Interview Armenia candidate Tatoyan eyes Pashinyan's pro-West mantle in sea of Russia-backed rivals In an interview from Yerevan, Armenian opposition candidate Arman Tatoyan denies pro-Russian ties and says he would deepen cooperation with the European Union and the United States while pursuing a gradual approach to relations with Moscow. Arman Tatoyan Founder, Wings of Unity Party
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Oil eases as Trump pauses Iran strikes After days of threats and brinkmanship, Washington and Tehran hint at diplomacy as Trump suspends planned military action. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Trump speaks with Netanyahu, Putin as Iran pressure campaign escalates President Donald Trump spoke by phone separately with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussing the situation in Iran and the possibility of extending the ceasefire. United States
Israel rejects Ukraine's claim that Russian shadow fleet vessel docked in Haifa Ukraine alleges the vessel unloaded wheat taken from occupied territories in Haifa, while Israel says ship had not entered the port. Israel
Trump-Putin meeting in Helsinki might solve Syrian crisis Russia and the United States have very different approaches and goals in the Middle East, but they could lead to a solution in Syria. Syria
'Erdoganism' makes Western debut at NATO summit Though US President Donald Trump is already claiming his share of headlines at the NATO summit, much of the world is waiting to get a look at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's foreign policy approach now that his office has been granted expanded powers with his July 9 inauguration. Turkey
Kremlin pressed to legalize private military companies As Moscow pulls out troops from Syria, Putin is pressed at home to legalize private military companies and come clean about Russain mercenaries' role in Syria. Syria
Iran supreme leader’s top aide in Moscow to ‘deliver message’ Iran has dispatched to Russia a “special envoy” with a message for President Vladimir Putin only a few days before his scheduled meeting with Donald Trump in Helsinki. Syria
Manbij holds the key to improved Turkish-US ties Ankara is worried the United States and Russia may be working on a deal in Syria that will be to Turkey's disadvantage. Syria
Why Putin won’t throw Iran under the bus in Syria Despite speculation that Russian President Vladimir Putin may sacrifice Iran's interests in his upcoming summit with US President Donald Trump, Russian policy appears geared toward gaining concessions from the Americans without going beyond Iran’s red lines in Syria. Syria
Can Russia deliver on Trump’s hope of ousting Iran from Syria? In the run-up to the Putin-Trump summit, Russia weighs a possible deal with the United States on Syria, but can it deliver on Washington's vision of an Iran-free Syria? Syria
Russia, Jordan discuss Syria in run-up to Trump-Putin summit A visit by Jordan's foreign minister to Moscow comes as one link in a chain of Russia's recent consultations with key regional players on the state of affairs in Syria. Syria
Assad critic seizes chairmanship of key Iran parliament commission Far from a game of musical chairs, the shift in the leadership of the Iranian parliament’s national security and foreign policy commission is set to alter the stances of the body. Syria
Is Israel going easy on Hamas? Israel plays it safe in Gaza while giving priority to its northern border; Hamas looking for a friend in Moscow; Israel’s nuclear ambiguity. Palestine
For Israel, Syrian battles hit too close to home Israel is facing a complicated situation on its Syrian border as Iran keeps reinforcing its presence in the country, the Syrian army gets closer to Israel and refugees continue to flee the combat zones. Israel
Trump, Putin both want piece of Middle East peace talks Russia and the United States can each bring advantages to the Mideast peace negotiating table, but neither is likely to solve all the issues without the other's cooperation. Palestine
