Russian delegation in Syria to preserve military bases: What to know Russian and Syrian military officials have held a series of reciprocal exchanges and visits in recent weeks, as the Kremlin continues to view Syria as a key military vantage point. Syria
Putin meets Iran’s top security official as Trump says Tehran wants deal President Donald Trump said on Friday that Iran is seeking a nuclear deal but declined to specify a timeline for negotiations. Iran
UAE President meets Putin in Russia to discuss nuclear energy, trade, Iran The visit of Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed comes a day after the Kremlin hosted President Ahmed al-Sharaa to discuss the future of Russian military bases in Syria. Russia
Sharaa, Putin meet in Moscow after Russia's abrupt pullout from Syria base Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s visit to Moscow, his second in four months, comes days after Russia began withdrawing its forces and evacuating equipment from its military base in northeast Syria. Syria
Analysis Turkey rebuffs air-defense criticism after drone shot down near Ankara By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Moscow steadily promoting its 'Helsinki agenda' in Syria Following the Helsinki summit, Russia is working to deliver what each party is expecting from it: security to Israel, cooperation with Iran and engagement with the West. Syria
Pentagon shifts equipment from Iraq to Syria The Pentagon is removing mine rollers and armored carriers from Iraq as it draws down its presence in the country. Iraq
Pompeo, Haley try to regroup after Helsinki In the wake of Helsinki summit, there are signs of a growing chasm between President Donald Trump and his Cabinet chiefs trying to implement US policies toward the Middle East. Syria
Putin envoy tells Iran that cooperation in Syria will continue Iranian and Russian officials have insisted that despite pressure from outside countries, the two countries will continue to support the Syrian government. Israel
Meet the new generation of Iranian hard-liners A young generation of hard-liners is beginning to challenge the old guard, taking tougher positions on political issues while being more open on cultural affairs. Russia
The path to Washington passes through Jerusalem Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has morphed from persona non grata at the White House into the leader with the most influence over the US president. Israel
Turkey wary of US-Russia deal on Syria Ankara is increasingly concerned that Washington is working with Moscow to secure an accord for northern Syria between the Bashar al-Assad regime and the Kurds. Syria
What’s next for Syria after Helsinki summit? The meeting between the Russian and US presidents did as little for the Middle East as it possibly could, though the two leaders seemed to identify Syria as a good place to rebuild US-Russian cooperation. Israel
Pentagon eyes shrinking role in Syria as Trump and Putin negotiate deal Syrian rebels have presented the White House with military options to push back against Bashar al-Assad’s gains in the southwest, Al-Monitor has learned. Syria
The art of the deal in Helsinki A win-win on Syria is there for the taking by leveraging Putin’s relationship with Iran. Israel
Khamenei adviser warns Moscow of 'empty promises' from US Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei sent his top adviser to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the Russian leader's meeting with Trump, in hopes that Moscow will remain wary of US promises. Syria
Netanyahu, Putin talk Iran before Helsinki summit In his last meeting with Putin before the Helsinki summit with Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to enlist Russia's support for Israel's Syria proposal for the United States. Israel
