Analysis Wary of Turkey and Iran, Israel tightens ties with Russia: What to know Regional shifts, especially involving Iran, Syria and Turkey, are forcing Israel to reevaluate its complicated relations with Russia. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis Sudan, Russia reach 'understanding' on naval base but hurdles remain A naval base deal that has been more than five years in the making has gained renewed attention after statements from Sudan’s foreign minister while in Moscow. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Analysis France sees opening in Trump's USAID cuts to lead Syria humanitarian aid The Paris conference on Syria positions France at the forefront of international efforts to support the interim regime of Ahmed al-Sharaa. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Russia's Putin and Syria's Sharaa hold first call since Assad fall Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa and Russia’s Vladimir Putin held their first phone call on Wednesday in an uncertain time for the former allies. Syria
Analysis Russia eyes Libya as military substitute for Syria? Not so fast, say Libyans By Mohamed Eljarh
Turkey’s Fidan to visit Russia as Ukraine's grain deal, Syria talks stall Ankara’s efforts to revive the Black Sea grain deal and stalled high level talks between Ankara and Damascus are expected to be high on the agenda of the talks between top Russian and Turkish diplomats. Turkey
Prigozhin’s death spells end of Wagner, but Russia won't abandon its missions With the Wagner Group's top leadership reportedly dead in a likely assassination, Moscow is continuing to quietly replace the private mercenary outfit in its overseas operations. Syria
Wagner chief Prigozhin among passengers in fatal plane crash: Russian state media Russia’s grey-zone influence in the Middle East and Africa enters uncharted territory amid reports of the Wagner chief’s death. Russia / Mideast
Russian airstrikes target Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria The al-Qaeda offshoot is focused on defending its territory from Russian-backed Syrian government forces, but it has also clashed with the Islamic State recently. Syria
Explainer: What's going on between Russia and Turkey amid Black Sea escalation Ankara’s avoidance of a public confrontation with Moscow reflects its determination to maintain a balancing act between Russia and the West. Turkey
Turkey dismisses Assad’s tirade, says withdrawal from Syria 'unimaginable' now Turkey's defense minister says withdrawal of Turkish troops from Syria would be "unimaginable" before his country’s national security concerns are addressed. Turkey
Turkey-Syria reconciliation slips away as Assad bashes Erdogan The top diplomats of Syria and Turkey met in Moscow earlier this summer, but little substantial progress seems to have been made in their path toward reconciliation. Turkey
Syria's Assad 'wins big' in UN deal reviving aid to rebel-held northwest Aid deliveries will resume to opposition-held northwestern Syria after the United Nations and the Syrian government suddenly agreed to revive the humanitarian pipeline for six months. Syria
Blinken to Russia: Stop using food as 'weapon of war' in Ukraine, Syria Wheat prices in the Middle East have risen since Russia's abandonment of the grain deal last month. Syria
Russian fighter jet damages US drone over Syria US military officials say they don't quite know why Russian aircraft keep harassing US drones over Syria, but they're continuing to explore options to protect them. Syria
Top US general pumps brakes on sending more forces to confront Russia in Syria Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley suggested there's little the US can do to stop Russian fighter pilots' free rein over Syria's skies but warned American forces will defend themselves if they detect "hostile intent." Syria
US sends F-35s, Navy destroyer to Middle East amid aggressive moves by Russia, Iran The Pentagon is bolstering its defenses in the region as Congress presses the Biden administration to crack down on Iran's oil and gas exports. Iran
