Russia’s Shoigu in Iran to signal support, urge restraint against Israel A top Russian security official visited Tehran as Iran says it "welcomes trilateral cooperation between Iran, Russia and China." Iran
Erdogan meets 'dear friend' Putin as Russia, Turkey eye cooperation on Syria The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to bilateral ties only days ahead of the NATO summit. Turkey
Hamas official in Russia, talks hostages, seeks Moscow mediation in cease-fire Russia is seeking the release of two of its citizens who are still being held in Gaza. The country hosted Palestinian reconciliation talks earlier this year. Palestine
Erdogan and Biden may meet at NATO's US summit in July, ambassador says Amid widening differences over Gaza, Turkey postponed in April the Turkish president’s visit to the White House that was planned for May. Turkey
Pentagon confirms talks to withdraw US troops from Niger Washington failed to reach a compromise with junta leaders in Niamey, as Russia continues to make gains across the Sahel. North Africa
Lawmakers urge Biden to help free Princeton researcher kidnapped in Iraq The State Department says it has urged senior Iraqi officials to locate and secure the release of Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli-Russian researcher believed to be held by Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah. Iraq
Northern Cyprus tightens property sales rules amid influx of Russian money Northern Cyprus seeks to tighten its laws on real estate purchases to foreigners amid allegations of Russian black money, Zionist plots and encouragement from Ankara. Turkey
US aims to keep troops in Niger despite junta decision on ending counterterrorism ties Niger’s ruling military junta announced Saturday it was cutting ties with US special operations forces, threatening to undermine a key point of US influence as Russia expands its military foothold across Central Africa. North Africa
Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, others shower Russia’s Putin with congratulatory messages Several leaders in the region have extended their congratulations to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin over his reelection, as Western countries condemned the Russian elections as unfair. Gulf
How Russia seeks to capitalize on US strikes in Yemen, Red Sea tensions Russia has maintained balanced relations in Yemen, while avoiding criticism of the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, even as its trade has been affected. Gulf
Iran, Russia, China conduct new military drills, defying Western pressure The exercise brought together the three countries' lead warships for the stated purpose of bolstering maritime security, while Tehran-backed Yemeni rebels continued to target international navigation in the wake of the Gaza war. Iran
Turkey’s Erdogan hosts Zelenskyy, hopeful on Ukraine-Russia compromise Zelenskyy’s visit to Turkey comes one week after that of Lavrov, and as Ankara is trying to find a compromise between Moscow and Kyiv on a Black Sea mechanism. Turkey
Analysis As Mali’s junta pokes at Algeria, what’s at stake for North Africa and Sahel? Three years after severing its ties with Morocco, Algeria faces challenges in its relations with Mali and other Sahel countries. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Iran, Algeria to build closer energy, tourism ties Europe is increasingly interested in Algeria as an alternative to Russia for gas supplies, while Iran is seeking to boost its own gas output amid continued US sanctions. Iran
What we know about Palestinian talks in Russia seeking unity The meeting, in which rival Palestinian factions endorsed unity under the PLO umbrella, follows the resignation of Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and comes as Russia is seeking a diplomatic role in the war. Palestine
As Palestinians head to Russia, Abbas ponders least bad option for PM A large Palestinian delegation will head to Moscow this week to try and reach consensus on a postwar government that could include Hamas representatives in an expanded Palestine Liberation Organization. Palestine
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