Defense Ministry

January 21, 2026 | Seth J. Frantzman |

US withdraws from Iraqi airbase, transfers Islamic State detainees from Syria to Iraq

US forces left Iraq’s Ain al Assad Airbase in Iraq’s Al Anbar Governorate, according to Iraq’s Defense Ministry, CNN reported on January 19. The redeployment of forces away from the large...

December 18, 2025 | |

Trump Administration Approves Massive Arms Sale Package to Taiwan

Bolstering Defense Against China: The Trump administration approved the possible sale of more than $10 billion worth of arms to Taiwan to bolster the island’s defenses against...

October 24, 2025 | John Hardie |

Russia announces plan to muster reservists to combat Ukrainian drones

Moscow intends to use a new draft law to muster reservists to help protect critical infrastructure from drones, the Russian military announced on October 22. This measure comes in response to a Ukrainian...

October 23, 2025 | Bill Roggio, Bridget Toomey

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula kills 4 Yemeni soldiers in complex suicide assault

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) attacked the headquarters of the 1st Support and Reinforcement Brigade in Abyan, a southern coastal governorate in Yemen, on October 21. The complex suicide...

October 17, 2025 | |

Kurdish-Led SDF Reportedly Reaches Agreement to Merge With Syrian Armed Forces

Integration Agreement Reached: The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the main military force in northeastern Syria, has agreed in principle to integrate into the Syrian...

October 17, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

SDF moves forward with integration into new Syrian security forces

The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) based in eastern Syria are taking steps to integrate into the security forces led by the Syrian transitional government in Damascus. “The Syrian government...

October 12, 2025 | Bill Roggio |

Afghan Taliban, Pakistani military clash along the border

The Afghan Taliban and the Pakistani military skirmished along their joint border overnight after the Taliban launched a “retaliatory operation” for the Pakistani Air Force targeting the head of the...

September 30, 2025 | Carey Abramson, David Adesnik

The New Syrian Regime’s Dilemma

On September 24, Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara’a addressed the UN General Assembly in New York, where he is still on the UN sanctions list for his leadership of an al-Qa’ida affiliate (though...

September 5, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Profiles of militias in newly formed Druze national guard in Suwayda, Syria

On August 23, armed factions in the Suwayda province, Syria announced the formation of a national guard under the leadership of the Druze spiritual leader Hikmat al Hijri, the most prominent...

August 21, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

For the First Time in 25 Years, Syria Acknowledges Direct Talks With Israel

Israel and Syria are talking — and for once, no one is denying it. Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani met with an Israeli delegation in Paris on August 19, the Syria’s official news agency announced....

August 15, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

UN Report Ties New Syrian Army to Coastal Massacres

The Syrian coastal massacres in March marked one of the deadliest violent episodes since the downfall of the Assad regime. An August 11 report by the United Nations’ Independent International Commission...

August 14, 2025 | |

Turkey Signs Military Accord With Syrian Government

Latest Developments Military Memorandum Signed: Turkey’s Ministry of Defense has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Syria for the training of Syrian troops and military...

July 24, 2025 | Sinan Ciddi |

Erdogan and Shara’s “Sunnification” Project

The recent sectarian violence shows that the Syrian government and its Turkish backers share a dangerous vision of a Sunni-dominant state.

July 22, 2025 | |

Romania Set to Purchase Israeli Air Defense Systems for $2.3 Billion

Romania Pens Deal With Israel Defense Manufacturer: Romania’s Ministry of National Defense announced on July 21 that the country had signed a framework agreement to purchase Israeli-produced...

July 18, 2025 | |

Israel to Increase Defense Budget by $12.5 Billion Amid Multifront War

Defense Budget Increase: Israel will increase its defense spending by $12.5 billion, according to an announcement from the country’s ministries of finance and defense. The supplement...

July 16, 2025 | |

Katz, Hegseth to Discuss Iran Post-War as Israeli Defense Delegation Heads to U.S.

First U.S. Visit for Defense Minister: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz is traveling to Washington, where he will meet his U.S. counterpart, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth,...

July 16, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israel intensifies airstrikes on Syria to deter attacks on Druze

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted strikes near the Syrian Presidential Palace and targeting the Syrian government’s military headquarters in Damascus, the Israeli military said on July...

June 20, 2025 | Janatan Sayeh |

Israel reportedly eliminates nuclear scientist, expands messaging campaign (June 20 updates)

Israel expanded its campaign against Iran with strikes on Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sites, missile infrastructure, and nuclear-linked facilities, reportedly killing a nuclear scientist in...

June 18, 2025 | Janatan Sayeh |

Israel strikes Tehran police HQ, hacks live broadcast (June 18 updates)

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June 14, 2025 | |

‘From Western Iran To Tehran:’ Israel Claims Air Superiority Over Iranian Skies as it Braces For Further Retaliation

Israel Claims Control of Iranian Airspace: The IDF announced on June 14 that it had established air superiority “from western Iran to Tehran,” after an overnight operation...