Analysis Pragmatic politics: Why Turkey avoids blaming Russia for Black Sea attacks Beyond economics, Ankara’s approach is also shaped by maintaining its role as an indispensable mediator between the Kremlin and the West. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Putin offers to help end Iran war, but can Russia deliver? As Washington and Tehran weigh their next moves, Moscow is seeking a diplomatic foothold in a war where influence may prove harder to convert into concrete results. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Pezeshkian to meet Putin as Iran looks to Russia for support: What to know Russia has reportedly provided Iran with military materiel, intelligence and diplomatic backing during the war. Iran
Analysis Russia’s double game in Yemen: Backing Saudi Arabia while courting Houthis Despite public ties to Riyadh, Moscow allegedly aided Houthi Red Sea strikes via Iran to pressure the West beyond Ukraine. By Anton Mardasov
Is Russia leaning away from Palestine? Russia recently described Palestinian attacks against Israelis as terrorist attacks, which might indicate a change in what Palestinians regarded as Moscow's balanced position. Palestine
US looks to sidestep UN on Iran missiles Blocked at the UN Security Council, the Obama administration considers other multilateral tools. Russia
US 'encouraged' by momentum in Syria peace talks As the partial Syria cease-fire holds for a month, the United States and Russia expressed cautious optimism that they have found agreement on ways to move the Syria peace process forward. Syria
Iran optimistic after Syrian forces retake Palmyra The recapture of Palmyra by the Syrian government has Iranian officials and media optimistic about the direction of Syria’s civil war. Syria
Kerry notes 'beneficial reduction' in Syrian violence Syrian cessation of hostilities holding at one month as Islamic State loses ground; Massoud Barzani says United States is turning a “blind eye” to Syrian Kurdish ally’s links to the Kurdistan Workers Party. Iraq
Is Iran becoming a major regional arms producer? If the current trajectory of arms deliveries continues, it appears that countries such as Iran, Russia and China are set to become the Middle East’s main weapons suppliers. Iraq
What Russia won by withdrawing from Syria Russian President Vladimir Putin’s drawdown of forces from Syria was carefully timed and shows Russia learned an important lesson in Afghanistan. Syria
How Tehran and Damascus view Russia’s latest Syria move Regardless of the partial Russian military withdrawal, it appears that other allies of the Syrian government are holding their ground. Lebanon
What Russia's withdrawal means for Syria conflict Opinions vary about the repercussions and motives behind Russian President Vladimir Putin’s partial withdrawal of Russian forces from Syria. Syria
What Russia's Syria shift means for Moscow-Riyadh ties Russia’s likely gradual and partial military withdrawal from Syria may minimize one of the irritants in the Russian-Saudi relationship, but it won’t address their fundamental differences. Saudi Arabia
Raqqa brigade continues to raise flag of Syrian revolution Abu Issa, commander of Liwa Thuwar al-Raqqa, spoke to Al-Monitor about the ongoing fight against the Islamic State and being committed to the principles of the Syrian revolution. Syria
How the PKK is entering energy wars The PKK has stepped up attacks on oil and gas pipelines in Turkey. Turkey
