OPEC+ moves up meeting as oil prices continue to drop: What to know Saudi Arabia has signaled it is willing to live with lower oil prices as US President Donald Trump calls for more production. Saudi Arabia
Russia, Turkey to hold talks as Moscow seeks to keep Syria military bases: What to know The talks come after Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa reiterated his openness to negotiating with Moscow over the future of Russian military bases in Syria. Turkey
Iran, Russia, China envoys present joint front to Grossi on nuclear talks As the US-Iran nuclear negotiations progress, Iran, Russia and China presented a united front in a meeting with the international nuclear watchdog chief in Vienna. Iran
Oman’s sultan talks Iran-US nuclear mediation with Putin in first Russia visit Historically neutral Oman has been mediating between the United States and Iran, as Russia seeks to strengthen its ties with the Gulf state. Oman
Moscow looks to expand role in Mideast peace process Official Russian statements on the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas indicate Moscow is looking for a larger diplomatic role. Russia
Turkish-Russian ties marked more by rivalry than cooperation today President Recep Tayyip Erdogan believed Russia would provide him leverage against the United States and Europe after Turkey’s ties with the West took a nosedive. Turkey
Taliban, Assad continue to unite Russia, Iran While Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed ways to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal in his visit to Tehran this week, the topics of Syria and Afghanistan also featured prominently on the agenda. Russia
Russian FM’s visit to Egypt helps counter Erdogan’s regional moves Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's visit to Cairo is seen as a further cementing of increasing Russian-Egyptian ties and as a counterpoint to the Ukrainian president's visit to Turkey. Russia
US cooling could help Russia boost ties with Saudi Arabia While Moscow realizes that it cannot replace the US role in the region, it’s hoping a cooling of ties between Washington and Riyadh will help bolster its own influence. Russia / Mideast
The Takeaway: Israel: Deja vu, all over again Netanyahu barely holds on, for now, with prospect of a fifth election. Elsewhere: Hezbollah in Moscow; Egypt’s matriarchal village; Turkey’s tanking stock market; GCC digs out of COVID debt; scrolls found in Israel’s "cave of horror"; and more! Russia
Russian foreign minister’s visit aimed at challenging US influence in Gulf Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s recent visit to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar came amid uncertainty among these states about their future relations with the new US administration. Russia / Mideast
What's next for Russia’s relations with Hezbollah? A Hezbollah delegation visits Moscow, with Lebanese politics and stability and Syria's political future atop the agenda. Russia
Russia launches air campaign against Islamic State in Syrian desert Russian forces intensified their airstrikes against IS sites in Syria’s Badia with the aim of supporting the ground forces that failed to eliminate the organization or curb its spread. Syria
Israel's foreign minister continues anti-ICC campaign in Russia In his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi presented his stand against the International Criminal Court probe, a renewed Iran deal and the Iranian presence in Syria. Israel
Iran’s supreme leader authorized infowar campaign during US election Hezbollah and Russia also spread disinformation to try to influence the 2020 presidential election, a newly released US intelligence report says. Russia
Intel: US hinders Syria’s return ‘to normal,’ UAE foreign minister says Flanked by Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Abu Dhabi's top diplomat criticized the US-led campaign to economically isolate Syria under President Bashar al-Assad. United Arab Emirates
