Analysis Turkey rebuffs air-defense criticism after drone shot down near Ankara The incident near the capital has sparked debate over response and raised questions over Turkey’s defense capabilities. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Iran appoints new air defense, air force chiefs in post-war shakeup The promotion of Brig. Gen. Alireza Elhami and Brig. Gen. Bahman Behmard follows Iran's efforts to rebuild its air defenses following the war with Israel in June. Iran
Analysis Iran’s FM Araghchi in Moscow as biting sanctions drive closer Russia ties The economic agenda of the meetings in Moscow and Tehran reflected a deliberate effort by both governments to signal momentum in a partnership increasingly shaped by isolation from the West. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
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
Analysis Russian leak signals Su-35s for Iran moving to production: What to know By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Why protests won’t change Iran’s foreign policy The recent wave of unrest in Iran is unlikely to change the calculations that underpin the Islamic Republic’s foreign policy. Russia
Russia, Iran in sync on preserving nuclear deal Russia's UN ambassador says the United States has "an irrational allergy" to Iran and should stop trying to constrain Tehran's influence in the Middle East by undermining the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Russia
Syrian Druze wary of Hezbollah, Iranian presence Since the Syrian war erupted, Iran has been trying to gain a foothold in Syria, most recently in the south, which includes trying to win over the local Druze community. Israel
Turkey calls on Russia, Iran to get Syrian army under control The Syrian army's attacks against armed groups at Idlib could ignite tensions between Russia and Turkey. Syria
Erdogan's border-security bluster a snarl at Moscow The Turkish president has renewed threats to move against Syrian Kurdish forces, playing to his nationalist base with promises to secure Turkey's borders, but is unlikely to take action yet for fear of Russian retaliation. Syria
Russian media tries to sort out source of attack on Syria air base Russia says it has increased security on its Khmeimim air base in Syria after a Dec. 31 attack on the base, one of the worst in the country's two-year involvement in the Syrian war. Syria
Russia sizes up Iranian protests Moscow is taking a low-key approach to the demonstrations in Iran, trying not to step on any toes while assessing how the unrest might affect Russia, as well as its efforts in Syria. Russia
Russia 'consulted, heard and feared' in the Middle East Moscow weighs benefits and risks of leverage and leadership in the Syria crisis and the Middle East peace process. Saudi Arabia
Struggle with Sochi guest list reflects animosities over Syria As Russia seeks to overcome Turkey’s objections to Kurdish participation in the planned Sochi conference, Moscow welcomed Kurdish commanders to assure them Kurds are not being excluded. Syria
What 2018 looks like for Russia, US regarding Syria Will US and Russian relations in the new year involve cooperation, confrontation or attempts to carefully balance both? Syria
Can Russian-Saudi unity extend beyond oil pact? Moscow and Riyadh are on the same page currently when it comes to oil, but it's unclear whether that understanding will last long enough to grease the wheels of further collaboration. Saudi Arabia
Russia to import Gaza strawberries for first time As Russia prepares to import strawberries from the Gaza Strip for the first time, farmers in Gaza are considering a commercial partnership to export other agricultural products in the future. Palestine
