First Syria delegation under Sharaa visits US, will attend IMF meetings: What to know Syria's new government faces the daunting task of rebuilding an economy shattered by war and burdened with debt, ongoing sanctions and reconstruction costs. Syria
From 2008 to today: Expectations and timeline of US-Iran talks The upcoming talks will be the most significant since negotiations broke down in 2022 and come in the wake of President Donald Trump threatening to bomb Iran if it does not agree to a new deal on its nuclear program. Iran
US sanctions Russia-based network for aiding Houthis as strikes continue The sanctions target several individuals based in Russia accused of assisting Houthi official Sa’id al-Jamal, who has been under US sanctions since 2021. Yemen
US sanctions UAE, China firms in crackdown on Iranian drone supplies The Justice Department also announced criminal charges against two Iranian nationals and an Iranian company over their alleged roles in the drone-procurement network. Iran
Feature Syria’s post-Assad economy falters as US stalls on sanctions relief By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
US sanctions network of Hezbollah businessman in Lebanon The Treasury Department designated Ahmad Jalal Reda Abdallah and several of his associates and companies based in Lebanon and Iraq. Lebanon
Analysis Lawmakers question Khashoggi Ban as Saudi prince visits US Reps. Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Penn.) want to know whether Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman is subject to the visa denial policy known as the "Khashoggi Ban." By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
US targets Islamic State financiers in Turkey, Syria, Indonesia The US hit five individuals with economic sanctions over aiding jihadi recruits via money transfer. United States
Egypt, Russia discuss next steps for nuclear power plant Despite the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and sanctions imposed on Moscow, a Russian delegation visited Egypt to inspect the construction work at the Dabaa nuclear plant. Egypt
Will sanctioned Russian oligarchs find haven in Egypt? Its current economic hardships may prompt Cairo to double down on investments with Russia. Egypt
Russia, Wagner Group expand ties with Sudan Sudan's military leaders have expanded ties with Russia since the invasion of Ukraine. Egypt
SWIFT cutoff leaves Egyptian students in Russia empty handed Russia's exclusion from global payments systems has prevented thousands of Egyptian students in the country from receiving money from their families back home. Egypt
Iran slams new US sanctions amid nuclear deal uncertainty The fresh sanctions targeted a network of Iranian firms over links to the Revolutionary Guards' missile program and came as an impasse in the nuclear deal talks drags on. Iran
Ukraine war boosts Erdogan's 'new Atlanticism,' but for how long? Turkey’s westward focus may complicate, or complement, Ankara’s previous priority of Eurasia. Turkey
Will Ukraine crisis help Turkey dodge Western arms embargoes? Drawing on the role of Turkish drones in bolstering Ukraine’s defense, Erdogan has urged NATO partners to lift restrictions on military sales to Turkey. But US sanctions remain a tough row to hoe. Turkey
Iran FM says IRGC sanctions 'red line' for Vienna talks Iran’s foreign minister has issued a clarification stating that sanctions on the IRGC must be removed before Tehran agrees to a new Iran deal in Vienna talks. Iran
Turkey, Netherlands patch up relations amid Ukraine crisis Arriving for a top-level visit in Ankara after years of tense relations, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte says he would like Turkey to join sanctions against Russia but understands Ankara’s unique position. Turkey
