Egypt’s Sisi, Putin meet as Russia steps up Africa push: What to know Wednesday’s meeting comes on the sidelines of the third Russia-Africa Summit, a two-day gathering in Moscow bringing together African leaders and officials. Egypt
Russian satellite data helped Yemen’s Houthis target Saudi Arabia: What to know A report by The Associated Press found evidence that Russian satellites helped Yemen’s Houthis identify and target specific sites, including energy facilities and military bases, in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Putin puts Trump ahead of Iran in bid to mediate war Anton Mardosov, reporting from Moscow, and our correspondent in Tehran assess the limits of Russian influence in Iran; Ben Caspit reports that Netanyahu could force a unity government with an attack on Iran after the elections. By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti
Analysis Putin's Iran diplomacy faces limits as Russia eyes Ukraine concessions As US-Iran tensions escalate, Russia is stepping up mediation efforts, hoping to gain leverage with Washington over Ukraine despite its limited influence on Tehran. By Anton Mardasov
Analysis How Lavrov's Tehran visit tests limits of Russia's influence over Iran By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Pragmatic politics: Why Turkey avoids blaming Russia for Black Sea attacks By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Turkey determined to test NATO Turkey’s bargaining with Russia for the S-400 air defense system raises a number of military issues, the least of which being that the system is incompatible with NATO's defense structure. Turkey
5 reasons to watch Rouhani’s visit to Russia Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani is in Moscow for his first official visit to Russia. Russia
What’s Chechnya doing in Syria? Russia is finding the Republic of Chechnya’s influence to be very helpful in Syria. Syria
Idlib — more than Raqqa — may be decisive Syria fault line Russian-Turkish agreement under strain in key northern city. Iraq
Is Turkey rattled by Russian-Kurdish deal? Turkey may feel its already tenuous footing in Syria slipping now that Russian troops have arrived in Afrin, after making a pact with the Kurds. Syria
What role will Crimean Tatars play in Russian-Turkish relations? Observers wonder just how far Turkey is willing to stick out its neck to support Crimean Tatars during its quest to further reconcile with Russia. Turkey
Are Ankara’s prospects in Syria dimming? Turkey is hemmed in by the United States and Russia in Syria, unable to achieve its aim of blocking Kurdish gains. Syria
Is Assad shifting strategy on Israel? Contrary to Israel’s typical low profile on operations in Syrian skies, Israel’s Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman warned that if Damascus fires any more missiles against IDF jets, Israel will destroy its air defense system. Israel
Who really benefits from Turkey-Russia joint fund? A Turkish construction company, which runs major operations in Russia and was the builder of Erdogan’s controversial palace, figures prominently in a deal to create a joint investment fund between the two countries. Turkey
Israel weighs response to Hezbollah rocket threat For now, deterrence holds on Israel’s northern border; Iran ready to "fight to the last man" in Syria; Why does Erdogan go easy on Putin over Syrian Kurds? Israel
Tillerson to woo Turkey during Ankara visit US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is set to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a visit to Ankara later this month, as tensions between their two countries persist over US support for Kurdish-dominated groups in Syria. Syria
Whose ears burn most when Russia, Israel meet? Moscow has been hosting an array of dignitaries recently, leaving observers to speculate on the possible topics of conversation. Israel
