Analysis Turkey’s expanding military role in Somalia draws scrutiny amid federal rift Turkey’s expanding military footprint in Somalia is drawing criticism amid deepening federal-regional tensions, with Ankara denying it is taking sides. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Turkey, UK advance $11B Eurofighter jet deal with training agreement Britain and Turkey signed a training and support agreement marking “the next phase” of Ankara’s entry into the Eurofighter program, building on a £8 billion jet deal signed last year. Turkey
Analysis Iran war drives Turkey-Gulf defense alignment, but not alliance Despite accelerated cooperation as a result of the US-Israeli war on Iran, structural and political constraints would make a formal military alliance unlikely. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
How deployment of 4,000+ US Marines could change war in Iran Two flotillas bearing thousands of US Marines will give Trump more options to open the Strait of Hormuz, but deploying them to the Gulf will necessitate expanding a war that's already widely unpopular at home. Iran
Analysis India's Modi arrives in Israel as fears grow of US-Iran conflict By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis Amid Saudi-UAE rivalry, Turkey courts Riyadh without crossing Abu Dhabi By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Intel: US contracts Boeing to build new cruise missiles for Saudi Arabia, Qatar The US Navy awarded Boeing a nearly $2 billion contract Wednesday to provide Saudi Arabia with 650 new land attack cruise missiles, as well as to upgrade existing ones by the end of 2028. Saudi Arabia
Intel: How Turkey’s expulsion from F-35 program has hampered production A report by the US Government Accountability Office said Turkey’s expulsion from the F-35 program has complicated the Joint Strike Fighter’s already troubled production chain. Turkey
Intel: US approves $2.3 billion upgrade for 43 of Egypt’s Apache helicopters The US State Department approved a sale of $2.3 billion worth of equipment to refurbish 43 of Egypt’s Apache helicopters. Egypt
Is Turkish defense industry’s ‘success story’ turning sour? Growing investment in technology development is a promising sign for Turkey’s defense industry, but a series of structural problems that remain unresolved could damage the sector’s prospects. Turkey
How will Russia, China support Iran's military after UN arms ban ends? Moscow and Beijing could strike weapons deals with Tehran after the UN arms embargo expires later this year, but their anticipated support will face hurdles. Russia
Egypt boosts local weapons production Egypt has announced a plan to boost local manufacturing of weapons to boost the capacities of its army and with the ultimate aim to export them to Africa. Egypt
Report: Yemen’s Houthis now sporting deadlier drones Yemen's Houthis are using newer and deadlier drone models that discharge explosives and shrapnel, according to a report. Yemen
Intel: How Russia is helping Iraq build up its air defenses amid US-Iran escalation Following the latest hostilities between the United States and Iran inside Iraq, Baghdad has reportedly resumed negotiations with Moscow over reinforcing its air defenses. Iraq
Jordan plans to grab excess American weapons Jordan is planning to obtain excess US fighter jets and large transport planes, part of an ongoing counterterror effort in the Arab kingdom. Jordan
Turkey's defense industry sees rise of 'the president’s men' Decision-making power in Turkey's defense industry is shifting from the military to businessmen close to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Qatar
Turkey lobbies Congress against lifting Cyprus arms embargo as tensions mount Ankara is scrambling to keep Congress from lifting a three-decade arms embargo on Cyprus as US-Turkey tensions mount. Turkey
Intel: What’s behind Putin’s arms sale proposal to Saudis Putin's offer of defense missile systems for the Saudis was political but there's more to this in the runup to his visit to Riyadh. Saudi Arabia