Russia

Shortly after Ukrainian drones destroyed or damaged dozens of Russian long-range bombers, the two warring parties sat down on the Bosphorus, discussing peace for the second time in two weeks.

Moscow's foreign minister has earned a reputation for being uncompromising and brusque but has also begrudgingly won the respect of many, even foes, for his professionalism

Washington and Moscow broke the ice in Riyadh in more ways than one, but Russia maintains the advantage in the world's northernmost region

These days, Cairo looks more to Beijing and Moscow than to Washington, a policy change with its roots in the toppling of Hosni Mubarak more than a decade ago.

Trump thinks that lifting sanctions and reintegrating Russia will weaken Moscow's alliance with Beijing. That is short-sighted. The world Henry Kissinger exploited in 1970 is no longer.

By placing conditions to ending the war, the Russian president seems to be stretching the negotiations to bait Trump into maintaining pressure on Kyiv and weakening Europe

Some predict partition, others federalism or fragmentation. Amidst the competing interests of Arab states, Russia, the US, Israel, Iran, Türkiye, and Europe, Syria treads its own path

While some indicators are positive, others are troubling. The arrival of Donald Trump in the White House has given the Kremlin a political boost, and lifting sanctions will help, but it is no panacea.

Moscow's much smaller neighbours have been looking elsewhere for energy, trade, investment, and security. That is not in Russia's plans, but Putin knows the new US president is unlikely to help them.