Russian influence

Egypt postpones nuclear power plant amid tensions with Russia over Nile dam

Egypt pauses El-Dabaa nuclear power plant project for two years amid tensions hanging over the relationship with Russia due to its recent position on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam crisis and its rapprochement with Ethiopia.

George Mikhail | Egypt | Jul 28, 2021

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi arrive to make a press statement following the 2019 Russia-Africa Summit at the Sirius Park of Science and Art, Sochi, Russia, Oct. 24, 2019.

Kremlin's vaccine diplomacy finds trouble in Middle East

Deliveries of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine are as controversial as the vaccine itself.

Anton Mardasov | Russia | Jul 16, 2021

A picture taken on Dec. 4, 2020, shows the production of Russia's Gam-COVID-Vac vaccine against the coronavirus.

Egypt disappointed by Russian stance on Nile dam dispute

Some Egyptians call for reassessing relations with Russia after it failed to back Egypt's view on Ethiopia's Nile dam at the Security Council this month, although overall ties remain strong.

Amr Emam | Egypt | Jul 16, 2021

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (L) attend their news conference

Confrontation between US, pro-Iranian groups in Syria and Iraq poses challenges for Russia

While Moscow does not yet have the resources to eliminate Iranian influence in Syria, it would be in its interests to at least prevent the expansion of the activities of pro-Iranian paramilitary structures.

Kirill Semenov | Syria | Jul 12, 2021

US soldiers stand near a Russian military vehicle in the Syrian town of al-Malikiyah (Derik), on June 3, 2020.

After gestures to US, Turkey turns to placating Russia

Turkey is back to its balancing act between Moscow and Washington after a series of moves to win favor with the Biden administration at the expense of irritating Russia.

Fehim Tastekin | Turkey | Jul 7, 2021

Russia rules out opening second Syria border crossing for aid

Russia's UN ambassador said his government is still considering whether or not to veto the UN's mandate for Syria's last remaining aid crossing.

Al-Monitor Staff | Syria | Jul 1, 2021

Turkey stalls on withdrawal of foreign forces from Libya

Turkey might have managed to stave off pressure in the Berlin conference on Libya, but as the December elections near, the Turkish military presence in the country will remain a source of tension.

Fehim Tastekin | Turkey | Jun 30, 2021

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (L) attends the second international Libya conference on June 23, 2021, in Berlin, Germany.

John Bolton joins newly launched Turkish Democracy Project

The group describes its mission as “encouraging Turkey to adopt more democratic policies and responding to the steady erosion of Turkey’s democratic institutions.”

Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | Jun 25, 2021

Iran to acquire Russian high-resolution recon satellite

Russia is set to give Iran a satellite that could spy on Tehran's potential military targets.

Al-Monitor Staff | Russia | Jun 11, 2021

Russia looks for way back into Yemen

Moscow appears to be making some tentative steps for a deeper engagement in the Yemen war.

Kirill Semenov | Russia | Jun 11, 2021

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov delivers a speech at the 2020 Munich Security Conference, Munich, Germany, Feb. 15, 2020.

Rouhani praises Putin, hails expanded ties with Russia

Rouhani's expression of gratitude came a few weeks after his foreign minister was caught in a leaked audio, complaining about Russian attempts to put a spike in the wheel of the 2015 multilateral talks that culminated in the Iran nuclear deal.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | Jun 10, 2021

US, Turkey still far off on deal over Russian S-400 missiles

Is any feasible deal on the S-400 deployment in Turkey in the works?

Amberin Zaman | Turkey | Jun 9, 2021

Iran and Russia sign visa waiver agreement

The deal focuses on making it easier for large tourist groups to travel to Iran and Russia.

Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | Jun 8, 2021

Tourists visit the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, also known as the Pink Mosque, in the southern Iranian city of Shiraz on Sept. 27, 2018.

Will Syria come up in Biden-Putin summit?

US pressing to maintain humanitarian corridors into Syria; Erdogan’s issues with US Syria policy; UN envoy refers to Syria’s "tragic irony."

Week in Review | Russia | Jun 4, 2021

Meeting with Biden looms as critical test for Erdogan

Turkey’s relationship with the United States poses the toughest test for Erdogan in the coming period, bound to sway both his foreign policy and political alliances at home.

Metin Gurcan | Turkey | Jun 3, 2021

Russian influence

Egypt postpones nuclear power plant amid tensions with Russia over Nile dam

Egypt pauses El-Dabaa nuclear power plant project for two years amid tensions hanging over the relationship with Russia due to its recent position on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam crisis and its rapprochement with Ethiopia.

Kremlin's vaccine diplomacy finds trouble in Middle East

Egypt disappointed by Russian stance on Nile dam dispute

Confrontation between US, pro-Iranian groups in Syria and Iraq poses challenges for Russia

After gestures to US, Turkey turns to placating Russia

Russia rules out opening second Syria border crossing for aid

Turkey stalls on withdrawal of foreign forces from Libya

John Bolton joins newly launched Turkish Democracy Project

Iran to acquire Russian high-resolution recon satellite

Russia looks for way back into Yemen

Rouhani praises Putin, hails expanded ties with Russia

US, Turkey still far off on deal over Russian S-400 missiles

Iran and Russia sign visa waiver agreement

Will Syria come up in Biden-Putin summit?

Meeting with Biden looms as critical test for Erdogan

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