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
Russia eyes opportunities with new Iraqi decision-makers As Iraq welcomes its new parliament members and office-holders, Moscow looks to beef up bilateral cooperation in different areas with Baghdad. Iraq
Saad Hariri: loose witness in MBS prosecution The Lebanese prime minister now has one on the crown prince; Mohammed bin Salman goes after his inner circle; Netanyahu needs Putin for possible deal on the Golan. Saudi Arabia
Putin, Sisi take Russia-Egypt relations to 'strategic level' Moscow and Cairo signed a strategic cooperation agreement that is supposed to open new venues for bilateral relations in the military, political and cultural domains. Egypt
Commentary: Can Russia make a positive change in Libya? Reports on the increase of Russian military presence in Libya sparked international controversy and triggered a debate within Russia over the need for a presence in the distant Mediterranean country. Russia indeed eyes a bigger role in the conflict, but one different from what the reports ascribe Moscow to play. Libya
Iran sets sights on Syrian reconstruction projects Iran is ready to help rebuild Syria, and seems especially interested in getting the power back up and running, but restructuring projects will remain stalled until a political solution is reached. Syria
Commentary: Netanyahu’s view on Golan Heights Most Israeli prime ministers in the past 25 years participated in negotiations over an Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights, and it is likely that such negotiations will be launched again in the future. Israel
Saudis skeptical about Russia's oil production prospects Saudi Arabia's projection that Russian oil production will dwindle significantly triggered a backlash in Moscow, which says it has options up its sleeve that will prove Riyadh wrong. Saudi Arabia
Analysis: Reports on Russian troops in Libya spark controversy Allegations that Moscow is deploying troops to Libya have triggered domestic debate over Russia's role in the crisis. Libya
How Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rival operates in northern Syria Al-Monitor interviewed the spokesman of the National Liberation Front, which includes several armed opposition factions in northern Idlib, to find out its goals and plans for the future. Syria
Is Russia’s S-300 delivery to Syria a game-changer? Russia's deployment of S-300 missile defense systems to Syria has both political and military significance, but might not necessarily change the overall balance of forces with regard to Israel. Israel
Iran's launch of ‘Look East’ 2.0 The recent Regional Security Dialogue in Tehran is an indication that Iran sees security multilateralism as a mechanism to confront US pressure and maintain the regional balance of power in its favor. Syria
