Defense/Security cooperation

Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft from the Kuwaiti Air Force fly over during an airshow in Kuwait City, Feb. 25, 2025.

Analysis

On Eurofighters, Turkey hedges bets as it awaits Merz's decision in Germany

With the government of the incoming chancellor poised to decide the fate of the deal, analysts debate whether it will survive and suggest possible alternatives.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images

New German government to decide on Eurofighter sale to Turkey: Officials

Germany’s outgoing government will leave the Eurofighter sale decision to incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz, official German sources suggested to Al-Monitor.

This handout photo made available by the Iranian Army Office on April 17, 2025 shows Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major-General Mohammed Bagheri (L) receiving Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman (C) in Tehran on April 17, 2025.

Saudi defense chief meets Khamenei in historic Iran visit: What to know

Prince Khalid’s visit marks a further step in Iran and Saudi Arabia’s political reconciliation, but it comes at a tense time in the region, with the second round of US-Iran nuclear negotiations just two days away.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: U.S. President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrives at the White House on April 07, 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 Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Analysis

US-Iran gaps seen as bridgeable as Israeli strike leak undermines Netanyahu

If the New York Times report is correct, the Israeli prime minister intended to strike Iran but backed away under pressure by the Trump administration, much like he did in 2011 and in 2012.

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

Latest News

IAEA chief in Tehran as Iran FM returns to Russia with Khamenei letter

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (L) and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov walk together after their meeting to give a joint press conference at the foreign ministry headquarters in Tehran on February 25, 2025. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

With F-35, Eurofighter jets on table, Turkey cools off on F-16 deal

The Soloturk aerobatic demonstration team of the Turkish Air Force flies an F-16 aircraft over Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Turkish Republic's Founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, during celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey in Ankara, on October 29, 2023. Turkey marked its centenary as a post-Ottoman republic on October 29, 2023, with somewhat muted celebrations held in the shadow of Israel's escalating war with Hamas militants in Gaza. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALT

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Sudan’s Burhan arrives in Turkey on heels of Eritrea visit, key victories

People cheers as Sudan's de facto leader, armed forces chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan arrives at the market in Port Sudan on December 29, 2024. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Senate confirms Elbridge Colby as Pentagon’s next policy chief

Elbridge Colby, President Donald Trump's nominee to be undersecretary of defense for policy.

An Israeli Air Force F-35I Adir multirole fighter aircraft flies over the Negev Desert after taking off from a military base en route to the Gaza Strip on Oct. 14, 2023.

Pentagon denies role in Israel's Iran strikes after warning against nuclear targets

The Israeli military is signaling to Tehran that it can strike its nuclear facilities from afar with or without direct American support.

Rockets fired from southern Lebanon are intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome air defense system over the Upper Galilee region in northern Israel on Sept. 24, 2024.

Israel clinches $500M deal with Elbit Systems, Rafael for Iron Beam defense system

Expected to be operational within a year, the 100-kilowatt class, high-energy Iron Beam system is designed to complement Israel's existing Iron Dome defense system.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participate in a joint statement in the East Room of the White House on January 28, 2020 in Washington, DC. The news conference was held to announce the Trump administration's plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Photo by Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel’s Netanyahu 'dreams' of Trump victory to deal Iran final blow

Though the Israeli government's stated war goals include avoiding a regional war and an ongoing confrontation with Iran, the reelection of former President Donald Trump could change the calculus.

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

A Saudi navy ship is pictured docked at King Faisal navy base in Jeddah before the departure of a team to Port Sudan to help with the evacuation efforts of people fleeing Sudan, on April 29, 2023. - Warplanes on bombing raids drew heavy anti-aircraft fire over Khartoum as fierce fighting between Sudan's army and paramilitaries entered a third week, despite a renewed truce. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Saudi naval ambitions get a boost after joint Greece, France exercise

The kingdom is modernizing its navy under Vision 2030, replacing outdated vessels while seeking to diversify its military partnerships beyond traditional US reliance — but operational gaps remain.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

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

Mossad intelligence agency chief David Barnea (R) and Ronen Bar (2nd L), chief of Israel's domestic Shin Bet security agency, attend a ceremony.

Analysis

Iran expands spy network in Israel, recruiting Jews and Arabs for attacks

Iran is actively trying to recruit both Jews and Arabs for different spying tasks and to attack Israeli senior officials.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

A Dassault Rafale C (below) and an F-16 Fighting Falcon combat airplane perform maneuvers over Ramstein Air Base during a day of fighter plane exercises on June 06, 2024 in Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany.

US F-16s arrive in Middle East as Israel prepares for Iran strike

As Israel prepares to strike Iran, a batch of US air force reinforcements has landed in the region, the second this month.

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - NOVEMBER 29: The Pentagon is seen from a flight taking off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on November 29, 2022 in Arlington, Virginia. The Pentagon is the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense and the world’s largest office building. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Analysis

Pentagon's Iran leak shocks Israel but not delaying strike plans

Israel denies having changed its plans after the leak of Pentagon documents allegedly describing is preparations for a strike bigger than the one against Iran in April.

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

Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, gives a speech during the extended format meeting of the BRICS summit in Kazan on Oct. 23, 2024.

UAE, Egypt pursue Iran outreach at first joint BRICS summit in Russia

The summit in the Russian city of Kazan was the first to feature Iran, Egypt and the UAE as full members.

The Pentagon again postponed a key test of its troubled "THAAD'''' anti-missile defense rocket, seen this file photo, due to a commercial power failure, the Defense Department said. (photo by Lockheed Martin)

Exclusive

Inside US-Israel understanding to reward Netanyahu for not targeting Iran’s oil fields

The Israeli government might agree to refrain targeting Iranian oil sites in exchange for a security package offered by the Biden administration.

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

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Israel arrests 7 nationals suspected of spying for Iran: What we know

Israeli authorities are saying the affair is one of the most serious espionage cases in recent Israeli history.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stands in front of a Eurofighter Tycoon combat aircraft as he speaks during a visit to the Bavarian plant of European aircraft maker Airbus in Manching, southern Germany, January 19, 2024.

Analysis

Can Turkey-Germany summit produce breakthrough on Eurofighter sale?

Eurofighters for Turkey are expected to top Olaf Scholz's meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. A senior Turkish defense industry official told Al-Monitor that local production of some of the parts might be an option.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi meets with his Egyptian counterpart (not pictured) in Cairo, on Oct. 17, 2024.

Iran FM Araghchi meets Egypt’s Sisi amid diplomatic push: What we know

The Iranian foreign minister held talks with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, during which both agreed on the need to promote relations between the two countries.