Russian influence

A Russian Steregushchiy class corvette arrives at the port of the Sudanese city of Port Sudan, on March 18, 2021.

Analysis

Following Syria losses, Russia seeks to double down on Africa presence

Following Assad’s fall, Russia has been expanding its influence in Africa by securing a naval base in Sudan and increasing its military presence in Libya to maintain strategic access to the Mediterranean and Red seas.

Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In Exmouth, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds flowers next to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they meet at the Kremlin in Moscow on January 30, 2020. (Photo by MAXIM SHEMETOV / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MAXIM SHEMETOV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Will US-Russia rapprochement increase odds of Israel striking Iran?

Israeli leaders hope the thaw in relations will lead Moscow to stem strategic cooperation with Tehran, leaving Iran vulnerable to an attack on its nuclear facilities after a US green light.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

A general view shows docked ships at the harbor of the Sudanese city of Port Sudan, on April 27, 2021.

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

TOPSHOT - (L to R) US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud, National Security Advisor Mosaad bin Mohammad al-Aiban, the Russian president's foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov, and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attend a meeting together at Riyadh's Diriyah Palace on February 18, 2025. Top US and Russian diplomats were meeting in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for talks on res

US-Russia talks conclude in Saudi Arabia, most high-level meeting since 2023: What to know

The US State Department said one purpose of the talks was to “reestablish” bilateral relations with Russia as Saudi Arabia seeks to mediate between the two.

Latest News

In first, Turkmenistan to supply Turkey directly with gas: What to know

Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov takes part in the opening ceremony of the East-West pipeline.

Analysis

UAE's South Caucasus ambitions challenged by Georgia crisis: What to know

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed receives Irakli Kobakhidze, the prime minister of Georgia, in Abu Dhabi, on Jan. 25, 2025.

Rahim Rahimov

By Rahim Rahimov

In Baku, reporting on Middle East-Caucasus ties

Analysis

Libya braces for Trump 2.0: Navigating geopolitics, energy, Abraham Accords

Military personnel supervise the arrival of aid carried by an Ilyushin Il-76TD transport aircraft of the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations, for survivors of the floods that submerged Libya's eastern city of Derna at the airport of Benghazi on September 16, 2023. The floods washed thousands of people and homes out to sea after two upstream dams burst under the pressure of torrential rains triggered by the hurricane-strength storm "Daniel". (Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP) (Photo by KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Ge

Mohamed Eljarh

By Mohamed Eljarh

Syria’s new government ends Russian lease of Tartous port: What we know

OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian sign a strategic partnership treaty during a ceremony following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on Jan. 17, 2025.

Analysis

Iran-Russia deal signed: Does it secure Tehran's geopolitical interests?

Iran has long sought an alliance to protect it in the face of potential conflict with adversaries, but the text of the agreement falls short of obligating either party to provide military support in the event of foreign aggression.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin meets with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of an international forum "Interrelation of times and civilizations - basis of peace and development" in Ashgabat on Oct. 11, 2024.

Analysis

Iran, Russia to seal strategic partnership: What’s in it for Moscow?

Iran and Russia are set to bolster ties with a strategic pact, deepening cooperation in defense, trade, and counter-Western alliances.

Anton Mardasov

By Anton Mardasov

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan on Oct. 23, 2024.

Iran, Russia set to sign partnership deal: What we know

While the deal has been drafted with the stated goal of reshaping the trajectory of bilateral ties, questions remain over its regional implications, fueled by concerns in Iran over national interests being compromised.

TOPSHOT - A Syrian rebel fighter (C) looks on as he stands at an inspection checkpoint for incoming vehicles before a Russian flag and Russian soldiers behind manning the entrance of the Russian-leased Syrian military base of Hmeimim in Latakia province in western Syria on December 29, 2024. (Photo by AAREF WATAD / AFP) (Photo by AAREF WATAD/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Russia eyes Libya as military substitute for Syria? Not so fast, say Libyans

Despite its ambitions to relocate military assets from Syria to Libya following Assad's fall, Russia faces significant challenges in Libya's complex political landscape, limiting its ability to achieve this goal.

Mohamed Eljarh

By Mohamed Eljarh

VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel wary as Russia-Iran ties deepen, possibly involving nuclear program

Israel is closely following contacts between senior Iranian and Russian officials amid fears that in exchange for Iran's extensive assistance to Russia's war effort in Ukraine, Moscow will provide Iran with the technology to turn the enriched uranium into a nuclear warhead.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin meets with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of an international forum "Interrelation of times and civilizations - basis of peace and development" dedicated to the 300th anniversary of poet Magtymguly Fragi's birthday in Ashgabat on October 11, 2024. (Photo by Alexander SHCHERBAK / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ALEXANDER SHCHERBAK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

India-Europe corridor, trade top Russian delegation talks in Iran: What we know

The visit occurs at a pivotal moment for the evolving partnership and the challenges it faces under international sanctions and scrutiny, coupled with regional dynamics that have seen both sides in graver need of one another.

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin (L) speaks with Russia's energy giant Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller as they visit the Lakhta Centre skyscraper, the headquarters of Russian gas monopoly Gazprom in Saint Petersburg on June 5, 2024. (Photo by Kirill MOROZOV / POOL / AFP) (Photo by KIRILL MOROZOV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey, Hungary receive US sanctions waiver to pay Russia's Gazprombank

Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar says the exemption has been granted.

A Russian soldier stands next to submarines at the Russian naval base in the Syrian Mediterranean port of Tartous, on Sept. 26, 2019.

Analysis

Russia, reeling from Assad loss, delays decision on Syria naval presence till March

Russia’s military withdrawal from Syria marks a strategic shift, with diplomatic efforts now focused on retaining influence.

Anton Mardasov

By Anton Mardasov

A Syrian anti government fighter fires his rifle into the air in the streets of the west-central city of Hama on Dec. 5, 2024.

US on sidelines, Russia’s foothold tested as rebels take Syria’s Hama

The rebel blitz over the past week, alongside the collapse of Syrian army positions, has delivered the Islamist militants to the city of Hama and within 90 miles of strategic Russian bases on the Mediterranean Sea.

Jihadists drive on the international M5 highway in the area Zarbah which was taken over by anti-government fighters on November 29, 2024, as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadists and allied factions continue their offensive in Syria's northern Aleppo province against government forces.

Analysis

What's ahead for HTS as Syria, Russia strike back and Turkey plots next move?

The Syrian government claims to have repelled the HTS advance on Hama, but pro-rebel sources claim the opposite.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

In Paris, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a flower-laying ceremony at the Monument to Minin and Pozharsky on Red Square on the National Unity Day in Moscow on November 4, 2024. (Photo by Mikhail TERESHCHENKO / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MIKHAIL TERESHCHENKO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

With leverage in Syria, can Russia's Putin broker Israel-Lebanon deal?

Israel is considering accepting the Russian push for some sort of involvement in the talks or in the implementation of a deal with Hezbollah.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Iran, Russia link payment networks in bid to bypass sanctions

The financial partnership connects the national payment frameworks, aiming to boost trade and tourism between the two sanctioned nations — yet key challenges remain.