Russia to launch 3 Iranian satellites into orbit this month: What to know The upcoming launch will be the second time Russia’s Soyuz rockets have carried Iranian-made satellites into space. Iran
UAE, Russia host first joint business forum despite Ukraine war sanctions Trade between the two countries is projected to exceed $10 billion in 2025. United Arab Emirates
Analysis Russian leak signals Su-35s for Iran moving to production: What to know Recently leaked documents suggest 16 fighters are already on Russian assembly lines, with deliveries slated through 2027. For Tehran, it would be the first meaningful fighter upgrade in decades. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
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
Analysis Trump pursues Israeli-Syrian security pact with Sharaa, larger US military footprint By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iran continues dismantling JCPOA nuclear restrictions Tehran is launching construction work on the first of two new nuclear units in a $10 billion expansion of its power plant and has begun enriching uranium at a site formerly limited to research. Russia
Russia, Turkey plugging away at Syria's northeast, Idlib Amid complications with Turkey, Russia claims it stays the course in Syria. Syria
Russia faces dilemmas in northeastern Syria While it has added some fortifications, Moscow is challenged with new political and military uncertainty over Syria's northeast. Syria
Djerejian: In addressing uprisings in Middle East, first 'do no harm' Former US diplomat Edward Djerejian also sees opportunity for US diplomacy in Gulf crisis. Saudi Arabia
Turkey remains determined to keep Russian missiles After last week’s meeting between the US and Turkish presidents, some in Washington seem hopeful Turkey won't activate its Russian-made S-400 missile system, but Ankara insists Turkey didn’t buy the $2 billion weapons system to mothball it. Turkey
Congress moves to sanction Russians for mercenary surge in Libya The US National Security Council has begun a review of US policy involving Libya as a congressional bill seeks to sanction Russian mercenaries who have undertaken operations in the war-torn North African country. Libya
Did Turkey backstab Syrian opposition's National Army? Turkey's catch-and-release handling of 18 regime fighters captured by the Syrian opposition shocked many opposition forces. Syria
Russia seems set to establish new military base in northeast Syria Russia has been fortifying its military presence in Qamishli and appears to be constructing a military base there, its third in Syria. Syria
Million-dollar lobbying campaign against Kuwait suffers major setback A Kuwaiti court has sentenced a Russian businesswoman to 15 years of hard labor despite pressure from former US officials. Here's who's behind the campaign to release Marsha Lazareva. United Arab Emirates
Intel: What Russia’s defense minister is up to in Egypt Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is leading a military delegation to Egypt for the sixth session of the two countries' joint commission on defense cooperation. Egypt
Russia chides Turkey over Idlib — again Russia's foreign minister has demanded Turkey end tensions in Syria's Idlib, indicating Russia will continue to use Idlib as a pressure point to keep Ankara in line. Syria
Can Trump, Erdogan pick up the pieces in Syria? Putin gains from the fallout in US-Turkey ties and the Kurds are still counting on US influence with Ankara. Syria
