Analysis Trump fumes, Hamas scoffs: Will Israel’s Qatar strikes backfire? While the targeted Hamas leaders' fate is unknown, it is clear that the United States is unhappy with Tuesday’s strike and that Qatar will distance itself from mediating a Gaza ceasefire deal. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
CENTCOM commander meets Egypt’s Sisi in Cairo The Navy admiral’s visit comes as Pentagon officials aim to draw the North African state closer to Washington’s orbit and coordinate multilateral efforts to deter Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. Egypt
Trump aims to crack Gulf's armed drone market with looser export restrictions Washington's latest reinterpretation of the 35-nation MTCR agreement is expected to open the door for a potential major sale of advanced aerial weaponry to Saudi Arabia. United States
As youth unemployment nears 50%, can conscription ease Jordan's economic woes? Jordan is reinstating mandatory military service for young men to address rising youth unemployment, promote national identity, and counter domestic and regional security threats. Jordan
Analysis Inside Israel's Yemen operation that decapitated Houthi leadership By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Pentagon chief to assure allies of US commitment in Bahrain, UAE Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will speak at the Manama Dialogue forum on Saturday morning. United Arab Emirates
Israeli-Egyptian meetings mark rapprochement progress The expected visit to Israel in a few days of Egyptian Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel reflects the trend of rapprochement in recent months between Jerusalem and Cairo. Israel
Iraq diversifies arms imports after US withdrawal from Afghanistan The US withdrawal may have spurred Iraq to consider purchases from Turkey and Pakistan, according to report by the Pentagon's Inspector General. News Brief
US envoy asks Israel to intervene in Sudan, says local press According to Israeli reports, visiting US envoy to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield asked Defense Minister Benny Gantz to step in in Sudan. Israel
Erdogan envisions alliance of Turkic-speaking states The recent summit of Turkic-speaking states has fueled Ankara’s ambitions to lead a Turkic regional economic and security complex, but major geopolitical, economic and institutional hurdles remain. Turkey
Leadership urges caution as Israeli tourists held in Istanbul Israel is concerned that the prolonged detention in Istanbul of tourists Natali and Mordi Oknin bodes ill for rapprochement between the two countries. Israel
Intel: US, UAE talk F-35 as Russia pitches stealth aircraft A top State Department official warned the Biden administration is "very serious" about imposing sanctions on partners that purchase Russian military hardware. Legacy: Gulf
Erdogan woos Armenia with regional cooperation proposal A transport corridor for Azerbaijan via Armenian territory — a plan that has stoked Turkey’s strategic ambitions in the region — remains on paper a year on, but that’s not the only obstacle to normalization between the three neighbors. Turkey
Intel: Russia displays new fighter jet at Dubai Airshow 2021 With the Su-75 Checkmate on display, Russia aims to remind the Emirates and other nations they have options when it comes to fifth-generation fighters. Russia / Mideast
Dubai Airshow 2021 kicks off with expectations of big deals The rise in attacks around the region in recent years using drones pushed the sales of UAV technologies in the Middle East to reach $1.5 billion over the last five years. Legacy: Gulf
Israel, Egypt to increase military presence along Egypt's Rafah border Egypt and Israel sign an agreement allowing increased military presence in Egypt's Rafah border area, a move that analysts say is a win-win for the two neighbors. Egypt
US Rep. Ilhan Omar moves to block $650 million Saudi arms sale If passed by the Senate, the joint resolution would block the sale of 280 air-to-air missiles to Riyadh. Saudi Arabia
