Analysis Pragmatic politics: Why Turkey avoids blaming Russia for Black Sea attacks Beyond economics, Ankara’s approach is also shaped by maintaining its role as an indispensable mediator between the Kremlin and the West. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Putin offers to help end Iran war, but can Russia deliver? As Washington and Tehran weigh their next moves, Moscow is seeking a diplomatic foothold in a war where influence may prove harder to convert into concrete results. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Pezeshkian to meet Putin as Iran looks to Russia for support: What to know Russia has reportedly provided Iran with military materiel, intelligence and diplomatic backing during the war. Iran
Iran joins SCO drill as China resists direct intervention in US-Iran war An IRGC official said the exercise will focus on countering extremist activities and containing violent groups. Iran
Europe to sanction Iran drone companies for arming Russia in Ukraine President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen called on member states to adopt a 10th sanctions package against Russia that also includes a ban on Iranian companies. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Egypt's Shoukry holds talks with Lavrov in Russia, a day after meeting Blinken Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry delivered a message from the United States to his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on Russia's war in Ukraine, according to an Egyptian media report. Egypt
OPEC+ likely to maintain oil output at meeting, in gesture to US While the OPEC+ group is expected to maintain oil production at its virtual meeting set for Feb. 1, global demand for oil is estimated to reach a record high in 2023. Legacy: Gulf
US sanctions UAE-based aviation firm with ties to Russia’s Wagner Washington says UAE-based Kratol Aviation helped Wagner operations ship personnel and weapons to Libya, the Central African Republic and Mali. Legacy: Gulf
Iran leans on Russia, hopes for Sukhoi sale as EU pressure mounts Tehran is increasingly boosting its military ties with Moscow, hoping for Sukhoi sale, amid dim prospects for the revival of the nuclear deal and a wave of fresh sanctions over its crackdown on dissent at home. Iran
Turkey's intel chief visits Libya following trip by CIA head Turkey’s intelligence chief Hakan Fidan paid a visit to Libya only days after his American counterpart, William Burns, traveled to the conflict-torn country. Turkey
Russia to expand private militaries in broader Middle East amid staffing crisis As it wages a full-scale war in Ukraine, Russia wants to reform its army while being chronically short of security personnel, and increasingly dependent on mercenaries Russia
Iran says Ukraine failed to prove drone claims Tehran continued to dig in heels over deliveries of Iranian drones to Russia and accused Ukraine of making "baseless" claims. Iran
Turkey’s Russian-built nuclear plant could amplify Moscow’s regional influence Some experts are warning that Turkey’s first nuclear power plant, which is being built by Russia's Rosatom, might become a tool to advance Russian interests in the region. Turkey
Iran begins linking electricity with Russia Tehran is seeking help from neighboring states in part due to the impact of US sanctions on Iran’s power grid. Iran
Algeria forces Russia to make concessions As the war in Ukraine carries on, the list of problematic issues between Algeria and Moscow is growing. Russia
Egypt, Russia commence second phase of nuclear power plant construction Egypt is preparing to build the second unit of the Dabaa nuclear power plant about five months after establishing the first unit. Egypt
