Hezbollah, Houthis downing of drones challenges Israel, US air superiority
“Israel and the United States will need to gradually adjust their operating procedures,” said Bruce Bennett, senior adjunct international defense researcher at RAND Corporation. RIAD KAHWAJI DUBAI — A series…
As US Navy bats down Red Sea ‘threats,’ analysts see years-old security problem
Riad Kahwaji “The Houthi disruptive capability… is not a new phenomenon,” one expert told Breaking Defense. The American guided missile destroyer USS Mason on Wednesday shot down a drone that a US…
The Israeli Gaza campaign: High expectations, big risks and bleak outcomes
Riad Kahwaji Analysts say there are three overarching questions: Whether Israel’s goal of eliminating Hamas is realistic, whether another front in the war will explode, and what the long-term regional…
In nuclear push, Saudi Arabia could play US, China off each other
Riad Kahwaji Saudi Arabia is making a push for nuclear power as part of any US-brokered pact with Israel – and Riyadh won’t be shy about seeking what it wants.…
Would US Marines on merchant ships be enough to deter Iran in the Gulf?
Riad Kahwaji The US is bolstering its presence in the Gulf waters, with US Central Command announcing on July 20 that an amphibious ready group, along with some 3,000 sailors and Marines…
Non-US firms are winning big deals in the Gulf. Can Washington reverse the trend?
Riad Kahwaji Over the last four years there has been a clear shift in the Gulf towards buying non-American major defense articles. But regional defense experts do not believe there…