Iran, Russia launch naval drills ahead of trilateral nuclear talks with China Naval forces from Iran and Russia begin joint military drills in the Caspian Sea, reflecting deepening ties between the two countries that come just weeks after Iran’s 12-day war with Israel and the collapse of nuclear talks with the United States. Iran
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 By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Can Iran rely on Russia to dodge US pressure? Iran is relying on Russia to minimize the impact of the US "maximum pressure" campaign, but Russia seems to have reservations while it also enjoys certain advantages if US-Iran tensions remain unresolved, albeit at a controlled level. Russia
Why 'Putin's personal army' chief visited Turkey Viktor Zolotov, the head of Russian National Guard, also known as Vladimir Putin's personal army, paid a surprising visit to Turkey's capital. Turkey
Russia may have designs on Iran's trade with Syria Observers wonder whether Russia will cut into Iran's trade volume with Syria. Syria
Has Russia begun to play a role in Iraq? Russia seeks a presence in Iraq similar to its presence in Syria but through Russian companies and economic, industrial and commercial agreements signed between the two countries. Iraq
Turkey steps up efforts to stop all-out assault on Syria’s Idlib Turkey hopes a working group with Russia will ease attacks on Syria’s last rebel-controlled territory, but will convincing Russia require concessions in other foreign policy objectives? Syria
Can Putin, Trump reboot ties over Syria? US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo came to Moscow with a message of reconciliation from President Donald Trump that the Kremlin happily embraced, yet the old disagreements are all still there. Russia
Why global and regional powers aren't standing up against Hifter's Libya offensive If major international players could find a common interest in a stable Libya, they might see a simple way out of the seemingly endless wars of post-Gadhafi succession, yet they continue to back opposing factions in Libya. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Why Turkey, Russia are not about to fall out over Idlib Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is accusing the Syrian government of seeking to “sabotage” Turkey’s relations with Russia with its assault on rebel-held Idlib. Syria
Turkey sticks to its guns on Russian missile-defense deal Despite the efforts of NATO heavy-hitter Jens Stoltenberg, Turkey seems to be moving closer to Russia and its S-400 air-defense system. Turkey
Despite FM's warm reception in Moscow, Russia can’t do much to save JCPOA Tehran's disappointment with the Europeans leaves Russia as perhaps the only leverage Iran still has with the West on the nuclear deal, but there's little Moscow can do to help at this point. Russia
Long-expected battle for Idlib may have begun Backed by massive Russian air power, the Syrian regime has launched what may be the start of a long-feared offensive to retake opposition-held northern Hama and Idlib, in which an estimated 3 million inhabitants and civilians displaced from other areas are trapped. Syria
