iraq

Inside Turkey’s ASFAT and its push to become regional hub for military aircraft MRO

“Turkey is a very good choice for MRO, so we’re talking to them, and we are introducing our capability,” ASFAT CEO Mustafa Ilbas told Breaking Defense.

The future of Syria, Lebanon and geopolitical moves in the Middle East to come: 2025 preview

The new year brings much instability, and opportunity, to the region.

Russian bases and Hezbollah weapons: Key questions follow fall of Syrian regime

Experts told Breaking Defense their eyes were on key flashpoints that could affect the balance of power in the region for years to come, from the fate of Russian military bases in Syria to the potential collapse of an Iranian weapons pipeline to the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

From firing generals to limiting women in combat, Hegseth hints at possible Pentagon shakeup

"Any general that was involved ... in any of the DEI woke shit has got to go," Trump's pick for SecDef said in a recent podcast.

US announces coalition mission in Iraq to end by 2025, but US ‘not withdrawing’

"The United States and Iraq have decided on a two phase transition plan for operations in Iraq," a senior administration official told reporters today.

Iraq boosts air defenses with reported $2.8B deal for South Korean Cheongung-II

Iraq's defense chief said he considered the deal a “qualitative strategic breakthrough for [the country’s] air defense as it covers all Iraqi airspace and achieves the regional balance of the country.”

Iraq boosts helicopter fleet ahead of pending US troops withdrawal

Though he didn't expect a US drawdown to be imminent, analyst Ryan Bohl said that the "idea ... certainly adds urgency to the interest, especially as these helicopters are key parts of a comprehensive anti-terrorism fight."

At the NATO summit, a turbulent Middle East likely to stay in the background: Analysts

After years of fighting in the MENA, Southwest Asian regions, NATO’s priorities clearly lie elsewhere, experts told Breaking Defense.

After shooting down Iranian munitions, Jordan defiant in uncomfortable spotlight

Amid Iranian criticism, "Jordanian leaders have been very clear to portray their action as defensive and in protection of their own sovereignty rather than any act in support of Israel, and this is sincere," an analyst told Breaking Defense.

Washington’s security strategy in Iraq was deep-frozen. This week might bring an overdue thaw.

In this new analysis, Jonathan Lord of the Center for a New American Security says this week should provide a starting point to reassess US military funding for Iraq.

If not fighter jets, what are Iraq’s defense procurement priorities?

"For Iraq's military... these are prestige items more than a security necessity," CSIS's Daniel Byman told Breaking Defense of the fighter jet rumors, saying Baghdad has "less glamorous" priorities.

Lebanese navy kicks off maritime Resolute Union drill, with US advisors and new participants

The drill won't include US naval assets, but American trainers are on hand to advise the Lebanon-led exercise series.

Iraq says its spending big on artillery and jets. Can it afford them?

The government in Baghdad has announced new contracts for US-made weapons, but it's not clear if the system will ever come to fruition.

With missile attack and alleged espionage, Israel-Iran ‘shadow war’ slips into the open

As a new nuclear deal appears close, provocations between two Middle Eastern foes abound.