Analysis Algeria hails new $60B energy plan but price slump threatens reform push The OPEC member recently held its first oil and gas licensing round in a decade, attracting significant international interest and awarding five of six onshore blocks, signaling progress in its energy ambitions despite ongoing challenges. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis From flights to electricity grids, Turkey-Armenia ties slowly advance New confidence-building measures are set to roll out between Ankara and Yerevan as experts call on Turkey to do more to support the Armenian government. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Russia, Iran deepen nuclear cooperation with focus on small reactors Russia has moved to help Iran with its nuclear program as European states trigger snapback sanctions against the Islamic Republic. Iran
Iran, Russia, Central Asia states ink Caspian Sea pact, plan naval drills The navies of Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement on Wednesday, aimed at strengthening security in the Caspian Sea basin as the four countries deepen their relations. Iran
Analysis How far will China, Russia go in shielding Iran from UN sanctions? By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Why 'Putin's personal army' chief visited Turkey Viktor Zolotov, the head of Russian National Guard, also known as Vladimir Putin's personal army, paid a surprising visit to Turkey's capital. Turkey
Has Russia begun to play a role in Iraq? Russia seeks a presence in Iraq similar to its presence in Syria but through Russian companies and economic, industrial and commercial agreements signed between the two countries. Iraq
Intel: Why Turkey, Russia are not about to fall out over Idlib Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is accusing the Syrian government of seeking to “sabotage” Turkey’s relations with Russia with its assault on rebel-held Idlib. Syria
Congressional appropriators move to tie up F-35 deliveries to Turkey The new House foreign aid bill would prohibit spending federal dollars to transfer the jets unless Ankara abandons its plans to buy missile defenses from Moscow. Turkey
Turkey sticks to its guns on Russian missile-defense deal Despite the efforts of NATO heavy-hitter Jens Stoltenberg, Turkey seems to be moving closer to Russia and its S-400 air-defense system. Turkey
Intel: How Trump's 'maximum pressure' campaign is bringing Iran and Russia closer together Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif's long-planned visit to Moscow today quickly turned into a grievance-sharing session with his counterpart Sergey Lavrov about the Donald Trump administration. Russia
Is Erdogan’s trust in Trump in the S-400/F-35 standoff misplaced? Turkish government officials believe that if Trump was not hamstrung by Congress and the Pentagon, he and Erdogan would have solved this matter by now. Turkey
Israeli-Russians celebrate WWII Victory Day Israelis are not really aware of the heroism demonstrated by thousands of World War II veterans who immigrated to the country from Russia in the 1990s. Israel
Russia, Kuwait discuss common ground in regional conflicts Russia embraces yet another US ally in the Gulf as Moscow seeks partners for its "inclusive collective security architecture" in the Middle East. Legacy: Gulf
Intel: How Russia and Turkey are growing closer at US expense The April 30 phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan covered a broad range of topics, from trade to military cooperation to Syria, as the two countries continue to grow closer amid US-Turkey tensions. Syria
Russia consolidating its position in Iraq amid anti-Iran sanctions Russian and Iraqi officials convened in Baghdad for another bilateral commission session to discuss energy and security cooperation amid US anti-Iran sanctions. Iraq
