Dubai Air Show: Fewer top US officials, more Israelis and a new Russian fighter

Dubai Air Show: Fewer top US officials, more Israelis and a new Russian fighter
Dubai Air Show: Fewer top US officials, more Israelis and a new Russian fighter

“The world is opening up again, and that means there will be a surge in post-pandemic demand for military systems, likely driven by the Persian Gulf region,” said defense consultant Loren Thompson.

Persian Gulf Buildup By US, Israel Worries Region: ‘A Perfect Storm?’

Persian Gulf Buildup By US, Israel Worries Region: ‘A Perfect Storm?’
Persian Gulf Buildup By US, Israel Worries Region: ‘A Perfect Storm?’

Concerns of an imminent confrontation that could take place in the Mideast before Trump exits the White House next January 20 are increasing.

Years Of Intel Contacts Laid Foundation For UAE-Israel Deal

Years Of Intel Contacts Laid Foundation For UAE-Israel Deal
Years Of Intel Contacts Laid Foundation For UAE-Israel Deal

Mossad officials, retired Israeli officers, and cybersecurity experts were frequent visitors to the tiny Gulf state long before yesterday’s agreement to open official diplomatic ties.

Change US Escalation Calculus With Iran

Change US Escalation Calculus With Iran
Change US Escalation Calculus With Iran

We offer this opinion piece about increasing US responses to Iranian aggression just as President Trump has this morning “instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea.” Of course, we don’t know the crucial rules of engagement that will guide Navy…

China, Russia Press For Mideast Gains While US Talks Of Withdrawal

China, Russia Press For Mideast Gains While US Talks Of Withdrawal
China, Russia Press For Mideast Gains While US Talks Of Withdrawal

Moscow is making sure no one forgets the role it has played in the Middle East, while Beijing searches for inroads in a region President Trump has pledged to leave.

Iran Missiles Strike Iraqi Bases; Analysis: ‘War’ Unlikely

Iran Missiles Strike Iraqi Bases; Analysis: ‘War’ Unlikely
Iran Missiles Strike Iraqi Bases; Analysis: ‘War’ Unlikely

We asked some of Washington’s best informed and smartest people about the likely consequences of the killing of Iran’s Qassem Soleimani.

America Adrift: ‘Bringing The World To Crisis”

America Adrift: ‘Bringing The World To Crisis”
America Adrift: ‘Bringing The World To Crisis”

The Trump administration has watered down U.S. global leadership to coercive deal-making. The dangerous contours of a world in crisis are now coming into stark relief.

Israel Meets With UAE, Declares It’s Joining Persian Gulf Coalition

Israel Meets With UAE, Declares It’s Joining Persian Gulf Coalition
Israel Meets With UAE, Declares It’s Joining Persian Gulf Coalition

Foreign Minister Israel Katz told the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee about the agreement, and told lawmakers that Israel participates in intelligence and other areas where it can offer capabilities and advantages.

Mossad Director: Arabs Allying With Israel Vs. Iran

Mossad Director: Arabs Allying With Israel Vs. Iran
Mossad Director: Arabs Allying With Israel Vs. Iran

TEL AVIV: Even as Mideast tensions escalate, with new Israeli strikes on Syria over the weekend and Iran exceeding international limits on enriched uranium, no less a figure than the director of Mossad sees a historic opportunity for peace. Why? Because Iran’s escalating aggression — especially attacks on its neighbors’ economic lifeline, oil exports —…

US Wants Allies To Do More In Gulf; But They’re Already There

US Wants Allies To Do More In Gulf; But They’re Already There
US Wants Allies To Do More In Gulf; But They’re Already There

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wants to establish a 20-country coalition to protect commercial shipping in the Middle East. But the US already leads a 33-country coalition doing just that.

Over Past 24 Hours, US & Iran Each Claim To Narrowly Avoid Deadly Attacks

Over Past 24 Hours, US & Iran Each Claim To Narrowly Avoid Deadly Attacks
Over Past 24 Hours, US & Iran Each Claim To Narrowly Avoid Deadly Attacks

Both sides are claiming they stepped back from the edge over the past 24 hours, unwilling to see the loss of life. Tensions in the Gulf haven’t diminished however.

US: Iran Shoots Down Global Hawk; Second Drone Down This Month

US: Iran Shoots Down Global Hawk; Second Drone Down This Month
US: Iran Shoots Down Global Hawk; Second Drone Down This Month

The Global Hawk was downed after two earlier shots at US drones in the region, and attacks on commercial shipping.

Iranian Missile Misfires As Other Attacks Hit Home

Iranian Missile Misfires As Other Attacks Hit Home
Iranian Missile Misfires As Other Attacks Hit Home

Israeli sources expressed alarm that neither Israel, the US, nor allied Arab nations picked up any advance warning of what appear to have been well-planned, well-executed, and increasingly destructive attacks by Iranian and proxy forces.

UPDATED: Centcom Confirms Reaper Shoot Down, Says Iran And Houthis Fired At Drones

UPDATED: Centcom Confirms Reaper Shoot Down, Says Iran And Houthis Fired At Drones
UPDATED: Centcom Confirms Reaper Shoot Down, Says Iran And Houthis Fired At Drones

A day after two commercial tankers are hit in the Gulf of Oman, reports emerge the Houthis are firing — and hitting — US aircraft.