Analysis Iran uses first joint SCO field drill to tout drone power, assert post-war resilience The five-day drill includes participation from China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Observer states Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan and Iraq will also be present. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Saudi Arabia signs first visa-free travel agreement with Russia: What to know The deal will allow citizens of either country to enter visa-free for 90 days for tourism, business and family visits. Saudi Arabia
Egypt, Russia advance construction at Dabaa nuclear plant: What to know The Dabaa nuclear plant could help Egypt address its energy woes while boosting cooperation with Russia. Egypt
Analysis As Sharaa heads to Washington, Iran looks to Russia to rebuild Syria ties Ahmed al-Sharaa's historic visit to the US highlights Syria's strategic pivot after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad, which has left a vacuum Tehran will be struggling to fill despite years of deep influence. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Despite internal rifts over Russia’s reliability, Iran pushes closer to Moscow By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Why Erdogan’s Shanghai ambitions are risky business President Erdogan’s statement that NATO-member Turkey is targeting membership in the Shanghai club is more geared toward domestic consumption than reality, particularly after a top Russian diplomat said NATO and the SCO are incompatible. Turkey
Erdogan meets Azerbaijan’s Aliyev as Baku, Yerevan reach ceasefire Azerbaijan-Armenia tensions and the grain corridor are expected to top Erdogan’s meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, where Turkey is attending at the presidential level for the first time. Turkey
Border conflict breaks out between Armenia, Azerbaijan as Russia distracted by Ukraine Azerbaijan’s close ally Turkey condemns Yerevan for escalation of conflict two years after a cease-fire. Turkey
Egypt to adopt Russian Mir payment system to encourage tourism, trade exchange Russian tourists and companies will be allowed to pay through the Russian Mir system in Egypt ahead of the winter season, which Cairo is hoping will boost its tourism sector. Egypt
Iran, Russia use own currencies for trade Saudi Arabia and India have also signaled moving away from the US dollar. Iran
'Normalization' with Assad is the new normal in Turkey Comments by Turkey's foreign minister hinting at normalization with Damascus drove hundreds of Syrians across Turkish-occupied areas of northern Syria to stage demonstrations. Turkey
Turkey makes peace bid with Chechen leader As Ankara finesses relations with Moscow, top Turkish officials have quietly met with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov after years of chill marked by a string of murders of Chechen exiles in Turkey. Turkey
Russia offers Erdogan economic lifeline Gas payments in rubles will help Turkey reduce its foreign-currency demand. Turkey
US approves Sweden, Finland NATO bid as Turkey warns of conditions Turkey's President Erdogan warned again this week that his government would block the two Nordic countries' bid to join NATO unless they take action against Kurdish leftist groups. Washington Pulse
At summit, Erdogan, Putin still divided on Syria Ankara agreed that part of its natural gas payments to Moscow would be switched to rubles. Turkey
Russia eyes Port Sudan as key naval hub Russia-Sudan ties have deepened since the October 2021 military takeover in Sudan and the Russia-Ukraine war. North Africa
Russian Orthodox Church builds on links with Egyptian Copts Egypt's Giza governorate now hosts an administrative and spiritual center for the Russian Orthodox Church. Egypt
