Defense Ministry

January 10, 2025 | Enia Krivine, Bradley Bowman

Israel Announces Plans for New Domestic Production of Air-Launched Munitions

Israel is creating an additional domestic production capacity for air-launched munitions and an associated raw materials plant after the Biden administration delayed the delivery of some munitions following...

December 23, 2024 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Can Syria’s New Leader Unite Armed Factions Into One Army? 

Syria’s new leader Ahmad al-Sharaa – who also uses the nom-de-guerre Abu Mohammad al Jolani — has pledged to dissolve existing armed factions and integrate their fighters into a newly formed...

December 20, 2024 | John Hardie |

Russia announces plans to form Unmanned Systems Forces

On Monday, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov unveiled plans to form a new military branch focused on unmanned systems. His announcement, which follows a similar Ukrainian move earlier...

December 20, 2024 | |

‘Slip of the Tongue’: Turkey Denies Ceasefire Deal with Kurds, as Erdogan Teases Expansionism

Turkey Denies Ceasefire With U.S.-Backed Syrian Forces: Turkey’s Defense Ministry denied on December 19 that it had agreed to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal with the Kurdish-led...

December 18, 2024 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Who will form the core of Jolani’s unified army?

Ahmad al Sharaa, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), commonly known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al Jolani, has unveiled a vision for post-Assad Syria. With HTS assuming control in the aftermath...

December 17, 2024 | |

‘The Factions Will be Dissolved’: Jolani Pushes to Disband Rebel and Pro-Assad Armed Groups in Syria

Al-Sharaa Pushes for Unity Amongst Rebel Factions: Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, better known by the nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, announced on December...

October 30, 2024 | Bradley Bowman |

How America benefits from its security partnership with Israel

Anyone who has spent time on a playground knows it is good to have friends when bullies come along. That also holds true in international relations. China, Russia, Iran and North Korea are...

October 29, 2024 | Joe Truzman |

UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura struck by Hezbollah rocket

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) stated on October 29 that a rocket struck its headquarters in Naqoura, southern Lebanon, and wounded peacekeepers. “This afternoon a rocket hit...

October 21, 2024 | |

Israel Strikes at Hezbollah’s Iran-Backed Banks in Lebanon

Hezbollah has stockpiled up to half a billion dollars in cash in a secret bunker under a Beirut hospital, Israel revealed on October 21. In a televised briefing, Israel Defense Forces...

September 24, 2024 | Sinan Ciddi, Sophia Epley

Why Is The U.S. So Keen To Get Turkey Back Into The F-35 Program?

Ankara has and is taking visible steps to decouple itself from upholding the values and security priorities of the NATO alliance.

September 16, 2024 | |

Israel SitRep: September 16, 2024

Today’s Issue: | Report: Northern Command Head Gordin Recommends Creation of Buffer Zone in Southern Lebanon | Defense Ministry and IDF: Re-equipping of 97 Civilian Security Squads in North Completed...

September 16, 2024 | |

Military Operation Needed to Stop Hezbollah’s Daily Attacks, Top IDF General Says

The head of Israel’s Northern Command is pushing for Israeli officials to act against Hezbollah threats by creating a buffer zone in southern Lebanon, The Times of Israel reported...

September 11, 2024 | Bradley Bowman |

Seeking Certainty in an Uncertain Middle East

As Americans remember this week the victims of the September 11, 2001, al-Qaeda terror attacks on our country and Israelis mark more than 11 months since the Hamas terror attack, it is worth taking stock...

September 3, 2024 | Ivana Stradner, Jason Jay Smart

Durov’s Arrest Is About Telegram as Russian Weapon, Not Free Speech

So-called free speech activists have jumped to defend Pavel Durov after his arrest, but they conveniently forget Russia’s weaponization of his Telegram platform.

August 26, 2024 | |

Israel SitRep: August 26, 2024

Today’s Issue: | IDF Preemptive Strike Disrupts Planned Hezbollah Retaliation for Fuad Shukr’s Death | Israeli Defense Official: Challenge in Lebanon ‘Far from Over’ | IDF Troops in Khan Younis...

August 12, 2024 | |

Israel SitRep: August 12, 2024

Today’s Issue: | Defense Minister Gallant Speaks With U.S. Defense Secretary Austin, Discusses ‘Operational And Strategic Coordination’ | Hezbollah Fires Some 30 Rockets at Western Galilee; Hezbollah...

August 9, 2024 | John Hardie |

Ukraine’s bold—and risky—gamble in Kursk

Now on its fourth day, Ukraine’s surprise offensive in Russia’s Kursk region is a daring gambit likely intended to divert Russian forces and snatch back the war’s momentum. But it also comes with...

August 9, 2024 | |

Israel SitRep: August 9, 2024

Today’s Issue: | Israeli Defense Minister Speaks with U.S. Defense Secretary Overnight | CENTCOM Commander Kurilla Visits Israel for Second Time This Week, Discusses Preparations for Addressing Threats...

July 28, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israel weighs response after Hezbollah rocket kills 12 young civilians

Israel’s security cabinet met on July 28 to weigh a response to a Hezbollah rocket that killed twelve children and teenagers on July 27 in the Golan town of Majdal Shams. The death toll is...

July 26, 2024 | Cameron McMillan, Ryan Brobst, Bradley Bowman

Russian and Chinese Strategic Bombers Patrol near Alaska

Russian and Chinese strategic bombers conducted a combined patrol near Alaska on Wednesday in the latest sign of military cooperation between the two U.S. adversaries. The incident underscores the determination...