Turkish airstrikes resume as allied Syrians take position near al-Bab

Determined to head off further expansion of a contiguous Kurdish-run zone along its borders, Turkey is counting on the rebels it's backing in Syria to take al-Bab.

Syria

Why Moscow won't recognize genocide against Yazidis in Iraq

The newly established Yazidi Congress in Russia is the first political platform uniting all Yazidis in their quest to urge Russia to recognize genocide against Yazidis in Sinjar, Iraq.

Iraq

'Putin's Rasputin' pushes Russian alliance in parliament visit to AKP

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party formally met with the Russian president’s special adviser Alexander Dugin, who was busy nurturing the seeds of Turkish suspicion of the United States long before the attempted coup and is now massaging the party's relations with Russia.

Turkey

The Russian-Iranian alliance that wasn't

Collaboration between Iran and Russia on regional matters is growing, but there are still major obstacles to a true Russian-Iranian alliance.

Russia

Russia emerges as a center of gravity for Israel

Given that Russia’s influence in the Middle East excluding Syria remains limited, Moscow is looking for other entry points — but can Israel offer such an opportunity?

Palestine

US cool to Russia pause in Aleppo strikes

Washington expressed skepticism about Russia’s plan to extend a pause in airstrikes on Aleppo until Nov. 4 so those needing medical care and opposition fighters could leave the city.

Syria

What is Turkey up to in northern Syria?

As Turkey advances in northern Syria as part of its Euphrates Shield offensive, taking control of al-Bab and Manbij would give Ankara access to the Aleppo front.

Iraq

Don’t expect IS fighters to flee en masse to Syria

The logistics of the battle for Mosul and beyond don’t point conclusively to the Islamic State taking the fight into Syria next.

Iraq

Iranian hard-liner hints Ahmadinejad not completely out of the game

An Iranian hard-line former MP reveals that Tehran Mayor and two-time presidential candidate Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf was barred from running in the 2009 presidential election — and that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad may not be completely out of the game.

Russia

Hariri reverses political slide by backing Aoun presidency

Saad Hariri’s success as prime minister will depend on new compact with Michel Aoun and Hezbollah, less so on Saudi Arabia; Al-Monitor breaks news of Russian draft plan for Syrian Kurdish autonomy; United States seeks ground force to isolate Raqqa.

Saudi Arabia

The many dimensions of Mosul, and what comes next

There's much more at play in Mosul than a campaign for its immediate liberation from the Islamic State.

Iraq

Russian-Palestinian relations better than during Soviet era

Russian-Palestinian relations remain strong at both the official and public level, as Moscow has always supported the Palestinians’ right to self-determination and regularly funds cultural centers in the Palestinian territories.

Palestine