Saudi Arabia signs first visa-free travel agreement with Russia: What to know The deal will allow citizens of either country to enter visa-free for 90 days for tourism, business and family visits. Saudi Arabia
Egypt, Russia advance construction at Dabaa nuclear plant: What to know The Dabaa nuclear plant could help Egypt address its energy woes while boosting cooperation with Russia. Egypt
Analysis Trump pursues Israeli-Syrian security pact with Sharaa, larger US military footprint Israelis welcome the US effort but fear losing decision-making power and the ability to protect their interests as the US troop presence in the region looks set to further expand. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Russia, Iran to boost ties in ‘all areas’ as Tehran claims nuclear restrictions expired The cooperation pledges follow the weekend's joint letter from Russia, Iran and China to the UN, disputing the validity of reimposing sanctions on Iran. Iran
Analysis From flights to electricity grids, Turkey-Armenia ties slowly advance By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
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! Russia
Russian foreign minister’s visit aimed at challenging US influence in Gulf Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s recent visit to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar came amid uncertainty among these states about their future relations with the new US administration. Russia / Mideast
What's next for Russia’s relations with Hezbollah? A Hezbollah delegation visits Moscow, with Lebanese politics and stability and Syria's political future atop the agenda. Russia
Russia launches air campaign against Islamic State in Syrian desert Russian forces intensified their airstrikes against IS sites in Syria’s Badia with the aim of supporting the ground forces that failed to eliminate the organization or curb its spread. Syria
Israel's foreign minister continues anti-ICC campaign in Russia In his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi presented his stand against the International Criminal Court probe, a renewed Iran deal and the Iranian presence in Syria. Israel
Iran’s supreme leader authorized infowar campaign during US election Hezbollah and Russia also spread disinformation to try to influence the 2020 presidential election, a newly released US intelligence report says. Russia
Intel: US hinders Syria’s return ‘to normal,’ UAE foreign minister says Flanked by Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Abu Dhabi's top diplomat criticized the US-led campaign to economically isolate Syria under President Bashar al-Assad. United Arab Emirates
Oil prices continue to rise as Saudi Arabia and Russia talk production The price of Brent crude continued to increase above its pre-pandemic levels during the OPEC+ meeting Thursday. Legacy: Gulf
Sudan welcomes US, Russian navy ships amid strategic competition The rival powers are eyeing the fledgling democracy for a leg up on influence in East Africa Russia
The Israel-Russia-Syria deal: Cost, beneficiaries and future deals As Israel and Syria conclude a deal on the return of an Israeli woman from Syria, questions arise regarding the cost and what the future of such transactions with Russian mediation should be. Israel
Netanyahu’s friendship with Putin benefits Israel, but has limits Moscow played a central role in the release of the Israeli woman who crossed the border into Syria, but might prove less helpful on Iranian entrenchment in Syria or the Palestinian issue. Israel
Does ‘Syrian trio’ of Russia, Iran and Turkey have a future? There are signs that the Astana talks on the Syrian war — which began in 2017 and are sponsored by Moscow, Ankara and Tehran — have little prospect of making progress going forward. Syria
