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
Iran optimistic after Syrian forces retake Palmyra The recapture of Palmyra by the Syrian government has Iranian officials and media optimistic about the direction of Syria’s civil war. Syria
Kerry notes 'beneficial reduction' in Syrian violence Syrian cessation of hostilities holding at one month as Islamic State loses ground; Massoud Barzani says United States is turning a “blind eye” to Syrian Kurdish ally’s links to the Kurdistan Workers Party. Iraq
Is Iran becoming a major regional arms producer? If the current trajectory of arms deliveries continues, it appears that countries such as Iran, Russia and China are set to become the Middle East’s main weapons suppliers. Iraq
What Russia won by withdrawing from Syria Russian President Vladimir Putin’s drawdown of forces from Syria was carefully timed and shows Russia learned an important lesson in Afghanistan. Syria
How Tehran and Damascus view Russia’s latest Syria move Regardless of the partial Russian military withdrawal, it appears that other allies of the Syrian government are holding their ground. Lebanon
What Russia's withdrawal means for Syria conflict Opinions vary about the repercussions and motives behind Russian President Vladimir Putin’s partial withdrawal of Russian forces from Syria. Syria
What Russia's Syria shift means for Moscow-Riyadh ties Russia’s likely gradual and partial military withdrawal from Syria may minimize one of the irritants in the Russian-Saudi relationship, but it won’t address their fundamental differences. Saudi Arabia
Raqqa brigade continues to raise flag of Syrian revolution Abu Issa, commander of Liwa Thuwar al-Raqqa, spoke to Al-Monitor about the ongoing fight against the Islamic State and being committed to the principles of the Syrian revolution. Syria
How the PKK is entering energy wars The PKK has stepped up attacks on oil and gas pipelines in Turkey. Turkey
Is Putin trying to pressure Assad to negotiate? Since Russia announced its partial withdrawal of troops from Syria, Iranian commentators have been scrambling to explain the "surprising" decision. Russia
Can Israel influence the 'day after' in Syria? Israeli experts fear that the Russian pullout of Syria will provide Hezbollah with influence along the border of the Golan Heights. Israel
How Iran views the Russian withdrawal from Syria Iranian media and analysts speculate on Russia's sudden decision to pull some of its troops from Syria and what this means for the fate of the cease-fire. Syria
