Wagner chief Prigozhin among passengers in fatal plane crash: Russian state media Russia’s grey-zone influence in the Middle East and Africa enters uncharted territory amid reports of the Wagner chief’s death. Russia / Mideast
Egypt hosted US, China, Russia, France, UK nuclear talks The Cairo talks followed a February meeting in Dubai on nuclear non-proliferation as the Biden administration seeks to set new norms with Beijing and Moscow. Russia / Mideast
Iran is seeking billions in arms deals from Russia, White House says Moscow may send Iran fighter aircraft as Pentagon officials warn the tactical relationship could evolve into strategic cooperation. Russia / Mideast
Breaking | Last Updated: November 2, 2022, 3:39 pm US says North Korea shipping weapons to Russia via Middle East The White House said it will consult with allies on next steps, including at the United Nations. Russia / Mideast
Breaking Last Updated: October 21, 2022, 9:47 am Iran 'directly engaged' in Russia’s war in Ukraine, White House says Russia / Mideast
Does ‘Syrian trio’ of Russia, Iran and Turkey have a future? There are signs that the Astana talks on the Syrian war — which began in 2017 and are sponsored by Moscow, Ankara and Tehran — have little prospect of making progress going forward. Syria
US stands firm as Turkey proposes to ‘find solution’ over S-400 The State Department urged ally Ankara to get rid of the Russian air defense system Turkey
Iran, Russia, China to conduct joint naval exercise in Indian Ocean Russia continues to seek opportunities to expand its influence in the Middle East, the head of CENTCOM said Monday. Russia
Islamic State kills two dozen pro-regime fighters in Syria A firefight in the Deir ez-Zor desert is the latest sign of the Islamic State terror network's lingering presence. Syria
Russia seeks to outplay the US in Libya While Russia's preferred candidates lost in last week's vote for interim leadership in Libya, Moscow still has a strategy for reinforcing its influence in the country. Originals
What Navalny case says about Russia’s approach in Syria The case of Russia opposition figure Alexey Navalny — and the Kremlin's reaction to his investigations — tells a lot about Moscow's approach to the conflict in Syria. Syria
Egypt dodges Trump’s ire as White House orders massive last-minute aid cuts The outgoing president briefly sought to freeze all US military aid to Egypt over its purchase of Russian military hardware, but the White House revised the decision before notifying Congress, Al-Monitor's sources said. Egypt
Moscow stands to gain from Hamas-Damascus reconciliation While claims that Russia is playing a large role in reconciliation talks between the Palestinian movement Hamas and the Syrian regime may be overstated, Moscow could benefit in several ways if the two sides restore relations. Palestine
Russia treads lightly in Syrian deadlock Moscow is reacting with marked restraint to the escalation around Ain Issa, even seeming to play along with Ankara, though Turkey and the Syrian National Army have no reason to conduct offensive operations in the area. Syria
How Russia is preparing in Syria for Biden’s presidency Moscow is hoping the final months of outgoing President Donald Trump's presidency will allow it an opportunity to reinforce its positions in Syria. Syria
Intel: Russia sets up military positions in Syria’s Ain Issa after shelling from Turkish-controlled side The move follows Russian talks with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces Syria
Is Russia’s naval base in Sudan a signal to Turkey ... and Biden? Moscow is set to create a strategic foothold in Africa along vital shipping routes. Russia
