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
Turkey reaps rewards in international standing as first grain ship leaves Ukraine Turkey's diplomatic mediation between Ukraine and Russia could mitigate impact of global food crisis. Turkey
Why Iran-Russia relations likely won’t go beyond cooperation in Syria Putin’s recent trip to Tehran was a PR win for the Russian president, but is unlikely to result in any further concessions for Iran. Iran
Iran says US dollar officially ditched in trade with ally Russia The Islamic Republic took the step following the Russian president's meeting with Iran's leader in Tehran, where the two explored options on how to push back on international sanctions. Iran
Russia to invest $40 billion in Iran’s oil sector The news came during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Iran and may have been motivated by US sanctions. Iran
Erdogan, Putin set to meet in Tehran The Turkish, Iranian and Russian leaders are set to meet in Tehran next week amid lingering Turkish threats against Syrian Kurdish groups. Putin and Erdogan will separately discuss the Ukrainian grain crisis. Turkey
4 million Syrians on brink of starvation as UN aid mechanism draws to close Millions of Syrians are helplessly waiting in desperation as UN aid entry into Syria draws to an end amid expectations that Russia will veto a resolution authorizing cross-border aid into the war-torn country. Syria
Ukraine’s Turkey ambassador: strategic ties intact but public unhappy over Turkish stance on Russia Turkey's ambassador to Kyiv has been summoned to voice Ukraine's displeasure over its grain stolen by Russia and shipped to Turkish ports. Turkey
Turkey under pressure to crack down on Russian shipments of stolen Ukrainian grain Ukraine’s growing pressure on Turkey to act against Russian shipments of “stolen” Ukrainian grain highlights the importance of establishing a safe export corridor under UN auspices. Turkey
Egypt licenses first power unit at Dabaa nuclear power plant The Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority licensed the construction of the first power unit at the Dabaa nuclear power plant, in a step showing that the Russian-Egyptian venture has not been affected by Russia’s war on Ukraine and the ensuing sanctions imposed on Moscow. Egypt
Egypt plans to use ruble in trade with Russia Egypt and Russia seek to switch to local currencies in their trade transactions to overcome obstacles created by Western sanctions on Moscow over the Ukraine war. Egypt
Egypt participates in Russian economic forum Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi delivered a virtual speech at the opening session, stressing the need to find "effective solutions" to the global economic crisis. Egypt
Egypt looks for upsurge in tourists from sanctions-hit Russia Cairo and Moscow are holding talks to allow the Russian payment system MIR in Red Sea resorts. Egypt
