Turkey’s Fidan heads to Moscow as S-400 sanctions issue returns to fore The visit comes weeks before Turkey hosts NATO leaders, on the sidelines of which Ankara hopes to reach a deal with Washington over CAATSA sanctions over its purchase of Russian S-400s. Turkey
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran says US strikes render April ceasefire ‘meaningless’ Fresh US strikes and Iranian retaliation deepen regional tensions, while Washington tightens sanctions, France pushes for a larger role in Lebanon, and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Russia in talks on 'reformatting' its military sites in Syria: What to know Moscow signals it wants to maintain its presence in Syria, where President Ahmed al-Sharaa recently said that Russian bases will be converted into training centers. Syria
Interview Armenia candidate Tatoyan eyes Pashinyan's pro-West mantle in sea of Russia-backed rivals In an interview from Yerevan, Armenian opposition candidate Arman Tatoyan denies pro-Russian ties and says he would deepen cooperation with the European Union and the United States while pursuing a gradual approach to relations with Moscow. Arman Tatoyan Founder, Wings of Unity Party
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Oil eases as Trump pauses Iran strikes By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Russia’s strategic vision for Israel Russia considers itself a potential major partner to Israel and a key player in bringing stabilization to the Middle East. Palestine
Erdogan caught between Trump, Putin in Syria war The Turkish government's spokesman says al-Bab will be the last stop of the Turkish army in Syria, while President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkish forces will march on to Raqqa. Syria
Why is Jordan shifting its Syria strategy? Jordan has joined the Astana process and is signaling a change in its position toward Damascus. Jordan
Turkey’s Euphrates Shield reaches critical juncture Will Turkish army advance to Raqqa, try to hold on to al-Bab or end the operation and go back to Turkey? Syria
What is Merkel's Mideast role in Trump-Putin era? Against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s nationalistic policies, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is being viewed by many as the new leader of the free world and a future key player in the Middle East. Palestine
Why Turkey’s approach to Syria may again push it to sidelines Diplomats fear that Ankara may have decided to play a reactive and obstructive role in the Syrian peace talks, rather than a positive and proactive one. Syria
How Russia's Muslims view Trump's anti-Islam stance Russia is home to 20 million Muslims, yet many officials and citizens are withholding judgment — at least publicly — on the US ban to keep out people from seven Muslim-majority countries. Russia
Can new Russian Consulate boost tourism in Egypt's Hurghada? The Egyptian tourism sector is looking to Russia to boost the industry after a major decline following a Russian plane crash in 2015. Egypt
Will Iran challenge Russian interests in European natural gas market? Iranian gas exports have been held back not only by sanctions, but also by Iran's lack of energy infrastructure and the country's domestic calculations. Russia
Is Erdogan’s Syria policy slipping through his fingers? Syrian Kurds may dash Turkish president’s expectations for US President Donald Trump. Syria
What the US stands to lose by alienating Morocco After Donald Trump's election, abrupt and extreme changes in US policy threaten its relationship with longtime ally Morocco. Morocco
Jordan eyes center stage in Russia’s anti-terrorism policy Jordan's King Abdullah, who visited Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last week and is in Washington this week, could become a key intermediary between Russia and the Trump administration. Jordan
