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
What to expect from entente between Moscow, Ankara in Libya As Moscow intensifies its involvement in the Libyan conflict, the US State Department is stepping up pressure against Russian destabilization. Libya
US, Russian troops square off in northeast Syria as Kremlin eyes wider footprint US-Russian standoff near Derik, Syria, blocks traffic for hours before Russians return to Qamishli. Syria
Libya cease-fire 'failed completely,' says Russian Foreign Ministry A spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry blamed foreign interference for the prolonged conflict in Libya. Libya
What does Libya’s ‘Syrianization’ scenario mean for key actors? Turkey may have gotten kudos for tipping the balance in Libya, but Russian countermoves raise the prospect of Turkish collaboration with Russia in the North African country, which is not to the liking of countries that have been giving plaudits to Ankara. Syria
Russia to negotiate with Syria on more military bases: Interfax Russia, which currently has two permanent military facilities in Syria, will reportedly hold talks with Damascus over obtaining more. Syria
Report: Russia building new military base in northeast Syria The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the news coincides with tensions between Kurdish and Russian forces over the M4 highway. Syria
Intel: Trump administration defended Iran nuclear waivers as 'restrictions,' then ended them The Donald Trump administration ended sanctions waivers on Iranian nuclear facilities today — a mere two months after characterizing them as “restrictions” on Iran’s nuclear program. Russia
Putin appoints third special envoy to Syria Putin's decision to appoint a new special envoy for developing relations with Syria likely has several aims, including to balance military and diplomatic involvement in Russia's Syria policy. Syria
Intel: Russian jets intercept US Navy plane over eastern Mediterranean Two Russian fighter aircraft intercepted a US Navy patrol plane over the eastern Mediterranean. Syria
US warns of NATO security threat as Russian jets arrive in Libya The fighter aircraft were delivered via Syria, where they were reportedly painted "to camouflage their Russian origin." Turkey
US may try to raise the stakes for Russia in Syria The politics of humanitarian corridors; Hayat Tahrir al-Sham tries a shakedown in Idlib; Ben Caspit to interview former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Al-Monitor podcast. Syria
Is Turkey on moderation path in its foreign policy? Conciliatory messages coming out of Ankara recently may appear as an effort to moderate Turkish foreign policy vis-a-vis the United States, Europe and Israel, but they are likely to be just maneuvering to weather the many stalemates in Turkey's foreign ties. Egypt
