Russia-Ukraine crisis

Iranians drive next to a billboard displaying pictures of nuclear scientists, centrifuges and a sentence reading in Farsi, "Science is the power," at the Enqelab Square in Tehran, on Aug. 29, 2025.

Iran rial hits record low 1.13M to dollar as UN snapback sanctions resume: What to know

The sanctions, which were trigged by the three European signatories to the nuclear deal, will not hinder Iranian oil exports to China, an official said.

US President Donald Trump (L) greets Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) upon his arrival at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 25, 2025.

From F-35s to Ukraine: Erdogan-Trump talks signal reset, but sanctions obstacles remain

The summit underscored both leaders’ personal chemistry while highlighting the limits of what the partnership can deliver.

A soldier of a UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) platoon of the U.S. Army 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, readies a Anduril Ghost-X helicopter surveillance drone for take-off during the Combined Resolve 25-1 military exercises at the Hohenfels Training Area in Bavaria on Feb. 3, 2025 near Hohenfels, Germany.

CENTCOM launches task force to drive Pentagon’s drone race

New unit aims to put "combat-credible" drone systems into the hands of US troops in the Middle East within 60 days, part of an ambitious new push by the Pentagon to leapfrog advances made by Washington's adversaries in fielding cheaply made but lethal armed drones.

DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images

As EU tries to wean off Russian gas, pipeline imports via Turkey rise

The European Union is importing more Russian gas via Turkey despite efforts to end imports from Russia.

Latest News

Russia, Iran in talks on construction of small nuclear plants: What to know

OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

As Trump plays Russia oil sanctions gambit, will Middle East profit or pay?

Oil tankers and cranes at Merchants Harbor, Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

UAE looks to boost Russia trade to $23B despite Trump tariff threats

GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/AFP via Getty Images

United Arab Emirates

UAE president heads to Russia to meet Putin as ties grow: What to know

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan (L) at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on October 20, 2024. (Photo by Artem Geodakyan / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ARTEM GEODAKYAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

United Arab Emirates

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Why Russia’s Vladimir Putin is rooting for Turkey’s Erdogan

Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s "pro-Russian tilt" has grown louder in recent weeks, as Vladimir Putin clearly looks for Erdogan to stay in power.

Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Border conflict breaks out between Armenia, Azerbaijan as Russia distracted by Ukraine

Azerbaijan’s close ally Turkey condemns Yerevan for escalation of conflict two years after a cease-fire.

Iranian drone in Ukraine

Ukraine says it shot down Iranian drone in Kharkiv

Photos posted online by Kyiv appear to confirm the Pentagon's claim that Iran has delivered armed drones to Russia for use in Ukraine.

Russia / Mideast

More hurdles could delay opening of Egypt’s new administrative capital

The resignations of two executives of the company managing the new administrative capital project in Cairo have raised questions about the project and its feasibility in light of the deteriorating economic situation in the country.

French President Emmanuel Macron (L) and Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune attend a signing ceremony in the pavilion of honor at Algiers airport, Algiers, Algeria, Aug. 27, 2022.

On visit to Algeria, France’s Macron advances post-colonial reconciliation

The presidents of France and Algeria signed Aug. 27 a pact for a new partnership between the two countries, announcing the setting up of a joint historian commission to explore the colonial period, alleged French crimes and the bloody eight-year independence war.

A photo taken on March 14, 2022, shows the logos of Visa, Mastercard and Russian Mir payment systems on bank cards in Moscow.

Iran, Russia use own currencies for trade

Saudi Arabia and India have also signaled moving away from the US dollar.

Uman Hasidim

Culture

Despite war, thousands of Israeli Hasidim make pilgrimage to Ukraine

Much like the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine won’t stop thousands of Hasidim from reaching the city of Uman and the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov just before the Jewish New Year.

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Turkey hopes to extend mediation role in Ukraine war after grain deal success

Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has said the agreement to ship Ukrainian foodstuffs could be a stepping stone toward peace.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres shake hands.

UN, Turkey and Ukraine discuss grain exports, nuclear safety 

Turkey and Ukraine sign a memorandum of understanding on reconstruction of Ukrainian infrastructure destroyed by war.

The flag of Iran is seen in front of the building of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Headquarters ahead of a press conference by Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, about the agency's monitoring of Iran's nuclear energy program on May 24, 2021 in Vienna, Austria. The IAEA has been in talks with Iran over extending the agency's monitoring program. Meanwhile Iranian and international representatives have been in talks in recent weeks in Vienna over reviving the JCPOA Iran nuclear deal.

Analysis

The Takeaway: Iran deal’s fate could again hinge on IAEA probe

Hamas sits out Gaza war; Israel pursues Islamic Jihad in West Bank; Gaza’s eroding beaches; Turkey’s Alevis fear attacks; Iran trains Russians on drones.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Andrew Parasiliti

By Elizabeth Hagedorn , Andrew Parasiliti

Israeli Prime Minister and Yesh Atid party leader Yair Lapid speaks during the party's opening election campaign rally ahead of Israel's general elections, Tel Aviv, Israel, Aug. 3, 2022.

Comparing Ukraine with Gaza, Russia accuses Israel of hypocrisy

Moscow argues that Prime Minister Yair Lapid cannot condemn Russia for alleged war crimes while attacking the Gaza Strip.

A handout picture provided by the Iranian army's official website on Sept. 11, 2020, shows an Iranian Simorgh drone carrying a weapon.

Iran trained Russians on using armed drones, US intel says

The Pentagon has warned Iran not to provide armed drones to Russia for use in Ukraine.

Russia / Mideast