Analysis Why peace with Turkey has come to mean survival for Armenia’s Pashinyan As Yerevan edges closer to the West, regional power struggles and domestic unrest threaten to derail the Armenian leader’s strategy. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Putin hosts Iran’s FM as Tehran strikes US bases Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Moscow on Monday for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a day after US airstrikes hit three Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran
UAE's MBZ and Putin hold call as Gulf, Russia push diplomacy on Iran-Israel Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be courting Gulf support for a diplomatic role in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. Iran
Analysis Can Russia broker Iran-Israel deal as Putin looks to divert West from Ukraine? A mediating role between Tehran and Tel Aviv could help the Kremlin boost its credentials as well as turn attention away from ongoing war in Ukraine. By Kasia A. Houghton
Analysis Mi-26s and T-62s: What Russia's military backing of Haftar means for Libya By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Rouhani praises Putin, hails expanded ties with Russia Rouhani's expression of gratitude came a few weeks after his foreign minister was caught in a leaked audio, complaining about Russian attempts to put a spike in the wheel of the 2015 multilateral talks that culminated in the Iran nuclear deal. Iran
US, Turkey still far off on deal over Russian S-400 missiles Is any feasible deal on the S-400 deployment in Turkey in the works? Turkey
Iran and Russia sign visa waiver agreement The deal focuses on making it easier for large tourist groups to travel to Iran and Russia. News Brief
Will Syria come up in Biden-Putin summit? US pressing to maintain humanitarian corridors into Syria; Erdogan’s issues with US Syria policy; UN envoy refers to Syria’s "tragic irony." Russia
Meeting with Biden looms as critical test for Erdogan Turkey’s relationship with the United States poses the toughest test for Erdogan in the coming period, bound to sway both his foreign policy and political alliances at home. Turkey
Sudan puts Russia naval base deal under review A top military officer denied the review was connected to increased ties with the United States. Russia / Mideast
Turkey’s persistent watering down of anti-Russian language leaves NATO in bind Ankara defends its position on Moscow on the grounds that it has to manage its relationship with its powerful northeastern neighbor. Turkey
With ties with West strained, Turkey gets lifeline from Poland Drawing on his rapport with the Polish president and a landmark drone deal with Warsaw, Erdogan seems to be aiming at two goals — strengthening his hand in NATO and having a close ally within the European Union. Turkey
The Takeaway: US ties with Egypt loom large again Picking up the pieces in Gaza; the uneasy, uncertain peace between Israel and Hamas; PLO and Hamas still can’t find common ground; Russia on the diplomatic sidelines; desert kingdom looks to build forest; and more! Egypt
Turkey fails to convince Russia to lift flight ban Despite the efforts of Turkey's top-level delegation to Russia to get flights resumed between the two countries, Moscow has extended the ban. Turkey
Russia to build floating dock off Syrian coast Russia's repair shop in Tartus is working to build a floating dock, greatly expanding the capabilities of the military base. Syria
UN Security Council discusses concerns over spread of Libya's foreign fighters The killing of Chad's leader has ignited fears over the potential spread of violent mercenaries outside of Libya. North Africa