Intelligence and espionage

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - MAY 16: U.S. President Donald J. Trump talks to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as he departs the Al Bateen Executive Airport on May 15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Trump is on the fourth and final day of his visit to the Gulf to underscore the strategic partnership between the United States and regional allies including the UAE, focusing on security and economic collaboration. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Analysis

AI pivot: Trump loosens export rules, opening path for Gulf tech surge

Gulf states have been lobbying the Trump administration to loosen export restrictions on AI technology, although concerns have lingered among some within the current administration over security risks regarding China.

Jared Szuba

Samuel Wendel

By Jared Szuba , Samuel Wendel

A picture shows a view of the damage following Israeli strikes on the Syrian army and Defense Ministry headquarters in Damascus, on July 16, 2025.

Israel’s defense chief to visit Pentagon following Syria, Iran strikes: What to know

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz is expected to meet in Washington with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and other senior American officials to discuss the latest developments in Iran and Syria.

A poster of the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant.

Pentagon reveals new details about strike on Iran’s Fordow: What to know

Top defense official says "no one" is on the ground at Fordow to assess the damage, as the Trump administration tries to dispel doubts about the effectiveness of the US bombing raid designed to knock out Iran’s main enrichment facility.

Jared Szuba

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

Analysis

Israel hopes for 3 'years of quiet’ under Trump even as Iran nuclear damage estimates vary

Conflicting US and Israeli assessments are casting doubt on whether Iran's nuclear sites were damaged or largely destroyed.

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

Latest News

Italy cuts ties with Israeli firm Paragon after spyware scandal: What to know

Two Israelis arrested for allegedly spying for Iran on Katz: What to know

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L), accompanied by outgoing finance minister Yisrael Katz, on June 13, 2021.

Israeli Mossad retrieves entire archive of Eli Cohen from Syria: What we know

This picture taken on Jan. 25, 2000, shows a close-up of a postage stamp commemorating Israeli spy Eli Cohen, who was executed by Syria in Damascus in 1965.

Meet Eli Sharvit, Trump critic and Netanyahu's outsider nominee to lead Shin Bet

Sharvit

Sudanese security forces keep watch as they protect a military hospital and government offices during protests against a military coup.

The Takeaway: Sudan’s fragile economic stability at risk after military takeover

Saudi Arabia’s plan for “net-zero”; Turkey’s spy busts; Syria’s rebel factions; Egypt’s robot detention; fatwas on marital sex and bodybuilding; fishing for plastic in the Nile … all in about 1,500 words!

OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Turkish media erupts with news of Iran spy arrests — three weeks late

The victorious headlines ran in all the pro-government print news media, which are in desperate need of good news amid the deepening economic crisis.

Turkey Israel

Turkey’s spy-bust bombshell unlikely to further worsen ties with Israel

The Turkish media may be abuzz with reports about the foiling of a Mossad-run spy ring, but Israel appears unimpressed, and observers see no further deterioration in the already frosty bilateral relations.

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

15 spies for Israel's Mossad arrested, reports Turkish press

Turkey's Sabah newspaper reported that a 15-member spy network was arrested on Oct. 15 in an operation carried out across four Turkish provinces.

Visitors attend Gitex Shopper at the World Trade Center, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sept. 24, 2017.

UAE budget boosts cybersecurity

The huge increase of cyberattacks during the coronavirus pandemic, digital transformation and terrorism threats have pushed the UAE to secure its cyberborders through high expenditure within its new budget.

Video image released by hackers of Evin Prison prisoner abuse.

Iran’s intelligence accused of killing Kurdish political activist

Yasser Mangouri’s family was informed of his death more than 50 days into his summoning in the northwestern city of Piranshahr.

Aviem Sella

Israel’s military promotes handler of jailed US spy to brigadier general

Aviem Sella's promotion was approved by Defense Minister Benny Gantz.

Tunisia barricades

The Takeaway: The roots of Tunisia’s political crisis are economic

Also: United States, Iraq stay focused on Islamic State; Gulf eyes solar energy; Russia’s Syria policy puzzles Israel; Afghan refugees trigger backlash in Turkey; Erdogan puts spotlight on Cyprus ghost town.

weapons

Iranian intelligence says it busted alleged Israeli spy network

Iranian officials said the alleged Mossad operatives planned to use weapons during riots in Iran and were arrested at the western border.

Iran's former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addresses reporters at the Interior Ministry headquarters.

Ahmadinejad accuses 'ring' in Iran intelligence of espionage

The serious allegation marked a new episode in the ex-president's confrontations with the Revolutionary Guards and its powerful intelligence branch.

Princess Latifa in Spain?

Dubai princess' number on Pegasus spyware list

The phone numbers for Princess Latifa and some of her friends appeared on a leaked database of surveillance targets reportedly selected by customers of the Israel-based NSO Group.

Barnea, Netanyahu and Cohen of Israel's Mossad.

David Barnea to be nominated as next Mossad head

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced today that current Deputy Mossad Chief David Barnea will replace head of the espionage agency Yossi Cohen, who finishes his mandate at the beginning of June.