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. United States
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. Palestine
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. Lebanon
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. Iran
Analysis Israel adapts, Turkey rises, Iran ruined: How 2 years of Gaza war reshaped Middle East By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Jet lag: Turkey weighs alternatives as US sanctions stall Kaan engine imports By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Europe to sanction Iran drone companies for arming Russia in Ukraine President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen called on member states to adopt a 10th sanctions package against Russia that also includes a ban on Iranian companies. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
How Israel’s HevenDrones latest hydrogen-powered drone can help UAE The lightweight aerial vehicle for defense or commercial use is the latest fruit of diplomatic normalization between the two countries, and will be featured at IDEX next week. Legacy: Gulf
US defense intelligence confirms Iran’s drone use in Ukraine The Pentagon report comes a day after the UK government turned over weapons and other evidence to the United Nations that Iran had attempted to ship to Yemen's Houthi rebels in violation of international law. Iran
US general reveals Chinese balloons have flown over the Middle East A senior CENTCOM official said the high-altitude balloons have posed no threat to troops, and he expressed interest in obtaining similar ones to fill gaps in the United States' intelligence collection. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Pentagon, State Department officials in Saudi Arabia to talk Iran strategy Like its predecessors, the Biden administration wants Gulf Cooperation Council states to share air defense intel to defuse potential attacks by Iran, but will they work together? Legacy: Gulf
Israel, Sudan to normalize ties? Not so fast The normalization process is allowing the prime minister to flash his diplomatic bona fides at a time of domestic turmoil, but normalization may still take time. Israel
France's seizure of Iranian weapons to Yemen is a win for Pentagon French forces seized some 3,000 assault rifles, 23 anti-tank rockets and more than half a million rounds of ammunition bound for Yemen's Houthi rebels. Iran
US CENTCOM pulls closer to Israeli military as Mossad tests Iran Training exercise represents the tightest collaboration ever, but CENTCOM's deputy commander told Al-Monitor the US had no involvement in recent strikes attributed to Israel in Isfahan, Iran and eastern Syria. Israel
Chad President to inaugurate new embassy in Israel, as Netanyahu opens to Africa "Israel’s coming back to Africa and Africa [is] coming back to Israel," Netanyahu told Chadian President Mahamat Deby ahead of opening embassy on Thursday. Israel
Israel's Netanyahu to meet Macron in Paris amid Iran tension Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to travel to Paris on Thursday to meet with the French leader. Israel
US warns Americans in Turkey of 'imminent terrorist' attacks The US Embassy in Ankara updated its previous security alert warning its nationals against potential "retaliatory attacks" in response to Quran-burning protests in Europe. Turkey
NATO wants Israel to 're-examine' its aid to Ukraine NATO and Israel are closer than even before on the issue of the Iranian threat but not yet on the same page over assisting Ukraine. Israel
