Russian delegation in Syria to preserve military bases: What to know Russian and Syrian military officials have held a series of reciprocal exchanges and visits in recent weeks, as the Kremlin continues to view Syria as a key military vantage point. Syria
Putin meets Iran’s top security official as Trump says Tehran wants deal President Donald Trump said on Friday that Iran is seeking a nuclear deal but declined to specify a timeline for negotiations. Iran
UAE President meets Putin in Russia to discuss nuclear energy, trade, Iran The visit of Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed comes a day after the Kremlin hosted President Ahmed al-Sharaa to discuss the future of Russian military bases in Syria. Russia
Sharaa, Putin meet in Moscow after Russia's abrupt pullout from Syria base Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s visit to Moscow, his second in four months, comes days after Russia began withdrawing its forces and evacuating equipment from its military base in northeast Syria. Syria
Analysis Turkey rebuffs air-defense criticism after drone shot down near Ankara By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Sudan remains open to naval base deal with Russia A top Sudanese general's weeklong visit to Moscow has raised the stakes for US officials pushing for democracy in Khartoum. North Africa
Will Russia turn to Syrian mercenaries for its Ukraine fight? Evidence is emerging that the Syrian government and its Russian military partners are recruiting Syrian fighters for potential deployment to the former Soviet state. Syria
Analysis The Takeaway: Ukraine war looms over Iran nuclear talks, energy markets More on the Ukraine War from Israel, Russia, Lebanon and Gaza; Nile Dam crisis escalates … all in less than 1,100 words. By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn , Joe Snell
Facing Western isolation over Ukraine, Russia looks to Mideast, Islamic world As sanctions against Russia continue to increase, Moscow will likely focus on states in the Islamic world and the Middle East for support — but even this window may be closing. Russia
Analysis Russian invasion of Ukraine scrambles Middle East diplomacy Update from Moscow; US calls on regional allies for support against Russian attack on Ukraine; some facts on Russia. By Week in Review
Russia voices support for new Libyan PM Moscow is throwing its support behind new Prime Minister Fathi Bashagha and its belief that he can "unite Libyan society." Russia
Russia's experience in Syria informs approach to Ukraine, NATO The opportunity to field-test its next-generation weapons systems in recent years has emboldened the Kremlin to raise the stakes in Ukraine, and so has experience in brinkmanship with Turkey over Syria. Syria
Belarus leader denies Russian claims about sending troops to Syria Belarus’ leader has said a Russian government document claiming an agreement with Moscow to send Belarusian troops to Syria is false. Syria
Russian invasion of Ukraine would spell more economic turbulence for Turkey War would bring Turkey under intense pressure from its Western allies to join putative sanctions against Russia, a critical trading partner and supplier of natural gas. Turkey
As Russia menaces Ukraine, Crimea's Tatars turn to Turkey Complex ties stretch across centuries and continents, but Turkey's affinity for its ethnic kin is taking a backseat to global relations with Russia. Turkey
Ankara reassures Moscow on eve of Erdogan’s Ukraine visit With its president set to visit Ukraine, Turkey has reassured Russia by reiterating its commitment for a key maritime treaty safeguarding Russia's rights in the Black Sea. Turkey
Crisis in Ukraine: the Middle East connections Also: Oman's foreign minister says dialogue is essential in dealing with Iran, Yemen and Syria; keeps focus on two-state solution. Turkey
