Military Industry

US President Donald Trump walks toward Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, on March 28, 2025, in Washington.

After major arms sales, Trump to visit Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar: What to know

The president is urging Gulf countries to increase their investment in the US after a series of bilateral economic and defense deals in recent months.

A pickup truck is carrying two Iranian missile mockups during a rally that marks the 46th anniversary of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution in Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 10, 2025.

Iran's IRGC unveils underground facility housing thousands of ballistic missiles

As it navigates crises at home and abroad, Iran has released video footage of an underground “missile city” in an attempt to flex its military might.

Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam walks among Lebanese army soldiers as he visits the southern village of Khiam near the border with Israel, on Feb. 28, 2025.

US green lights $95 million in aid for Lebanon’s army

The Trump administration made an exception to its foreign assistance freeze for a $95 million aid package headed to Lebanon's armed forces.

The Martyr Rais Ali Delvari warship is unveiled during a ceremony in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas on February 27, 2025. (Photo by DEFA Press news agency)

Iran’s IRGC says advanced warship joins naval fleet amid US tensions

The addition appears to be Iran's latest strategic yet cautious positioning in the face of strain with the United States and Israel.

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Analysis

Sudan, Russia reach 'understanding' on naval base but hurdles remain

A general view shows docked ships at the harbor of the Sudanese city of Port Sudan, on April 27, 2021.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Iran unveils new drones in military drill: What to know

drones

Iran’s IRGC unveils first drone carrier warship

Iran’s Shahid Bagheri drone carrier joins the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps' (IRGC) naval fleet during a ceremony in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas on February 6, 2025.

Israel sells $582M air defense system to Slovakia: What to know

A "Bird Eye-650" long endurance mini-UAV system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries.

Iranian Defense Ministry

Iran conducts record space launch with largest-ever payload

Iran's space program has previously concerned the United States and its allies, who claim that its developments go hand-in-hand with those of its ballistic missile program.

A US Navy Martin UAV drone flies over the Gulf waters as Royal Bahrain Naval Force (RBNF) Abdulrahman Al Fadhel takes part in joint naval exercise between US 5th Fleet Command and Bahraini forces, on October 26, 2021. - The US and Bahrain navies conducted a joint exercise at sea, launching a series of drills integrating unmanned systems into regional maritime operations. (Photo by Mazen Mahdi / AFP) (Photo by MAZEN MAHDI/AFP via Getty Images)

Bahrain announces UK inclusion in key security pact with US

Bahrain signed the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement with the Biden administration in September 2023; Manama plans to turn it into a multilateral agreement with more members amid regional threats.

Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

Iran promises response 'beyond imagination' to Israeli strikes even as deal looms

A month after Israel's Oct. 26 strikes on Iran, Iranian officials are ramping up discussions of a response to the attack.

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

View taken on Oct. 27, 2008, of the Israel Aerospace Industries booth at the world's leading trade show for naval and maritime safety, in Le Bourget, north of Paris.

France again bans Israeli firms from defense fair, deepening diplomatic rift

In another sign of deteriorating bilateral relations between Israel and France, Israeli companies will be prevented from featuring their products at the international maritime exposition Euronaval in Paris in November.

Macron

Analysis

What is extent of France-Israel rift as Macron calls for arms embargo?

Israel and France are not yet in a diplomatic crisis, but the exchange of accusations between French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu does not bode well for bilateral relations.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

The first delivered batch of F-35 fighter jets flies over the Skrydstrup Air Base, Denmark, Sep. 14, 2023.

Analysis

US revival of Turkey’s F-35 deal complicated by Russia, political climate

A potential F-35-for-S-400 deal doesn't seem feasible from a technical as well as political standpoint, Turkish experts believe.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Protesters wave Palestinian flags.

Is Canada's partial arms suspension to Israel symbolic or consequential?

Canada suspended 30 permits for arms sales to Israel and canceled a contract with a US firm to sell ammunition made in Quebec to the Israeli army.

Turkish warships and submarine

Analysis

What to make of Turkey’s ambitious naval buildup

As Turkey moves from regional primacy to a more prominent global role, it is working to strengthen its naval forces.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin welcomes Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman to the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on November 1, 2023. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

In military reshuffle, Saudi Arabia seeks efficiency, closing gap with regional rivals

Saudi Arabia has recently undertaken a significant reorganization of its top military leadership, with new senior appointments to the kingdom’s joint, land and naval forces — a step that could mark a pivotal shift in the country's defense strategy and domestic balance.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

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

Saudi Hawks

China, Russia, UAE make strong showing at Egypt International Airshow

China sent military aircraft to fly over the pyramids ahead of the event, which followed a joint naval exercise between Egypt and the People’s Republic.

Benjamin Netanyahu Congress

Netanyahu calls UK decision to halt arms export licenses to Israel 'shameful'

After the announcement by the British government of suspending 30 arms export licenses to Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accuses London of bolstering Hamas.