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
Iran FM meets Putin, Russia’s military intel chief as talks stall: What to know Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi headed to Russia following visits to Pakistan and Oman over the weekend as talks with Washington are at a standstill. Iran
Russia evacuates 160 staff from Iran's Bushehr plant: What to know The Kremlin says it is committed to maintaining energy cooperation with Iran amid strikes near the Bushehr nuclear power plant. Iran
Putin brings China into Middle East strategy Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to China highlights the convergence of interests of Moscow and Beijing in the Middle East. Russia
Hamas sees Russia visit as means to end regional isolation Hamas political bureau leader Khaled Meshaal will visit Moscow in the coming weeks, where he is expected to ask Russia to help restore Hamas' ties with Iran and to pressure Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to soften his opposition to the Islamist movement. Palestine
Russia, Turkey agree on Gulen Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu visited Moscow this week, where he found some common ground with the Russian government on Gulen, while continuing to disagree on Syria. Turkey
Russia rejects UN resolution as pretext to Syria 'intervention' Russia is standing by Syria, including its elections, and warning the United States and other members of the UN Security Council against the perils of "external intervention." Syria
Turkey-Azerbaijan pipeline offers alternative for Russian gas Ankara hopes the new pipeline, which could also carry Iranian natural gas, will break Russia’s stranglehold on natural gas prices. Turkey
Turkey's Circassians jangle Russian nerves Circassians in Turkey have grown bolder in speaking out about their 19th-century suffering and exile, irritating Russia and straining diaspora organizations. Turkey
Former UN Syria envoy says Iran plan on Syria 'worth discussing' In his first interview since resigning as the UN-Arab League special envoy for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi reflects on the reasons for the failure of the Geneva process and the prospects for a political solution in Syria. Syria
Erdogan under pressure over threat to Tatars in Ukraine Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is boxed in by a looming civil war in Ukraine and an intractable conflict in Syria. Syria
Russia stakes out Iranian market Both Russia and Iran see a shared interest in deepening economic ties, parallel to the P5+1 talks. Russia
What can we learn from Homs? Given the collapse of the Geneva process, and the Syrian government’s staying power, localized cease-fires may be the latest trend in the conflict. Iraq
Former US diplomat warns of possible 'grave mistake' in Syria Ryan Crocker, former US ambassador to Syria, Iraq and Lebanon, warns against a regime change plan that would depose the Alawite power structure in Syria and advises the Obama administration to contain the fighting by backing US regional allies, but not to intervene militarily. Syria
Israel takes strategic alliance with US for granted Israel’s neutrality toward the crisis in Ukraine is a dangerous precedent in Israel's relations with the US, when taking into account that it can exist without Russia’s help, but not without American support. Palestine
