New deal reduces Russia’s military presence in Syria: What to know Under a deal announced by Syria, Russia’s military facilities would be turned into joint training centers. Syria
Russia names Dmitry Dogadkin new ambassador to Syria amid thaw: What to know The appointment of the new ambassador, who previously served as Russia’s envoy to Qatar, comes as Moscow recalibrates its ties with the new Syrian authorities to maintain its strategic foothold in the Mediterranean country. Syria
Iran signs 25 deals at SCO meeting: What to know Iran's foreign minister urged members of the China and Russia-led bloc to focus more on economic development, while host Kyrgyzstan said progress was a made toward an SCO development blank. Iran
Feature Armenia's Pashinyan keeps Iran close while wooing Trump, Turkey and Azerbaijan As Yerevan pursues normalization with Turkey and Azerbaijan and backs a US-led transport corridor, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is working to reassure an increasingly assertive Iran that its interests won't be threatened. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
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. Turkey
Egypt to adopt Russian Mir payment system to encourage tourism, trade exchange Russian tourists and companies will be allowed to pay through the Russian Mir system in Egypt ahead of the winter season, which Cairo is hoping will boost its tourism sector. Egypt
Iran, Russia use own currencies for trade Saudi Arabia and India have also signaled moving away from the US dollar. Iran
'Normalization' with Assad is the new normal in Turkey Comments by Turkey's foreign minister hinting at normalization with Damascus drove hundreds of Syrians across Turkish-occupied areas of northern Syria to stage demonstrations. Turkey
Turkey makes peace bid with Chechen leader As Ankara finesses relations with Moscow, top Turkish officials have quietly met with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov after years of chill marked by a string of murders of Chechen exiles in Turkey. Turkey
Russia offers Erdogan economic lifeline Gas payments in rubles will help Turkey reduce its foreign-currency demand. Turkey
US approves Sweden, Finland NATO bid as Turkey warns of conditions Turkey's President Erdogan warned again this week that his government would block the two Nordic countries' bid to join NATO unless they take action against Kurdish leftist groups. Washington Pulse
At summit, Erdogan, Putin still divided on Syria Ankara agreed that part of its natural gas payments to Moscow would be switched to rubles. Turkey
Russia eyes Port Sudan as key naval hub Russia-Sudan ties have deepened since the October 2021 military takeover in Sudan and the Russia-Ukraine war. North Africa
Russian Orthodox Church builds on links with Egyptian Copts Egypt's Giza governorate now hosts an administrative and spiritual center for the Russian Orthodox Church. Egypt
Erdogan hopes Putin summit will greenlight Turkey's new Syria operation Ankara’s central role in facilitating the Russia-Ukraine grain deal could strengthen its hand in securing Moscow’s acceptance of a Turkish military incursion. Turkey
OPEC+ agrees to small oil production increase US President Joe Biden may have been hoping for a larger boost in production. Legacy: Gulf
