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

Iran nuclear talks at the Grand Hotel on April 15, 2021, in Vienna, Austria.

Analysis

Iran nuclear talks overcome Russian wrench in gears

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian’s Tuesday visit to Moscow could have played a part in Russia backing down from its original maximalist demands.

Mark Fitzpatrick

By Mark Fitzpatrick

Leonid Nevzlin, a former Russian oligarch.

As West ups sanctions on Russia's oligarchs, many maintain Israeli citizenship

Dozens of Russian oligarchs have obtained Israeli citizenship in recent years due to their Jewish heritage. Western sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could affect Israel’s relationships with the billionaires as well as its technology sector.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

A university student crosses the border from Ukraine by foot in Barabas, Hungary, on Feb. 28, 2022.

Returning Egyptians share nightmares of fleeing war in Ukraine

Egyptian students who fled the Russian war in Ukraine recount the details of their repatriation.

Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

How Erdogan could emerge stronger from war in Ukraine

Senior bureaucrats believe Erdogan will "wipe the opposition off the table" in next year's elections, excelling as he does in every major crisis.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (R) shakes hands with Hamas political director Khaled Meshaal before their meeting, Moscow, Russia, Feb. 27, 2007.

Hamas keeps quiet on Russian war in Ukraine

Hamas is keen on keeping mum about Russia’s war on Ukraine, following lessons learned from the Arab Spring.

A Palestinian employee works inside a wheat mill.

Egypt to see wheat imports resume from Ukraine, Russia

Egypt also banned wheat exports to protect its grain supply, which has been threatened by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Egypt is one of the largest wheat importers in the world.

Al-Monitor Staff

By Al-Monitor Staff

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (L) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shake hands.

Turkey, Germany extend call to Russia for cease-fire

During German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s first visit to Ankara, both leaders maintain that they want to help Ukraine defend itself while seeking a diplomatic solution.

A human chain is formed by workers from the civil society, humanitarian aid, and medical and rescue services.

Analysis

Ukraine war stirs fears Russia could weaponize Syria aid

As Russia wages war in Ukraine, concerns are mounting that Moscow will use its UN Security Council veto powers to dismantle what remains of cross-border aid operations into Syria.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Shlomi Amsalem/GPO

Israel vows country won’t become safe haven for sanctioned Russian oligarchs

Speaking at a press conference in Slovakia, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid stated that Russia won’t be able to bypass Western sanctions through Israel.

LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty Images

Putin says Moscow ready to use Mideast fighters in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has backed the idea of sending volunteer fighters to Ukraine, though there are good reasons for Moscow to refrain from bringing them in from Syria and elsewhere.

People who have just crossed from war-torn Ukraine into Poland wait to board buses provided by Polish authorities at the Medyka border crossing, Medyka, Poland, March 11, 2022.

Young Egyptian rescues Arab families trapped in Ukraine

Social media outlets were abuzz over the past few days with news about Islam al-Ashiri, an Egyptian man who rescued a number of families stuck in Kyiv following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Lebanese workers pack fruits and vegetables.

Lebanon seeks alternative wheat sources, bans some food exports amid war in Ukraine

Ukraine and Russia provide several Middle Eastern states with wheat, sunflower oil and more.