Arms trade – War Watch

Arms trade | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Foreign policy | Gaza | International trade | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Keir Starmer | Labour | Labour party leadership | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestine | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Politics | UK news

Pro-Palestine activists believe ‘sea change’ coming in Labour’s approach to Middle East
ByPatrick Wintour Diplomatic editor June 12, 2026

Green surge in local elections and recent polling of Labour members may cause government to toughen stance on IsraelUK politics live – latest updatesMiddle East crisis – live updatesPro-Palestine activists believe there could be a “sea change” in the L…

Read More Pro-Palestine activists believe ‘sea change’ coming in Labour’s approach to Middle East
Arms trade | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Europe | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Russia | Ukraine | US foreign policy | US military | US news | World news

Patriot missile shortage has created ‘window of vulnerability’ Russia is exploiting in Ukraine
ByPeter Beaumont Senior international correspondent June 2, 2026

Countries that rely on US-made air defence system feel increasingly exposed as interceptor supplies dwindle Russia is exploiting a critical global shortage of air defence interceptor missiles as it ramps up its airstrikes against Ukraine, amid warnings…

Read More Patriot missile shortage has created ‘window of vulnerability’ Russia is exploiting in Ukraine
Africa | Arms trade | China | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | Xi Jinping

Chinese Firms Plot Secret Arms Sales to Iran, U.S. Officials Say
ByJulian E. Barnes, Mark Mazzetti and Dustin Volz May 13, 2026

The effort involves plans to send weapons through other countries in an effort to hide the origins of the shipments.

Read More Chinese Firms Plot Secret Arms Sales to Iran, U.S. Officials Say
Arms trade | Bahrain | Defense Contracts | Defense Department | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kuwait | Middle East | Missiles and Missile Defense Systems | Trump, Donald J | United Arab Emirates | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

As Stockpiles Fall, U.S. Sells More Missiles Worth $17 Billion to Gulf Nations
ByEdward Wong May 7, 2026May 8, 2026

The United States and its partners have burned through an enormous amount of air defense missiles in the Iran war, and production is slow.

Read More As Stockpiles Fall, U.S. Sells More Missiles Worth $17 Billion to Gulf Nations
Arms trade | Defense and Military Forces | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kuwait | Middle East | Missiles and Missile Defense Systems | Qatar | Rubio, Marco | State Department | United Arab Emirates | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

U.S. Fast-Tracks Arms Deals Valued at $8.6 Billion to Mideast Partners
ByAaron Boxerman and Edward Wong May 2, 2026May 2, 2026

The Persian Gulf countries and Israel have faced repeated Iranian attacks during the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. The State Department move bypassed congressional review.

Read More U.S. Fast-Tracks Arms Deals Valued at $8.6 Billion to Mideast Partners
Arms trade | Defense Contracts | Defense Department | Federal Budget (US) | Hegseth, Pete | House Committee on Armed Services | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Missiles and Missile Defense Systems | Production | Senate Committee on Armed Services | Shortages | Stockpiling | Trump, Donald J | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Trump’s Plans to Boost Weapons Production Might Not Deliver for Years
ByHelene Cooper and Eric Schmitt April 30, 2026May 1, 2026

While the defense industry has announced plans to make more munitions, much of that expanded production will not quickly kick in.

Read More Trump’s Plans to Boost Weapons Production Might Not Deliver for Years
Activism | Arms trade | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Europe | Gaza | Germany | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza war | Israel–Iran War | Law | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestine | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Protest | World news

Pro-Palestine activists appear in court over attack on Israeli arms factory in Germany
ByKate Connolly in Berlin April 27, 2026April 27, 2026

Families say ‘Ulm 5’ have been detained under extreme prison conditions since arrest last SeptemberFive pro-Palestinian activists have appeared in court over an attack on an Israeli arms company in Germany, charged with causing approximately €1m of dam…

Read More Pro-Palestine activists appear in court over attack on Israeli arms factory in Germany
Arms trade | Democratic Party | Foreign Aid | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Sanders, Bernard | Senate | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Senate Blocks Bid to Cancel Arms Sales to Israel as Iran War Deepens Democratic Divide
ByMegan Mineiro April 16, 2026April 16, 2026

Concerns over the Iran war led several Democratic senators who had rejected past bids to curb weapons transfers to Israel to vote to block the sale of bulldozers and bombs.

Read More Senate Blocks Bid to Cancel Arms Sales to Israel as Iran War Deepens Democratic Divide
Arms trade | Australia news | Australian foreign policy | Australian Greens | Australian military | Australian politics | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | Mark Butler | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Tony Abbott | US-Israel war on Iran

Greens say Australia should step up pressure on Israel over ‘disastrous, illegal, immoral war’ on Lebanon
ByTom McIlroy and Krishani Dhanji April 10, 2026

Call comes on same day former prime minister Tony Abbott says Australia should send troops to fight alongside US forces in the Middle EastFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastT…

Read More Greens say Australia should step up pressure on Israel over ‘disastrous, illegal, immoral war’ on Lebanon
Antoine Kassis | Arms trade | Assad, Bashar al- | Colombia | Drug Abuse and Traffic | Drug Cartels | Hezbollah | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | National Liberation Army (Colombia) | Syria | Terrorism

After Sting Operation, Cousin of Bashar al-Assad Convicted in Arms for Drugs Deal
ByEphrat Livni April 2, 2026April 2, 2026

The cousin, Antoine Kassis, was found guilty of conspiracy to support a terrorist group, after trying to sell weapons from the fallen regime to a Colombian militia.

Read More After Sting Operation, Cousin of Bashar al-Assad Convicted in Arms for Drugs Deal