Middle Orient

Iran-Russia relations have entered a new era of mutual cooperation. Thanks to the war in Ukraine, Moscow and Tehran’s interests — whether military, economic or geopolitical — have aligned to an extent not seen for many decades. The contrast with the period before the Russian invasion of Ukraine is striking. …

Amidst festering economic crisis and political stalemate, Lebanese authorities have stepped up their efforts to remove Syrian refugees from the country. In recent weeks, hundreds have been arrested, detained, and summarily deported by Lebanon’s army intelligence unit. Since early April, the Lebanese army has conducted multiple raids across the country, …

In-depth: Egypt is investing in infrastructure to boost Gaza’s economy as part of a long-term ceasefire plan, with the besieged enclave’s gas resources central to Cairo’s strategy. The Egyptian government is busy building a seaport off the coast of Port Said, renovating the Arish International Airport, and paving the long …

Analysis: Sixteen years of Israel’s blockade of Gaza have shown that the policy has little to do with security and more to do with economic warfare, collective punishment, separation, and bargaining. In 1995, the New York Times eagerly interviewed Palestinians in Gaza to highlight the freedoms the Oslo peace accords …

Following his re-election, Erdogan reshuffled his cabinet, resulting in foreign and economic policy leadership changes. The new cabinet members are expected to strengthen Turkey’s international standing and address the country’s economic difficulties. Hakan Fidan, the newly appointed foreign minister of Turkey, is a highly influential former spymaster who has played …

The appointment of Ankara’s new envoy to Moscow coincided with the Kremlin’s announcement that the Russian president will soon visit Turkey. Newly appointed Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan named the ministry’s spokesperson Tanju Bilgic as his country’s new ambassador to Moscow on Friday, Turkey’s state-run Anadolu News Agency reported. Bilgic’s …

Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi also discussed Syria’s re-integration, prospects for normalization with Israel and talks to end Yemen’s war in an interview with Al-Monitor. Syria and the United States are exchanging messages with the help of Oman over the fate of missing American journalist Austin Tice, the Gulf …

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron called for a “rapid end to the institutional political vacuum in Lebanon” on Friday. Lebanese lawmakers on Wednesday failed for a 12th time to elect a new president, as bitter divisions between the Iran-backed Hezbollah and its opponents …

The visit will be the first in years during which Saudi Arabia and Iran were locked in a bitter conflict that has been felt across the region. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan will head to Tehran on Saturday, Iranian news outlets reported, in a historic visit after …

The Pentagon is upping the ante to deter the Kremlin’s provocations in Syria as both Russia and Iran seek to take advantage of a smaller US force fighting ISIS. The Pentagon has deployed advanced F-22 fighter jets to the Middle East in a bid to deter Russian military pilots’ increasing …