Russian delegation in Syria to preserve military bases: What to know Russian and Syrian military officials have held a series of reciprocal exchanges and visits in recent weeks, as the Kremlin continues to view Syria as a key military vantage point. Syria
Putin meets Iran’s top security official as Trump says Tehran wants deal President Donald Trump said on Friday that Iran is seeking a nuclear deal but declined to specify a timeline for negotiations. Iran
UAE President meets Putin in Russia to discuss nuclear energy, trade, Iran The visit of Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed comes a day after the Kremlin hosted President Ahmed al-Sharaa to discuss the future of Russian military bases in Syria. Russia
Sharaa, Putin meet in Moscow after Russia's abrupt pullout from Syria base Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s visit to Moscow, his second in four months, comes days after Russia began withdrawing its forces and evacuating equipment from its military base in northeast Syria. Syria
Analysis Turkey rebuffs air-defense criticism after drone shot down near Ankara By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Syrian opposition split over Russia-Turkey patrols in Idlib The joint military patrols mandated by the Russia-Turkey cease-fire are in effect, sparking protests and dividing the Syrian opposition. Syria
Intel: Russia, Turkey reach deal on Syria's Idlib Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar finally announced March 13 that after four days of talks in the Turkish capital, the Russian and Turkish militaries have agreed on the details of a new cease-fire in Syria’s Idlib de-escalation zone. Syria
Erdogan turns to oil in a bid to salvage Syria policy Turkey’s president eyes oil-related bargains in Syria after failing to achieve his stated objectives in Idlib and acquiescing to a new deal with Russia in the rebel stronghold. Syria
Hamas in Moscow to mend ties with Syrian regime Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh's visit to Moscow is seen as a potential move to repair relations the Syrian regime. Palestine
Will Russia accept Turkey's proposal to split Syria's oil? Moscow weighs the pros and cons of a Turkish proposal on Syrian oil. Syria
Turkey’s Erdogan vows retaliation if Idlib truce violated Turkey and Russia are maintaining a fragile truce in Syria's Idlib, yet the Turkish president said his military may retaliate if its outposts are targeted. Syria
Intel: Despite new Idlib deal, Russia, Turkey look to strengthen leverage in Syria Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar spoke by phone with his Russain counterpart Sergey Shoigu March 10 about the progress of the bipartisan protocol over Idlib that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed in Moscow on March 5. Syria
Erdogan’s war in Idlib faces uphill battle on the home front Having failed to deliver on his ultimatum to the Assad regime, Erdogan now has a serious credibility problem domestically. Syria
‘Let them cross’: Turkey’s president defiant on Europe border crisis Turkey's president, after meeting with EU leaders, says Greece should open its border with Turkey to migrants and then let them cross into other European countries; Russian and Turkish patrols for a new security corridor straddling Syria's M4 highway also are set. Syria
Mideast oil producers brace for impact of price slide The global coronavirus outbreak and falling oil prices could spell a massive economic slowdown for oil-producing countries in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia
Does Moscow’s withdrawal from OPEC-plus deal end Russia-Saudi honeymoon? Russia’s decision to break off from the Saudis in the OPEC-plus agreement has some merits. Saudi Arabia
How will Russia, China support Iran's military after UN arms ban ends? Moscow and Beijing could strike weapons deals with Tehran after the UN arms embargo expires later this year, but their anticipated support will face hurdles. Russia
