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
Is US redesigning southern flank? Amid Turkey’s rapprochement with Russia, the United States has stepped up military cooperation with Greece, Turkey’s traditional regional rival, heralding shifts in geostrategic balances in the Balkans, the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean. Syria
Putin goes for broke to negotiate Turkey cease-fire US withdrawal created some opportunites for Russia but also had it face new challenges with Turkey. Syria
Erdogan defies international outcry over Syria incursion Turkey has faced a barrage of recrimination for launching a military operation against Syrian Kurdish militants, but its president vows to maintain the “struggle for survival,” even as the death toll mounts and a humanitarian crisis looms. Syria
In Riyadh, Putin receives czar-like reception Russia and Saudi Arabia sign a dozen business deals but it is unclear whether Syria disagreements were resolved. Saudi Arabia
How far will Egypt go to defend Syria? Egypt has been spearheading efforts to halt Turkey's offensive in Syria and hosted an emergency Arab League meeting, but is this enough? Egypt
Operation Peace Spring: What is Turkish army's next step? As Turkey’s operation in northeast Syria enters its fifth day, the center of gravity of the operation shifts toward the west. Syria
Gas trade: Stand-alone win-win for US-Turkey relations The only foreseeable and quantifiable area in the relationships between Turkey and the United States is gas trade. Turkey
How does Washington see Russia's Gulf security concept? Washington ignores Moscow's initiative for the Gulf security architecture and there are some good reasons why. Legacy: Gulf
What to expect from Putin's visit to Saudi Arabia Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit Saudi Arabia on Oct. 14 with a set of economic and security issues on the agenda. Saudi Arabia
What did Lavrov discuss in Baghdad and Erbil? Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Iraq to discuss a broad range of issues, with economy and security dominating the agenda. Iraq
Russia has 3 messages for Turkey over operation in Syria Russia has its eye on long-term opportunities following Turkey's operation in northeast Syria. Syria
Does Russia seek 'ideological alternative' to US with Gulf security concept? Despite popular claims that Russia's policies in the Middle East are free of any ideology, the recent Gulf security concept released by Moscow may suggest that there should be one. Syria
