Qatar and Russia to up investment by $2B as emir visits Moscow Cooperation between Qatar and Russia on energy matters is growing, as Doha seeks to mediate between the Kremlin and Ukraine over the war. Qatar
IAEA chief in Tehran as Iran FM returns to Russia with Khamenei letter A flurry of meetings are taking place in Iran, Russia and the US ahead of the second round of nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran on Saturday. Iran
US imposes new Iran sanctions ahead of Oman talks as Tehran touts nuclear gains Iranian officials met their Russian and Chinese counterparts on Tuesday to discuss the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program as Tehran prepares for negotiations with Washington. Iran
OPEC+ members boost output as Trump tariffs bring down oil prices The US president has been calling on Saudi Arabia and other top oil producers to boost production and bring down prices. Saudi Arabia
Turkey’s Fidan to visit Russia as Ukraine's grain deal, Syria talks stall Ankara’s efforts to revive the Black Sea grain deal and stalled high level talks between Ankara and Damascus are expected to be high on the agenda of the talks between top Russian and Turkish diplomats. Turkey
Putin’s Syria policy hangs on amid Russian crackdown on Wagner Israeli-Saudi normalization linked to Netanyahu White House visit; Israel’s booming arms exports; Turkey-Sweden ties strained ahead of NATO summit; would an 'informal' Iran deal require congressional review? Syria
US: Iran drone factory in Russia could be operational next year Iran has already been shipping drones via the Caspian Sea to Russia for use in the war in Ukraine, White House says. Russia
Turkey's Erdogan makes video appearance following health scare After canceling a series of campaign events and travel over the past two days due to a health issue, Turkey's president seemed to be recovered but fatigued in a video appearance. Turkey
Why has the Kremlin upped its protocol for Syria's Assad in Russia? Public ceremonies for the Syrian leader, in contrast to his previous secret meetings, suggest that Assad is in a stronger position to negotiate with Moscow. Syria
Russia fighter jet collides with US drone over Black Sea amid concerns of Iran arms transfers Loss of the USAF MQ-9 comes as Russia has provided weapons technology to Iran, including US arms captured in Ukraine. Russia
Russia to expand private militaries in broader Middle East amid staffing crisis As it wages a full-scale war in Ukraine, Russia wants to reform its army while being chronically short of security personnel, and increasingly dependent on mercenaries Russia
Turkish defense chief warns Syrian rebels against ‘provocation’ As the Turkish president eyes a meeting with his Syrian counterpart, the Turkish defense chief warns Ankara-backed armed groups against “provocations” amid ongoing Syrian protests against the Damascus-Ankara thaw. Turkey
Erdogan presses for 'concrete steps' in Syria during call with Putin President Erdogan tells his Russian counterpart Putin that the Syrian government needs to be "constructive" for "concrete results" in Syria. Turkey
Turkish, Syrian FMs could meet soon as diplomatic thaw gains steam The top Turkish diplomat said Saturday that he could meet with his Syrian counterpart in mid-January. Turkey
Turkey, Syrian government may cooperate on the ground Turkey is considering cooperating with the Syrian government in rebel-held Syrian territories after the first high-level talks between Turkey and the Syrian government in Moscow this week. Turkey
Turkish, Syrian defense chiefs hold landmark meeting in Russia The defense ministers' meeting in Moscow was the first official engagement between Damascus and Ankara in more than a decade. Turkey
