Russia

Politics were played down when Russia brought former Soviet states into a trading bloc to counter the EU. But suspicions over deeper motives were there from the start. Sanctions are a major test.

Microsoft customers will no longer be able to renew services in Russia. Meanwhile, local substitutes like Astra, RedOS, and BaseAlt vie for a higher market share.

After almost three decades, Azerbaijan has restored its sovereignty over Karabakh. More than half of 120,000 or so Armenians have already left and many more are expected to follow.

A once-unshakeable alliance has been disrupted by a one-sided dependency and a feeling of unrepaid loyalty as Putin's invasion of Ukraine echoes through his near-neighbours as well as the wider world

In a region where wider geopolitical change is taking hold, speculation about the depth and purpose of Moscow's ties with Khartoum has deepened throughout the civil war. Al Majalla explains.

Moscow's edge over Kyiv has been its naval power, as Ukraine has virtually no navy. But over the past few weeks, a successful Ukrainian offensive has helped tip the scales in the conflict.

The SDF commander rejects demands to disband his forces and tells Al Majalla in an exclusive interview that US-Russian tension east of the Euphrates is 'under control'

With various regional and global players having vested interests in the South Caucasus, resolving the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan is ever more urgent. Al Majalla explains.

It can be argued that Russia's war on Ukraine started in 2008 when it invaded Georgie. Al Majalla explains why the South Caucasus is an important missing piece of the discussion.

For Russians looking to set up or move their businesses due to international sanctions, Armenia is an attractive option. However, the new influx of Russians has driven prices up in the country.