Russia-Turkey rapprochement has limits

Russia and Turkey have made strides in improving their ties, but the relationship is going to need far more than the issuance of commemorative plates celebrating the Aug. 9 meeting of the countries' presidents in the Constantine Palace's Greek Room.

Turkey

US election 2016: Can either candidate have a good week?

Here's what happened on the campaign trail the week of Aug. 8.

Syria

What will be Turkey's toll for a second chance with Russia?

The presidents of both countries know a reconciliation with Russia won't come cheap for Turkey.

Syria

Have Putin and Erdogan found common ground?

At a meeting Aug. 9, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin seemed to have agreed on coordinating their country's roles in the Syrian conflict in light of the "common goal" they share.

Turkey

Why Russia doesn't want Aleppo to fall

Could Russia be seeing a stalemate in Aleppo as playing to its advantage?

Syria

Obama: no safe haven for al-Qaeda in Syria

The United States to continue "intense fire efforts" against terrorist group as US-Russia talks appear stalled; Is Muqtada al-Sadr losing the Iraqi street? Nouri al-Maliki plots his return.

Iraq

Obama chides Russia, but will 'test' cooperation to curb Syria war

US President Barack Obama on Aug. 4 criticized Russia for backing the Syrian regime’s advances on Aleppo, as US-Russian negotiations on possible deeper cooperation on Syria drag on without agreement.

Syria

Iranian wrestlers go for the gold in Rio

Iranian official says Iranian wrestlers’ “biggest challenge” at the Olympics will come from Russians and Americans.

Russia

Can Turkey really turn to Russia?

Despite anger at the West after the recent failed coup, the strategic ties some desire with Russia do not appear realistic.

Syria

Al-Qaeda affiliate’s desperate 'switch' validates US Syria policy

Fear of US and Russian airstrikes on eve of Syrian offensive a sign that Jabhat al-Nusra may be feeling the heat; Turkey’s de-Gulenification campaign in context; retired Saudi general probes Israeli commitment to peace settlement.

Saudi Arabia

Why de-escalation of Ankara-PKK clashes doesn’t mean path to peace

The Turkish government has lowered the temperature of the war against the PKK because of the prevailing chaos in the army, police and intelligence services, but this is not a step toward peace.

Syria

US rebukes Russia Aleppo plan as 'demand for surrender'

The United States criticized a Russian Defense Ministry announcement of “humanitarian corridors” for civilians to leave rebel-held eastern Aleppo, but US-Russian negotiations on deeper cooperation continue as the city is steadily falling to the regime.

Syria