Joel Rayburn commits to helping lift Syria sanctions, boxing in Iranian influence In a hearing with Senate lawmakers, the White House’s pick to become the State Department’s top diplomat on the Middle East argued for capitalizing on Iran’s losses in Syria and Lebanon while stressing that the Islamic Republic should not have the ability to enrich uranium domestically. United States
Interview Syria’s central bank chief: US sanctions relief a ‘turning point’ Abdulkader Husrieh discusses how sanctions relief could impact Syria’s reintegration into the global financial system. Abdulkader Husrieh Syrian central bank governor
Analysis As Trump lands in UAE, tech and trade to dominate agenda, not defense The Emirati official said that the US' easing of sanctions on Syria is “the right thing to do,” but expressed concerns about stability and safety of minorities in the country. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Erdogan thanks Trump for ‘historic’ Syria decision during Sharaa meeting The Turkish president also said his country was ready to support Damascus in the fight against the Islamic State and in maintaining the security of ISIS camps. Turkey
Exclusive Syria's Sharaa pledges to form task force for missing Americans By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Iraqi Kurds throw lifeline to Iranian Kurds as sanctions begin to bite Iraqi Kurds, who remember the help they received from Iranian Kurds in the past, want to return the favor now that their brethren are suffering under US sanctions. Iraq
Russia, US looking for common ground on Syria US national security adviser John Bolton met in Geneva with Russian National Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev to outline the range of issues the two nations can jointly cooperate on. Syria
US sanctions cause big losses for Iraqi investors in Iran As the United States reactivates sanctions against Tehran, Iraqi investors in Iran are taking major economic hits and some businesses are being forced to close. Iraq
Russia, Turkey seek greater engagement amid US sanctions Russia plans to lift visa requirements for some Turks and to begin delivery of the S-400 missile-defense system to Turkey next year in an attempt to further sway Ankara away from the United States. Turkey
Congress ratchets up pressure on Trump, Russia over Syria President Donald Trump wants to work with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to remove Iran from Syria, but Congress remains skeptical. Syria
Iran-US conflict leaves Abadi in a dilemma By rectifying his statement on supporting US sanctions against Iran, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is balancing between the United States and Iran in Iraq to keep both sides as his supportive allies. Iraq
Khamenei says no talks with current US administration Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iran would not negotiate with the Trump administration. United States
Iran-Iraq tensions rise as Tehran demands war compensation Tensions between Baghdad and Tehran grow after Iraq's prime minister said his country would abide by US sanctions against Iran, while the latter demands compensation for damages in the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War. Iraq
Will Iraq comply with US-imposed Iran sanctions? Iraq is willing to abide by US sanctions against Iran, according to Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, yet pro-Iranian parties and militias slammed Abadi, calling for support for Iran against these sanctions. Iraq
US game plan on Iran written in Tel Aviv, claim Israeli insiders Israeli sources claim that the actions taken by the Donald Trump administration against the Iranian regime all originate in Tel Aviv. Israel
Brunson affair taking economic toll on Turkey A Turkish delegation has been dispatched to Washington to try to resolve the crisis swirling around the detention of American pastor Andrew Brunson in Izmir. Turkey
Despite its tough rhetoric, Turkey seeks way out of pastor impasse President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says there is no problem with Washington that can’t be solved by focusing on the strategic partnership. Turkey
