Russia-Ukraine crisis

Iranians drive next to a billboard displaying pictures of nuclear scientists, centrifuges and a sentence reading in Farsi, "Science is the power," at the Enqelab Square in Tehran, on Aug. 29, 2025.

Iran rial hits record low 1.13M to dollar as UN snapback sanctions resume: What to know

The sanctions, which were trigged by the three European signatories to the nuclear deal, will not hinder Iranian oil exports to China, an official said.

US President Donald Trump (L) greets Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) upon his arrival at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 25, 2025.

From F-35s to Ukraine: Erdogan-Trump talks signal reset, but sanctions obstacles remain

The summit underscored both leaders’ personal chemistry while highlighting the limits of what the partnership can deliver.

A soldier of a UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) platoon of the U.S. Army 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, readies a Anduril Ghost-X helicopter surveillance drone for take-off during the Combined Resolve 25-1 military exercises at the Hohenfels Training Area in Bavaria on Feb. 3, 2025 near Hohenfels, Germany.

CENTCOM launches task force to drive Pentagon’s drone race

New unit aims to put "combat-credible" drone systems into the hands of US troops in the Middle East within 60 days, part of an ambitious new push by the Pentagon to leapfrog advances made by Washington's adversaries in fielding cheaply made but lethal armed drones.

DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images

As EU tries to wean off Russian gas, pipeline imports via Turkey rise

The European Union is importing more Russian gas via Turkey despite efforts to end imports from Russia.

Latest News

Russia, Iran in talks on construction of small nuclear plants: What to know

OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

As Trump plays Russia oil sanctions gambit, will Middle East profit or pay?

Oil tankers and cranes at Merchants Harbor, Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

UAE looks to boost Russia trade to $23B despite Trump tariff threats

GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/AFP via Getty Images

United Arab Emirates

UAE president heads to Russia to meet Putin as ties grow: What to know

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan (L) at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on October 20, 2024. (Photo by Artem Geodakyan / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ARTEM GEODAKYAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

United Arab Emirates

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group.

Wagner chief Prigozhin among passengers in fatal plane crash: Russian state media

Russia’s grey-zone influence in the Middle East and Africa enters uncharted territory amid reports of the Wagner chief’s death.

Russia / Mideast

Byron Smith/Getty Images

Ukrainian ambassador threatens to block Israeli pilgrims from Uman

Ukraine's ambassador to Israel has warned Israel that if it does not stop turning away Ukrainians, Kyiv will close its doors to Israeli pilgrims to the city of Uman.

President Ebrahim Raisi, second right, at a ceremony to unveil the Mohajer-10 drone, Aug. 22, 2023.

Iran unveils new armed drone, defying pressure over shipments to Russia

With a range of over 1,200 miles, Mohajer 10 is the latest from a family of drones that Russia is believed to have imported from Iran to use in its war on Ukraine.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan looks on during a joint press conference with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov (not pictured) after their meeting in Ankara, Turkey on July 31, 2023. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey FM to discuss alternatives to Black Sea grain deal in Ukraine

Turkey's foreign minister will stop in Ukraine Aug. 25 to discuss options for shipping Ukrainian grain amid the deadlock with Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Sixth Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Astana on Oct. 13, 2022.

Explainer: What's going on between Russia and Turkey amid Black Sea escalation

Ankara’s avoidance of a public confrontation with Moscow reflects its determination to maintain a balancing act between Russia and the West.

Putin Tebboune

Analysis

Russia pushes North African trade area as Ukraine sanctions bite

Russia's influence across North Africa is varied, but regional countries could benefit from discounted Russian hydrocarbons, grain and fertilizer.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images

Hungary inks deal for Qatari gas

Hungary and Qatar have signed a gas exportation deal as Europe diversifies its energy sources.

Hasidic Jewish pilgrims pray at the tomb of Rabbi Nachman for Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year, in the town of Uman, about 200km from the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, on Sept. 25, 2022.

Analysis

Israelis to make Ukraine pilgrimage despite risk of Russian attacks

Despite the raging war, thousands of Israeli Breslow Hassidim and other pilgrims are determined to spend the Jewish New Year in the Ukrainian city of Uman.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Breaking | Last Updated: August 17, 2023, 5:41 pm

First cargo ship to challenge Russian blockade reaches Turkey from Ukraine

Joseph Schulte became the first civilian vessel to safely travel from Ukraine to Turkey after Russia’s withdrawal from a deal that had granted safe passage to commercial and civilian ships amid escalating tensions in the Black Sea.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf.

Interview

Algerian FM 'satisfied' with Biden’s Western Sahara policy

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf also discussed the possibility for military intervention in Niger, his country’s relationship with Russia and improved US-Algeria ties under the Biden administration.

Ahmed Attaf

Ahmed Attaf

Foreign Minister of Algeria

Saudi refinery

Analysis

Russia’s oil sales to China hurt Saudi revenue despite increased demand

Despite oil prices maintaining a seven-week rally and crude demand expected to reach record highs in 2023, the burden of maintaining higher oil prices is pushing Saudi Arabia to the limit.

By Salim A. Essaid

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan: Revival of Russia-Ukraine grain deal hinges on West

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Russia’s return to the critical deal was dependent on Western countries’ fulfilling their responsibilities.