Analysis RSF turns to drones, new fronts as Sudan battlefield pressure grows A wave of RSF drone attacks reflects the group fighting back, but it also points to limited supply lines and difficulty mounting ground offensives beyond its territorial strongholds. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Analysis How Israel's rivalry, defense deals prompted Turkey to join Mecca pact Turkey’s growing rivalry with Israel and mounting regional instability are driving its defense alignment with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, despite risks of strategic entanglement and friction with NATO partners. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Explainer Who is Iran’s Mohsen Rezaei, hard-line IRGC veteran appointed to top security post? Mohsen Rezaei's appointment comes as Iran navigates a fragile halt in hostilities with the US and negotiations over reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran
Turkey’s Erdogan heads to Saudi Arabia for talks with MBS, Pakistan’s Sharif The visit comes as the three countries ramp up coordination to weather the regional fallout from the Iran war. Turkey
Analysis As Turkey eyes US naval revival, here is why big warship deals are unlikely By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis From S-400s to SAMP/T: Turkey’s defense pivot gathers pace after NATO summit By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
In troubled US-Turkey relations, F-16 deal seen as path for dialogue US President Joe Biden and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Sunday to discuss an F-16 fighter jet purchase, which analysts see as an avenue for “positive” dialogue amid bilateral tensions. Turkey
Ukraine uses Turkish drone for first time against pro-Russian forces Turkey's ties with Ukraine have complicated relations with Russia. News Brief
Drone sale to Ethiopia could jeopardize Turkey-Egypt dialogue Turkey risks derailing normalization talks with Egypt by selling armed drones to Ethiopia, in addition to coming under international fire should Ethiopia use the drones in the conflict in Tigray. Turkey
Iraq seeks to attach strings to arms purchases from Turkey Talks on the sale of Turkish armed drones and combat helicopters to Iraq have hit snags amid Iraqi efforts to extract concessions on contentious issues in bilateral ties. Turkey
Biden move on Egypt aid slammed by human rights groups The Biden administration is reportedly releasing some of the military aid that Congress had conditioned on Egypt making human rights improvements. Egypt
Why Serbia wants to buy SPIKE missiles from Israel While prospects for actual conflict use are slim, Belgrade hopes that by buying Israeli weapons it can alleviate some of the pressure it may face from Washington over Kosovo and ties with Russia and China. Israel
Erdogan heralds massive military complex to coordinate military, security agencies A planned joint complex to house Turkey’s top military bodies is touted as a move to enhance the army’s coordination and interoperability, but political and economic motivations also lurk behind the project. Turkey
Iran tests defensive missile system The military exercise was the first since President Ebrahim Raisi took office. News Brief
Turkey to host international defense fair Some of the companies that will present weapons at the fair are from countries Turkey has difficult relations with. Turkey
Egypt, Algeria find common ground on Libyan crisis Egypt and Algeria have been at odds over how to deal with the situation in Libya, but that may be changing. Egypt
Russia tries to compete with US in Mideast weapons market Russia's prospects in the Middle East arms market will depend on its ability to master fast production of the latest models of military equipment. Russia
Erdogan tells Biden Turkey won't change position on S-400s Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reportedly told his US counterpart that Ankara won't soften its stance on the Russian S-400 missile systems despite sanctions imposed by Washington over the purchase. Turkey
