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
US hopes new sanctions fuel Iran protests The US administration said it hoped that renewed economic sanctions on Iran going into effect Tuesday will spur Iranian protests and pressure the regime to accept Donald Trump’s offer for talks. United States
Turkey remains defiant in row with US over pastor as deal falls through A possible deal to end the US-Turkish row over an American pastor detained in Izmir appears to have failed after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan heaped additional demands on an agreement. Turkey
Zarif says US primary goal is to ‘create chaos’ in Iran Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif believes Iran can weather the storm of US sanctions. United States
China set to fill vacuum left by French carmakers exiting Iran The exit of French automakers from Iran is leaving a vacuum that appears set to be filled by Chinese auto manufacturers. Iran
Turkey fumes over US sanctions, vows to retaliate The US sanctions may make the release of American pastor Andrew Brunson, who is at the heart of the current US-Turkey crisis, much harder for Ankara. Turkey
Trump makes good on threat to sanction Turkey The US president is sanctioning two top officials in hopes of pressuring Ankara to release a US pastor, with uncertain results. Turkey
Why is Europe underplaying its hand on Iran? In a twist, Washington appears more aware of Europe’s ability to impact US sanctions on Iran than Europeans themselves. United States
Is Russia a better fit than the EU to help relieve Iran from sanctions? While Iran would prefer EU help when it comes to relief from US sanctions, Moscow might be better suited to this role than Europeans. United States
Washington ratchets up sanctions threats against Turkey President Donald Trump threatened to impose sanctions on the same day the Senate advanced a bill restricting Turkey’s access to financial assistance. Turkey
Trump lashes out at Erdogan, threatens sanctions over Brunson The strain between Turkey and the United States hits another high point as the US president threatened Ankara with "large sanctions" if it does not free detained American pastor Andrew Brunson. Turkey
Will Iran, Russia step up energy cooperation to blunt US sanctions? Amid rising US pressure, Tehran and Moscow might be on the cusp of a new era of economic cooperation, particularly in the energy sector. Russia
Sanctions threaten Iran's dream of becoming Eurasian transport hub Lack of financing and the potential collapse of the nuclear deal threaten Iranian plans to complete the infrastructure necessary for the International North-South Transport Corridor. Regional
