Putin appoints third special envoy to Syria

Putin's decision to appoint a new special envoy for developing relations with Syria likely has several aims, including to balance military and diplomatic involvement in Russia's Syria policy.

Syria

Intel: Russian jets intercept US Navy plane over eastern Mediterranean

Two Russian fighter aircraft intercepted a US Navy patrol plane over the eastern Mediterranean.

Syria

US warns of NATO security threat as Russian jets arrive in Libya

The fighter aircraft were delivered via Syria, where they were reportedly painted "to camouflage their Russian origin."

Turkey

US may try to raise the stakes for Russia in Syria

The politics of humanitarian corridors; Hayat Tahrir al-Sham tries a shakedown in Idlib; Ben Caspit to interview former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Al-Monitor podcast.

Syria

Is Turkey on moderation path in its foreign policy?

Conciliatory messages coming out of Ankara recently may appear as an effort to moderate Turkish foreign policy vis-a-vis the United States, Europe and Israel, but they are likely to be just maneuvering to weather the many stalemates in Turkey's foreign ties.

Egypt

Global oil prices at highest since March following OPEC cuts

Oil prices have fallen significantly this year as a result of the coronavirus and the Saudi-Russia price war, but Brent crude has now risen past $36.

Saudi Arabia

Ankara warns Hifter to lay off Turkish assets in Libya

Threats are escalating between Turkey and Libyan warlord Khalifa Hifter, and Moscow seems to be egging them on despite its calls for a ceasefire.

Turkey

US, allies press Russia to allow UN aid to Syria from Iraq

Though the United States and allied countries are working to convince Russia to reopen a border crossing between Iraq and Syria to UN humanitarian aid, Moscow could not only refuse but block aid through other points.

Syria

Is Russia pulling support from Libyan strongman Hifter?

While Russia doesn't want to see Khalifa Hifter’s self-styled Libyan National Army collapse, there are signs Moscow’s interests may align more closely with other figures in the country’s eastern government.

Libya

Pandemic won't halt construction on Egypt’s first nuclear power plant

Although a series of mega projects have been postponed in Egypt due to the coronavirus outbreak, work on the country’s first nuclear power plant continues.

Egypt

Amnesty: Syria, Russia responsible for war crimes in Idlib

Between May 2019 and February 2020, the UK-based rights group recorded 18 attacks on hospitals and schools carried out by Russian and Syrian forces.

Syria

Netanyahu needs Trump on Syria, Iran, but he needs Putin, too

On the anniversary of the end of World War 2 and less than a week before the visit in Israel of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Israel