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
Analysis Unclear chains of command in Iran complicate Russia’s diplomatic play Multiple power centers in Tehran and the rising influence of the IRGC could complicate Moscow’s ties with Iran and its hopes of playing a mediating role in the conflict. By Anton Mardasov
Russia denied sharing intelligence with Iran in Trump call, Witkoff says Russia denied US reports that it may have provided Tehran with targeting information on American assets in the region. Iran
Putin becomes first to congratulate Mojtaba Khamenei: What to know Oman, Iraq, Azerbaijan and Armenia have all congratulated the Khamenei's son. Iran
Will road to Moscow lead Ankara to Damascus? Turkey has reportedly resorted to the same track II diplomacy to Damascus that it used to reconcile with Moscow. Syria
Are regional powers finally reaching consensus on Syria? Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Jaberi Ansari spoke to Iranian media about Syria after meeting with Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia's deputy foreign minister. Syria
What's next following Erdogan-Putin summit? Ankara was delighted with the recent Turkish-Russian summit, while Moscow sounded guardedly optimistic, but a true assessment of the meeting's implications will take time. Syria
Why Netanyahu's 'Asian option' is raising eyebrows in Israel With a difficult relationship between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Barack Obama as the backdrop, Netanyahu has invested obvious effort in getting closer to China and Russia. Israel
Russia-Turkey rapprochement has limits Russia and Turkey have made strides in improving their ties, but the relationship is going to need far more than the issuance of commemorative plates celebrating the Aug. 9 meeting of the countries' presidents in the Constantine Palace's Greek Room. Turkey
US election 2016: Can either candidate have a good week? Here's what happened on the campaign trail the week of Aug. 8. Syria
What will be Turkey's toll for a second chance with Russia? The presidents of both countries know a reconciliation with Russia won't come cheap for Turkey. Syria
Have Putin and Erdogan found common ground? At a meeting Aug. 9, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin seemed to have agreed on coordinating their country's roles in the Syrian conflict in light of the "common goal" they share. Turkey
Why Russia doesn't want Aleppo to fall Could Russia be seeing a stalemate in Aleppo as playing to its advantage? Syria
Obama: no safe haven for al-Qaeda in Syria The United States to continue "intense fire efforts" against terrorist group as US-Russia talks appear stalled; Is Muqtada al-Sadr losing the Iraqi street? Nouri al-Maliki plots his return. Iraq
Obama chides Russia, but will 'test' cooperation to curb Syria war US President Barack Obama on Aug. 4 criticized Russia for backing the Syrian regime’s advances on Aleppo, as US-Russian negotiations on possible deeper cooperation on Syria drag on without agreement. Syria
Iranian wrestlers go for the gold in Rio Iranian official says Iranian wrestlers’ “biggest challenge” at the Olympics will come from Russians and Americans. Russia
