Riad Kahwaji brings vast experience and reporting contacts in the Middle East. He has 32 years of experience as a journalist and Middle East security analyst. Kahwaji served as Middle East bureau chief for Defense News for eight years. with prior work at Jane’s defense group and the BBC World Service. Riad has authored two books in Arabic: “Air Power and Future Wars” in 2020; and “The Basis of the Lebanese Defense Strategy” in 2009. He is founder of SEGMA, the premier defense conference organizer in the Middle East. Riad earned his M.A. in War Studies from King’s College, London. He is based in Dubai and has offices in Lebanon.
DUBAI: The year 2022 was supposed to be the year the Kuwait Air Force took almost full delivery of two long-awaited platforms that would double its size and multiply its capabilities. However, delays caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic have pushed the delivery and operationalization schedule to 2023 — which may end up a blessing […]
The UAE's plans to buy the F-35 now seem rocky, with the Emiratis threatening to pull out of the agreement.
On today’s battlefield, mobility isn’t optional - it’s mission-critical.
Terrorist groups have evolved in the past two decades, some growing powerful enough that they are now seeking to transform into political actors.
America’s allies in the Middle East are weighing options to avoid meeting the fate of the Afghani government, as regional scholars talk of the post Pax Americana era.
As Qatar awaits permission from Paris to base Rafales and Mirages in Turkey, it grapples with the challenge of finding manpower and training them to use dozens of planes it has purchased.
While U.S. increases FMF to $120-million, France prepares international conference to assist the Lebanese Armed Forces whose budget was wiped out by collapse of country’s economy.
Partnerships with outside industry are a cornerstone of the kingdom’s ambitious growth strategy.
Egypt’s geo-strategic location and status as largest Arab power makes it a vital partner to the U.S. military, even with Egyptian diversification policy that includes acquiring Russian jets.
A record number of ballistic missile and drone attacks have tested Saudi air defense capabilities. They've succeeded admirably but at a high cost.
The United Arab Emirates is thinking forward on how its military forces can access assured electrical power in the battlespace
While the UAE government was silent on the Biden Administration's pause on arms sales, social media reaction was harsh.
Balancing security and access to data are critical to providing users with trustworthy, reliable data for real-time decisions.
As the United Arab Emirates (UAE) enhances the situational awareness capabilities of its army, other Arab Gulf States are also seeking to provide their land forces with state-of-the-art systems to keep their troops well informed of their operating environment and increase their lethality on the battlefield.
U.S.-UAE relations witnessed big leaps under Trump. Will ties remain as strong under Biden and see F-35 deal executed?
Concerns of an imminent confrontation that could take place in the Mideast before Trump exits the White House next January 20 are increasing.
Arab Gulf States must improve ISR, EW capabilities and extend their early warning range and enhance systems' integration to counter Iran's ballistic missile threat