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
Russia to establish naval base in Sudan The combat capability of the Russian navy in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean would be significantly increased with a military base on Sudan’s Red Sea coast. Russia
Who really won in south Caucasus? While the conventional wisdom is that Russia allowed Turkey to soften Armenia for the kill, then swooped in and imposed its own terms, talk of Russia’s big win may be somewhat overstated. Turkey
Russia, Iraq face OPEC+ cuts, look to new deals While Iraq's dependence on imported Iranian electricity continues to worry Washington, the key to breaking this energy dependence lies in the development of its own gas fields. Iraq
Are attacks on Syrian opposition signal from Moscow to Ankara? As Turkey conducts simultaneous campaigns in different theaters — including assistance to Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict — Moscow must be tempted to exploit the turbulence to extract concessions from Ankara. Syria
Can Russia return to Iranian arms market following end of weapons embargo? With the end of the UN arms embargo, Iran could be looking to purchase new additions to its defense system — could Russia become a main supplier again? Saudi Arabia
Can Russia benefit from Turkey-Greece spat? In light of the conflict in the eastern Mediterranean between Turkey and Greece, Russia may be looking to strengthen its ties with Greece in order to further its interests in the region. Russia
Intel: EU sanctions suspected head of Russia’s Wagner paramilitary group Kremlin insider Yevgeny Prigozhin is suspected of involvement in Wagner's paramilitary activities in Libya Libya
Will Russia recruit Syrian Kurds to fight in Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict? While Russia will likely avoid direct involvement in the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, there are signs it could draw lessons from Libya and recruit fighters from Syria to do its bidding. Syria
Egypt, Russia to hold joint naval drills in Black Sea, Moscow says Exercise Friendship Bridge 2020 will involve aircraft and ship-based artillery, Russia's Defense Ministry said Egypt
Intel: Turkish F-16s spotted on runway in Azerbaijan The discovery follows Armenia's allegation that Ankara has introduced combat aircraft into the Caucasus war. Turkey
Russia's outreach to Syrian Kurds highlights dual-track approach While Russia blames the United States for adding fuel to the fire of Kurdish separatism, it calls on the Syrian Kurds to lay the groundwork for constitutional reform, so as to contain conflict in the territories over which Damascus has long lost control. Syria
Intel: Turkey to test Russian S-400 air defense system amid tensions in NATO NATO's secretary-general urged Turkey on Monday to seek alternatives to the Russian system, but Turkey plans to test-fire the S-400 this month. Turkey