Iran's Araghchi doubles down on China, Russia ties at Shanghai meeting Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi seized the opportunity at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in China to denounce Israeli and US attacks on Iran, rally diplomatic support against sanctions and warn of regional instability should the fragile ceasefire collapse. Iran
Iran’s Araghchi to meet China, Russia FMs at Shanghai Cooperation meeting Iran is seeking to deepen economic ties with the China-led bloc amid US sanctions and the aftermath of last month's war with Israel. Iran
Analysis Can China and Russia fill Iran's defense vacuum after 12-day war? With its air defenses shattered by Israeli strikes in the recent war, Iran is scrambling to rebuild amid growing public doubt over the reliability of its "strategic alliances." By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Why peace with Turkey has come to mean survival for Armenia’s Pashinyan As Yerevan edges closer to the West, regional power struggles and domestic unrest threaten to derail the Armenian leader’s strategy. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis Can Russia broker Iran-Israel deal as Putin looks to divert West from Ukraine? By Kasia A. Houghton
Turkey, Russia both claim win in Syria agreement Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seems to get what he wants regarding the Kurdish People's Protection Units, and Russia appears to gain yet more influence in Syria; has Idlib become a pawn in Turkish-Russian negotiations? Iraq
Putin, Erdogan nail down Syria deal The Russian and Turkish presidents met for more than six hours to come up with an agreement on Syria, one that might survive. Syria
Pentagon guardianship of Syrian oil fields faces pushback For days now, despite Turkish forces jeopardizing a fragile US-brokered cease-fire in northern Syria, President Donald Trump has insisted that American forces have secured oil fields liberated from the Islamic State. Syria
Who betrayed Syria’s Kurds? Before the recent Turkish intervention in northeast Syria, US officials and Syrian Kurdish leaders went back and forth on the role of US troops in the region. Syria
Syrian cease-fire holds as Kurdish forces withdraw from Turkish border A fragile truce held for a fourth day despite sporadic fighting as Kurdish militants leave a strategic town, the United States pulls out its soldiers and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan heads to Russia to discuss what comes next. Syria
Putin's critique of US peace plan gives Palestinians hope The Russian president's recent statements about the "deal of the century" have given Palestinians hope that Moscow will support the Palestinian cause and rights. Palestine
Why Russia isn't bothered by US-Turkey agreement on Syria Russia, which has been conducting its own whirlwind diplomacy this week, wasn't disturbed by the US-Turkey deal over northern Syria. Legacy: Gulf
Putin's visit draws UAE, Russia closer The UAE's welcoming ceremony for Putin outperformed that of the Saudis but this is not the only reason why the Russian president left Abu Dhabi happy. Legacy: Gulf
Netanyahu discovers hospitality has its limits Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tried to ingratiate himself at both the White House and the Kremlin, but now finds himself home alone. Palestine
Pompeo visit fails to reassure Israel on Syria, Iran The meeting of US secretary of State Mike Pompeo with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not reassure Jerusalem over developments in Syria and Iran. Israel
Is Kurdish dream of autonomy coming to an end? The clouds of doubt over the Kurdish autonomy project in northern Syria have thickened after the Kurds struck a military alliance with Damascus, without getting any assurances on their future political rights. Syria
Turkey’s military operation turning into diplomatic war As the military front becomes perceptibly static in Turkey’s Operation Peace Spring, the center of gravity shifts to diplomatic front, seemingly catching Ankara underprepared. Syria