BY Sir Tony Brenton With last month marking the first anniversary of the Russian annexation of Crimea, it seems a fitting time to assess the situation, says former UK ambassador to Russia Sir Tony Brenton. Despite odd renewed outbursts of fighting, the acute phase of the Ukraine crisis may …

By Matthew Bodner Moscow’s decision to lift its unilateral ban on exporting advanced S-300 air defense system to Iran will boost the Islamic republic’s air defense capabilities, but their military impact depends on the outcome of ongoing negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. The air defense systems, built by Russia’s largest defense contractor Almaz-Antey, are some of the most …

BY Vladimir Frolov The Kremlin is desperately seeking Western help, even calling upon U.S. President Obama to join the Normandy format, to pressure Kiev to reintegrate the separatist republics into a federalized Ukraine. Moscow is worried that Kiev is moving to jettison the separatist-controlled parts of the Donbass into a stable frozen conflict along the lines of the self-proclaimed republic of Transdnestr. …

By David Makovsky Israel’s next government may have a turbulent start given its relative lack of political moderates, but a rightward trajectory on settlements and other issues is not guaranteed. The preliminary outlines of Binyamin Netanyahu’s fourth coalition are beginning to take shape ahead of the May 7 deadline …

By Shahla Al Kli The Kurdistan region of Iraq is an island of stability in a sea of regional conflict. Since the 1990s, the Kurds have worked to establish a free and a functioning society. It is a model for successful political engagement by the United States in the …

By Dennis Ross Although Ayatollah Khamenei and the Revolutionary Guard oppose nuclear inspections, President Obama should stand tough because transparency is the only way to make the deal work. Should the framework understanding with Iran be finalized in a deal, its terms would give us high confidence that the …

A source in Syria told Sputnik that the Khorasan group, an al-Qaeda branch, that was allegedly weakened in September during US-led airstrikes in Syria against ISIL militant group and their allies, had never existed. The Khorasan group, an al-Qaeda branch, that was allegedly weakened in September during US-led airstrikes in Syria …

The European Union’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said she sees her main task in facilitating international negotiations on Iran’s controversial nuclear program. The foreign policy chief spoke to journalists ahead of a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. On Wednesday, she is set to hold talks with US Secretary of State John …

Together the United States and Iran could easily defeat Islamic State, but this victory would play into hands of Iran and its Middle Eastern allies and ruin Washington’s relations with Saudi Arabia and Israel, a US expert noted.  After United States military forces defeat Islamic State, Washington must …