Amid the escalating U.S.-Israeli War on Iran and the continued strikes on Gulf countries that followed, the latter have turned toward Ukraine—a country exhausted by four years of war with Russia.

Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, punctuated by “Israel’s” September 9, 2025 aggression on Qatar, Iran turned toward Saudi Arabia in search of defense cooperation, raising fundamental questions about whether the two sides could move closer.

“Israel’s” recent aggression against Iran has sent shockwaves through the country’s top security institutions, exposing vulnerabilities in a leadership whose cohesion has been steadily eroding.

Immediately after Assad’s fall, the new authorities dissolved the old army and security services, abolished compulsory military service, and committed to forming a new professional force, primarily made up of opposition fighters and fresh volunteers.

Turkiye's recent arms deals and defense partnerships in West Africa are clear indicators of diplomatic expansion and Turkish influence, positioning it as a competitor to global powers.