan's government have continued to stake out common ground on stabilizing Syria and the southern Caucasus region.

LUIS TATO/AFP via Getty Images

Somaliland fumes over Turkish envoy's meeting with rebel figure: What to know

As diplomatic tensions flare between Ankara and Hargeisa after a Turkish envoy met a rebel figure in Mogadishu, Ankara is downplaying the encounter as circumstantial.

Latest News

Turkey, Japan defense chiefs meet as China concerns push Tokyo toward drones

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Serbia, Slovenia still buying Israeli arms despite embargo: What to know

A special anti-terrorist unit stands in front of the Palace of Serbia to secure the place prior to Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu's arrival for a meeting with Serbia's president in Belgrade, on Sept. 11, 2024.

Analysis

What UAE interest in South Korea’s KF-21 jets signals for Gulf defense strategy

Participants look at a miniature of KF-21 fighter jet (front) on display at the Responsible AI in the Military Domain (REAIM) summit in Seoul on Sept. 10, 2024.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

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

US to sell $500 million HIMARS rocket system to Bahrain

Test firing of a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) at the Jiupeng base, Pingtung, Taiwan, May 12, 2025.

An Azerbaijani national flag flies next to the mediaeval Khudaferin bridge in Jebrayil district at the country's border with Iran - the territories recaptured from Armenian forces in fierce clashes over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region that were under Armenian separatists' control for nearly three decades, on December 9, 2020. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP) (Photo by STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)

Signaling Iran, Israel's FM visits Azerbaijan, will open embassy in Turkmenistan

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen is holding meetings in Azerbaijan before traveling to Turkmenistan, where he will inaugurate Israel’s embassy.

A US Black Hawk helicopter takes off from Britain's RFA Cardigan Bay landing ship in the Gulf waters off Bahrain stand next to a rigid-hull inflatable boat during the International Maritime Exercise (IMX), on November 5, 2019. - IMX is a joint military exercise involving assets and personnel from more than 50 partner nations and seven international organisations. The US has pushed for the creation of a US-led operation dubbed the International Maritime Security Construct to safeguard trade and the flow of o

CENTCOM hires first-ever AI adviser as it fields new tech in Middle East

US CENTCOM became the first combatant command to appoint an AI, machine learning and robotics adviser this week as the Pentagon looks to keep ahead of China’s technological advances.

Washington Pulse

Burhan

Analysis

Sudan turmoil throws wrench into normalization with Israel

Sudanese leaders declared a few months ago that full normalization with Israel will take place only when a civilian transition government is established, now less likely than ever as military infighting continues.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in Downing Street to meet Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, London, England, March 24, 2023.

Israel’s Netanyahu falls in polls, could abandon judicial overhaul

Pressured by security threats, bad polls and criticism from the White House, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tries saving whatever is left to save of his status.

The US Central Command Commander General Michael Kurilla speaks at the 18th IISS Manama Dialogue in Bahrain's capital on November 19, 2022. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Breaking | Last Updated: April 12, 2023, 10:12 pm

CENTCOM eyeing artificial intelligence to counter Iran’s drones, says Kurilla

The top commander of US forces in the Middle East expressed concerns over China's inroads the region and told Al-Monitor he wants to turn up the heat at the next Red Sands exercise in Saudi Arabia to simulate more complex drone attacks.

Washington Connection

This photo shows the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) firing during the Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX) as part of the annual naval exercises between the Philippine Marine Corps and US Marine Corps at Capas, Tarlac province on October 13, 2022. (Photo by JAM STA ROSA / AFP) (Photo by JAM STA ROSA/AFP via Getty Images)

Breaking | Last Updated: April 13, 2023, 7:28 am

US approves $524 million HIMARS artillery sale to Morocco

The proposed sale, which also includes guided air-to-ground bombs, comes as Morocco draws closer to the United States and rival Algeria pursues stronger ties with Russia.

Israeli soldiers deploy in an open area near Kibuttz Malkia, in northern Israel bordering Lebanon, on April 7, 2023. - On April 6, the Israeli army said more than 30 rockets had been fired from Lebanese territory into Israel in the largest escalation on the northern border since Israel and Hezbollah fought a 34-day war in 2006. (Photo by JALAA MAREY / AFP) (Photo by JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel, Lebanon's Hezbollah agree to avoid confrontation, but for how long?

After two days of rockets first from Gaza and then from the Lebanese border, tensions seem to have calmed, at least temporary.

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

Israeli forces and emergency personnel gather near the Hamra junction, in the northern part of the Jordan valley in the occupied West Bank, following a shooting attack on April 7, 2023. - Two women were killed and another seriously wounded today in the shooting attack on a vehicle in the occupied West Bank, the Israeli army and medics said. (Photo by Jaafar ASHTIYEH / AFP) (Photo by JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/afp/AFP via Getty Images)

Two Israelis killed, third in critical condition in West Bank attack

On the backdrop of growing tensions and fire exchange on both the Gaza and Lebanon borders, two Israelis were killed at a shooting attack in the Jordan Valley region.

Benjamin Netanyahu

Analysis

Israel fears US will push for interim nuclear deal with Iran

Israel is concerned about increasing efforts by the Biden administration to reach some sort of a deal with Tehran, almost at all cost.

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

Passengers arrive on the Jordanian side of the King Hussein Bridge (also known as Allenby Bridge) crossing between the West Bank and Jordan on July 19, 2022. - The border crossing, which serves as a border crossing between Israel and Jordan mainly for the Palestinians and foreign tourists, has witnessed an issue with crowding with passengers stuck on the Jordanian side. (Photo by Khalil MAZRAAWI / AFP) (Photo by KHALIL MAZRAAWI/afp/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel expands border crossing hours for Palestinians going to Jordan

Following up on a promise made to US President Joe Biden, Israel agreed to expand the operation hours of the Allenby Bridge crossing point into Jordan.

JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel's shadow war with Iran escalates in Syria with attacks, drone interception

Israel has reportedly carried out seven raids over the past month and nine since the beginning of the year inside Syria. Israel on Sunday intercepted a drone coming from Syria.

Lilach Shoval

By Lilach Shoval

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos and Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias meet in Nicosia, march 31 2023 Credit: Israel’s embassy in Cyprus

Israeli, Cypriot, Greek FMs discuss Iran's IRGC in Cyprus meeting

The Iranian threat, security cooperation, joint energy projects and tourism were all discussed at the three-way meeting of the Israeli, Cypriot and Greek foreign ministers in Nicosia.