Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin discussed increasing cooperation with the United States in the fields of counterterrorism, border security and transnational crime. In meetings with U.S. Ambassador Manuel Micaller in May 2024, Muhriddin proposed strengthening the two countries’ long-term security partnership. The diplomats also explored expanding business relations to promote greater economic stability in Tajikistan and the region. Tajikistan is party to the “C5+1” format — a diplomatic platform that includes the five Central Asian states and the U.S. This framework aims to address common security concerns and promote regional cooperation. Tajikistan and the U.S. expressed a desire to hold…
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In their ongoing battle against terrorism, Kazakh security forces received training on combating online extremism with the help of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security. The joint digital security training program in May 2024 engaged the Kazakh Law Enforcement Academy and the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan. As extremists increasingly use online platforms to spread their ideology and manipulate followers, the training helped law enforcement agencies use social media as an investigative tool to identify, track and disrupt extremist groups. This cooperation highlights the changing nature of security threats and the need for new methods to address them. “The…
Under the chairmanship of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, the 33rd Arab League Summit convened at the Sakhir Palace in Manama in May 2024. “The summit is being convened today amid extremely complex regional and international situations, devastating wars, heart-wrenching humanitarian crises, and threats targeting the identity, security, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of our nation [the Arab community],” Bahrain’s King said in his opening remarks. “With the continuation of these threats surrounding our Arab community, the magnitude of the responsibility placed on us to protect our common path and to open a new page…
Adhering to the principles and values promoted by its founder, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to be among leading nations responding to humanitarian crises caused by conflicts and natural disasters. In July 2024, the 18th convoy of wounded Gazan children, cancer patients and their companions arrived in Abu Dhabi for treatment at UAE hospitals. Planes began ferrying patients in batches from Gaza to the UAE in November 2023, fulfilling instructions from UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to supply treatment and health care to 1,000 wounded children…
Egypt’s Ministry of Defense and Military Production has announced significant progress in its ambitions to increase collaboration between the military and Egyptian industry. As of June 2024, the ministry had upgraded more than seven armaments factories, equipping them with state-of-the-art machinery and systems. These factories include the Armored Production and Repair Factory, Heliopolis Chemical Industries Company and Urea-Formaldehyde Company. To this end, the ministry requires foreign contractors to transfer technology and train Egyptian technicians so that components of imported equipment can be manufactured in Egypt. For example, when Egypt signed a contract with South Korean company Hanwha Defense to acquire…
Uzbekistan deepened military cooperation with the United States with the passage in May 2024 of an agreement to protect classified military information shared between its Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation between the two countries and improve Uzbekistan’s security and defense capabilities. It will facilitate the exchange of classified military information on relevant issues and provide a framework for Uzbekistan to receive military-technical assistance from the U.S. Ravshanbek Alimov, chairman of the Uzbek Senate Committee on International Relations, stressed the need for Uzbekistan to develop military cooperation with the U.S. and…
Given its long and porous borders with Iran and Syria, Iraq faces an unprecedented epidemic of illegal narcotics. In June 2024, a force from Baghdad Operations Command arrested 18 suspects on charges of drug trafficking and possession of weapons without permits. They were found with drones, unregistered vehicles, machine guns, other weapons and a variety of drugs. According to the Iraqi Anti-Narcotic General Authority (IANGA), crystal methamphetamine is the most widespread substance, taken by 37% of Iraqi drug users, while Captagon users constitute about 35% of drug users. “The Anti-Narcotic General Authority in the Ministry of Interior carried out, during…
To keep abreast of military advancements, His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman, Saudi Minister of Defense, in June 2024 launched a plan to transform the Saudi Armed Forces Command and Staff College (SAAFCSC) into the National Defense University (NDU). The plan is intended to lay the groundwork for the NDU to become, by 2030, a leading regional military university in preparing and qualifying military and civilian leaders in the fields of defense and national security. “This is the beginning of a new phase and a bright start toward a future of professional military education in the Kingdom,” said Lt.…
What began as a diplomatic dispute over possession of underwater gas reserves erupted into air, land and maritime assaults against an innocent country. But that country didn’t have to confront the swarm of drones, the barrage of missiles and the armed cross-border incursions solely with its own resources. In a collective action that called on the military strength of regional partners, the country repulsed and deflected the attacks through the combined efforts of multinational forces. Eagle Resolve 25, a military exercise hosted by Qatar in January 2025 to strengthen collective defense in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, was a…
MUAMMAR AL ERYANI, YEMENI MINISTER OF INFORMATION, CULTURE AND TOURISM The world faces a growing terrorist threat from the Iran-backed Houthi militia group, which is spreading chaos in the region as it attempts to expand its political and military influence by targeting global trade, energy supplies and the interests of major powers. The Yemeni government and countries in the region have been alerting the world about the threat the Houthi militia poses to peace and security in Yemen, the region and the world since its coup in 2014. However, these warnings were not taken seriously for years, until the world…