Trump speaks with Netanyahu, Putin as Iran pressure campaign escalates President Donald Trump spoke by phone separately with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussing the situation in Iran and the possibility of extending the ceasefire. United States
Israel rejects Ukraine's claim that Russian shadow fleet vessel docked in Haifa Ukraine alleges the vessel unloaded wheat taken from occupied territories in Haifa, while Israel says ship had not entered the port. Israel
Iran FM meets Putin, Russia’s military intel chief as talks stall: What to know Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi headed to Russia following visits to Pakistan and Oman over the weekend as talks with Washington are at a standstill. Iran
Russia evacuates 160 staff from Iran's Bushehr plant: What to know The Kremlin says it is committed to maintaining energy cooperation with Iran amid strikes near the Bushehr nuclear power plant. Iran
Senate to grill Kerry on Russian war in Syria A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Oct. 26. Iraq
Could Egypt be key to political solution in Syria? The Russian air operation in Syria, the US suspension of its training program for new Syrian rebels and its rapprochement with Iran call for an Egyptian mediation to end the war in Syria. Saudi Arabia
How Turkey is planning for Assad-led transition in Syria Ankara, still blurry, now agrees to name Bashar al-Assad ‘honorary president’ for six months. Syria
How the Syrian regime forces are attacking opposition under Russian cover It seems the Syrian regime forces are trying to undermine the opposition’s presence on the Syrian coast, as they attacked the Free Syrian Army’s strongholds under a Russian air cover. Syria
Can Iraq meet US, Russia halfway? As political forces have called for Russia to intervene in Iraq, as it has in Syria, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has been cautious about what steps to take regarding Russia and the United States. Iraq
Ankara’s PYD headache There is little Turkey can do at this stage to prevent Kurdish advances in northern Syria as they receive munitions to battle the Islamic State. Syria
How Turkey is leveraging the Kurds By threatening Syrian Kurds, Turkey is settling accounts with its ally, the United States, and trade partner Russia. Syria
Is it time for a surge in Syria? A group of current and former US officials concludes that current US policy toward the Islamic State is not working, and that more needs to be done in both the diplomatic and military spheres to end the Syrian civil war. Iraq
Russia rising From its new international stage in Syria, Russia is examining its options to determine which could bring it closest to securing a place as a political powerhouse. Syria
Does Iran even want Russia in Syria? Despite the stepped-up Russian role in Syria, it is still not clear whether Iran views this development in a wholly positive light. Iraq
IS, Jabhat al-Nusra trace Afghan battle lines in face-off against Russia In Syria today, terrorist groups are applying lessons from the Afghanistan experience to their plans to counter Russia. Syria
Once-frosty Erdogan warms up to NATO Russia’s military intervention in Syria is forcing Turkey's president to acknowledge he needs NATO. Syria
