Russia

Russia recalibrates coordination with new Israeli government in Syria

Anton Mardasov | Russia | Aug 2, 2021

Members of the Russian military attend a Russian-Syrian conference for the return of refugees, in Syria's capital Damascus, on July 26, 2021.

Russia tries to compete with US in Mideast weapons market

Russia's prospects in the Middle East arms market will depend on its ability to master fast production of the latest models of military equipment.

Kirill Semenov | Russia | Aug 2, 2021

A prototype of Russia's new Sukhoi Checkmate Fighter is on display during the presentation at the MAKS 2021 International Aviation and Space Salon, in Zhukovsky, outside Moscow, on July 20, 2021.

Kremlin's vaccine diplomacy finds trouble in Middle East

Deliveries of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine are as controversial as the vaccine itself.

Anton Mardasov | Russia | Jul 16, 2021

A picture taken on Dec. 4, 2020, shows the production of Russia's Gam-COVID-Vac vaccine against the coronavirus.

Confrontation between US, pro-Iranian groups in Syria and Iraq poses challenges for Russia

While Moscow does not yet have the resources to eliminate Iranian influence in Syria, it would be in its interests to at least prevent the expansion of the activities of pro-Iranian paramilitary structures.

Kirill Semenov | Syria | Jul 12, 2021

US soldiers stand near a Russian military vehicle in the Syrian town of al-Malikiyah (Derik), on June 3, 2020.

Iran to acquire Russian high-resolution recon satellite

Russia is set to give Iran a satellite that could spy on Tehran's potential military targets.

Al-Monitor Staff | Russia | Jun 11, 2021

Russia looks for way back into Yemen

Moscow appears to be making some tentative steps for a deeper engagement in the Yemen war.

Kirill Semenov | Russia | Jun 11, 2021

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov delivers a speech at the 2020 Munich Security Conference, Munich, Germany, Feb. 15, 2020.

US cranks up diplomacy with Russia to keep Syria’s last humanitarian aid corridor open

The fate of millions of Syrians hangs in the balance as Russia threatens to shut a crossing vital to humanitarian aid.

Amberin Zaman | Syria | Jun 7, 2021

International humanitarian aid trucks cross into Syria's northwestern Idlib province through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing with Turkey, on Sept. 7, 2020.

Will Syria come up in Biden-Putin summit?

US pressing to maintain humanitarian corridors into Syria; Erdogan’s issues with US Syria policy; UN envoy refers to Syria’s "tragic irony."

Week in Review | Russia | Jun 4, 2021

Russia reveals deployment of nuclear-capable bombers to Syria airbase

Moscow has reportedly landed Tupolev Tu-22 bombers at Syria's Hmeimim Air Base for the first time.

Jared Szuba | Syria | May 25, 2021

Russian Tupolev Tu-22M supersonic strategic bombers fly above the Kremlin in Moscow, on May 7, 2014, during a rehearsal of the Victory Day parade.

Moscow looks to expand role in Mideast peace process

Official Russian statements on the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas indicate Moscow is looking for a larger diplomatic role.

Samuel Ramani | Russia | May 24, 2021

ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO/AFP via Getty Images

Turkish-Russian ties marked more by rivalry than cooperation today

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan believed Russia would provide him leverage against the United States and Europe after Turkey’s ties with the West took a nosedive.

Semih Idiz | Turkey | Apr 26, 2021

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) speaks to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) as they attend a press conference on Oct. 10, 2016, in Istanbul. Putin visited Turkey for talks pushing forward ambitious joint energy projects as the two sides try to overcome a crisis in ties.

Taliban, Assad continue to unite Russia, Iran

While Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed ways to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal in his visit to Tehran this week, the topics of Syria and Afghanistan also featured prominently on the agenda.

Kirill Semenov | Russia | Apr 16, 2021

Russian FM’s visit to Egypt helps counter Erdogan’s regional moves

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's visit to Cairo is seen as a further cementing of increasing Russian-Egyptian ties and as a counterpoint to the Ukrainian president's visit to Turkey.

Kirill Semenov | Russia | Apr 14, 2021

US cooling could help Russia boost ties with Saudi Arabia

While Moscow realizes that it cannot replace the US role in the region, it’s hoping a cooling of ties between Washington and Riyadh will help bolster its own influence.

Kirill Semenov | Russia / Mideast | Mar 26, 2021

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L) and his Saudi counterpart Faisal Bin Farhan chat ahead of a joint press conference following their meeting in the capital Riyadh, on March 10, 2021.

The Takeaway: Israel: Deja vu, all over again

Netanyahu barely holds on, for now, with prospect of a fifth election. Elsewhere: Hezbollah in Moscow; Egypt’s matriarchal village; Turkey’s tanking stock market; GCC digs out of COVID debt; scrolls found in Israel’s "cave of horror"; and more!

Andrew Parasiliti, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Joe Snell | Russia | Mar 24, 2021

Russia

Russia recalibrates coordination with new Israeli government in Syria

Russia tries to compete with US in Mideast weapons market

Kremlin's vaccine diplomacy finds trouble in Middle East

Confrontation between US, pro-Iranian groups in Syria and Iraq poses challenges for Russia

Iran to acquire Russian high-resolution recon satellite

Russia looks for way back into Yemen

US cranks up diplomacy with Russia to keep Syria’s last humanitarian aid corridor open

Will Syria come up in Biden-Putin summit?

Russia reveals deployment of nuclear-capable bombers to Syria airbase

Moscow looks to expand role in Mideast peace process

Turkish-Russian ties marked more by rivalry than cooperation today

Taliban, Assad continue to unite Russia, Iran

Russian FM’s visit to Egypt helps counter Erdogan’s regional moves

US cooling could help Russia boost ties with Saudi Arabia

The Takeaway: Israel: Deja vu, all over again

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