DefenceTalkA surprise deal to restore ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran will reverberate across and beyond the Middle East, analysts said Friday, touching everything from Yemen’s war to China’s regional engagement. The agreement calls for the long-time rivals “to resume diplomatic relations and reopen embassies and missions within two months”. It ends the rupture that […]https://www.defencetalk.com/made-in-china-saudi-iran-deal-goes-beyond-middle-east-say-analysts-79929/

DefenceTalkThe Israeli government on Sunday confirmed Major General Herzi Halevi, a former military intelligence head who led forces along the Gaza border, as the country’s next military chief. Halevi, 54, who serves as deputy to outgoing Chief of General Staff Aviv Kohavi, will take charge of Israel’s armed forces on January 17, Prime Minister Yair […]https://www.defencetalk.com/israel-names-herzi-halevi-as-next-army-chief-79539/

DefenceTalkIsrael on Sunday praised a US proposal to resolve the country’s maritime border dispute with Lebanon, building further momentum towards an agreement between two nations still technically at war. The draft agreement floated by US envoy Amos Hochstein aims to settle competing claims over offshore gas fields and was delivered to Lebanese and Israeli officials […]https://www.defencetalk.com/israel-praises-us-proposal-for-lebanon-maritime-border-deal-79463/

DefenceTalkAt least six pro-government fighters, including Syrian troops, were killed in Israeli air strikes Thursday targeting positions held by Iran-backed groups near the capital Damascus, a war monitor reported. It is the fourth time this month that Israeli strikes have been reported inside Syria, keeping up a campaign against pro-Iranian forces supporting the Damascus government […]https://www.defencetalk.com/israeli-strikes-kill-six-near-damascus-monitor-78082/

DefenceTalkUS Central Intelligence Agency chief William Burns was due in Israel Tuesday for talks on common foe Iran, as rising tensions overshadow talks on restoring a landmark nuclear deal. A spokesman for Prime Minister Naftali Bennett gave no details of the agenda for the CIA chief’s talks in Israel. But the Walla News website said […]

DefenceTalkPresident Joe Biden declared US relations with Iraq would enter a new phase with American troops exiting combat operations in the country by year-end as he held talks Monday with Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi. Amid the threat of an Islamic State resurgence and Iran’s powerful influence in Baghdad, Biden stressed that Washington remains “committed to […]

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkA top Iranian official Wednesday said arch-foe Israel was waging a “psychological war” after the Jewish state’s army said new “offensive options” were being drawn up in case they were needed against the Islamic republic. Mahmoud Vaezi, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s chief of staff, also vowed his country was ready and willing to defend itself. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-says-israel-waging-psychological-war-76695/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkThe US reversed a decision to bring an aircraft carrier home from the Gulf Sunday, with the Pentagon saying that due to “recent threats” by Iran the USS Nimitz would stay in position. The Nimitz has been patrolling Gulf waters since late November, but in a statement issued on December 31, acting US defense secretary […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-aircraft-carrier-to-stay-in-gulf-pentagon-76632/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkIran has nothing to gain from ending inspections of its nuclear facilities, the head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog warned as tensions rise after a top Iranian nuclear scientist was assassinated. In an interview with AFP after a year in office, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi issued the appeal in response to calls by Iranian […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-has-nothing-to-gain-from-halting-inspections-grossi-76566/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkRussian military vehicles and attack helicopters surrounded two US armored cars in a tense confrontation in northeastern Syria Wednesday, leaving US troops injured, according to the White House. Videos of the confrontation that were shared on Twitter, apparently taken by bystanders and the Russians themselves, appear to show the Russian troop carriers and helicopters trying […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-troops-injured-in-tense-confrontation-with-russians-in-syria-76211/