Analysis Israeli FM's Ukraine visit signals shift from Russia to anti-Iran alignment Israel has urged Ukraine to join forces against what it estimates is a joint enemy — the Iranian government. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis Iran's new satellite launch: Aerospace leap or Russia-backed mirage? After nearly a decade of setbacks, Iran has launched its Nahid-2 satellite aboard a Russian rocket. Touted as a milestone in homegrown aerospace, the achievement also exposes Tehran's deepening — and increasingly uneasy — dependence on Moscow. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
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
Analysis Can China and Russia fill Iran's defense vacuum after 12-day war? 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
Russian foreign minister heads to Turkey to seal visa deal The Turkish and Russian foreign ministers will meet in Antalya Friday to discuss a range of topics as a controversial missile deal between Ankara and Moscow threatens to further deteriorate Turkey-US ties. Turkey
Putin, Aoun discuss Syrian refugee crisis, regional issues President Putin and President Aoun hold wide-ranging talks, including about the return of refugees to Syria, and Lebanon indicates that despite its issues with Washington, strong US-Lebanese government ties are going to continue. Lebanon
Border wall fight could jeopardize funding for US bases in the Middle East The fight over funding for President Donald Trump’s proposed border wall could impact key US bases in the Middle East. United Arab Emirates
Russian businesses wary of Syria reconstruction investments Russia faces many barriers in its bid to invest in Syria's reconstruction, including excessive Syrian bureaucracy. Syria
Russia weighs in on Trump’s Golan Heights decision The US decision to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights makes Moscow consider its own balance sheet on the issue. Israel
SDF commander lays out conditions for reconciliation with Damascus In an exclusive interview, Mazlum Kobane warns of a “second great war” if Turkey intervenes militarily; State Department officials explain consequences of "undisciplined armed groups" in Iraq. Syria
How Trump's Golan decision will further frustrate Mideast peace process President Trump's tweet saying the United State should recognize Israel's annexation of the Golan Heights may help Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in April 9 elections, but may set back Trump's peace plan. Israel
Russia expects to maintain footprint in Algeria despite unrest In Moscow, the Algerian and Russian foreign ministers discussed the North African country's domestic political crisis, their mutual dislike for foreign intervention and the need to elevate bilateral ties. Algeria
Whose side is Russia on in Libya? The visit to Russia by Khaled al-Mishri, president of Libya's High Council of State and a former Muslim Brotherhood member, has raised speculation about Russian policy on a resolution for the Libyan conflict. Libya
Turkish intervention could trigger Syria's 'second great war' Mazlum Kobane, the commander in chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces, talks to Al-Monitor in an exclusive interview about how the Kurds in northeastern Syria have maintained a complicated network of alliances and why the prospect of Turkish intervention in the region could trigger another war. Syria
How exploitation of Crimea benefits Syria Over Crimea's five years under the Russian rule, the peninsula has been used in a number of ways to support various Russian activities in Syria. Syria
Why is Ukraine detaining tourists from Israel? In an attempt to fight migrant labor and sex trafficking, Israel is preventing the entry of thousands of Ukrainian citizens every year. Israel
