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  • Vladimir Putin

Al Majalla

Putin foreshadowed the Ukraine war in 2008 meeting with Bush

Recently declassified meeting minutes between the two leaders show how Washington was well aware of Moscow's grievances over NATO expansion, but went ahead anyway

Samer Elias 07 January 2026
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov meets China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Moscow on 2 December 2025. Ambassador Sylvie Bermann thinks Donald Trump will not drive a wedge between Moscow and Beijing. AFP

French diplomat Sylvie Bermann: Trump won’t divide Russia and China

The experienced French envoy had front-row seats as relations between Beijing and Moscow blossomed, but as she recalls from her days studying in China: it wasn't always so.

Elie Kossaifi 11 December 2025

Putin's battlefield gains in Ukraine pay off

Fares Garabet 04 December 2025
The head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, Kirill Dmitriev,‬ speaks to the media ahead of his meeting with the US delegation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia‬, on 18 February 2025. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

Kirill Dmitriev: Russia oligarch-turned-Ukraine peace negotiator

His recent emergence as a key player in the Ukraine talks owes much to the close personal relationship he has developed with Trump envoy Steve Witkoff

Con Coughlin 30 November 2025

Trump-Putin summit: to meet or not to meet?

Fares Garabet 23 October 2025
In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends the Valdai Discussion Club meeting in Sochi on October 2, 2025. Mikhail METZEL / AFP

After Valdai: Putin moves from ideology to action

The Russian president says the next step is shaping a new construct—sovereignty as a service, as a resource, as an exportable value—which can already be seen in Africa

Sergey Eledinov 19 October 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa hold a meeting at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow on October 15, 2025. Alexander Zemlianichenko / AFP

Unpacking Sharaa's diplomatic overture to Putin

In Moscow, Syria's new president said he wants to restore and redefine relations with Russia—a former foe. But is this a genuine olive branch or a message to Washington?

Samer Elias 17 October 2025
Nash

The contours of Trump’s vision for Ukraine are emerging

Key pillars include a land-for-peace deal and European-led security guarantees aimed at reducing American involvement. However, given Moscow and Kyiv's rigid positions, the war is likely to drag on.

Robert Ford 01 September 2025
Nash

Broker or showman? Trump’s high-stakes Ukraine play

Can the strong yet temperamental broker reconcile the opposing forces in the Russia-Ukraine War?

Aqeel Abbas 30 August 2025
US President Donald Trump meets Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate for an end to the war in Ukraine in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Putin rides high after Alaska

Seven instances that showed the Russian leader had the upper hand during his meeting with Trump

Robert Ford 18 August 2025
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An Iranian holds a picture of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei; Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, killed by an Israeli air strike on September 27, 2024; and Iran Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani, killed by the US in January 2020. ATTA KENARE / AFP
Politics

Israel sharpens its focus amid growing unrest in Iran

11 January 2026

Last year's 12-day war with Iran was ostensibly aimed at its nuclear programme. This time, the regime is significantly weakened, presenting an opportunity Israel may feel it can't miss.

Michael Horowitz
Al Majalla
Politics

The Donroe Doctrine and the new hemispheric order

12 January 2026

Pressure builds on Venezuela after Trump appoints himself 'acting president'. With Colombia, Mexico and Cuba seemingly also in the line of fire, they will be closely watching what happens in Caracas.

Stefanie Butendieck Hijerra
Government forces patrol the Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhood after taking control of the area, following the collapse of an agreement between the Syrian government and the SDF, in Aleppo, Syria, on 10 January 2026. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
Politics

What next for Syria after tenuous Aleppo ceasefire?

10 January 2026

It remains unclear if Damascus's move to kick the Kurds out of Aleppo will pressure the SDF to implement the 10 March deal to integrate its forces into the Syrian army or harden its resolve to resist

Haid Haid
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan (L) gives a joint press conference with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty (R) at Tahrir Palace in the centre of Cairo on September 10, 2024. Khaled DESOUKI / AFP
Politics

Egypt steps up its balancing act amid Yemen rift

08 January 2026

The UAE backs southern Yemenis who want secession, while Saudi Arabia wants a unified Yemen. Egypt also favours unity, but is close to both Gulf states, putting it in a difficult position.

Amr Emam
Al Majalla
Documents & Memoirs

Putin foreshadowed the Ukraine war in 2008 meeting with Bush

06 January 2026

Recently declassified meeting minutes between the two leaders show how Washington was well aware of Moscow's grievances over NATO expansion, but went ahead anyway

Samer Elias

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OPINIONS

Venezuela tops global oil reserve rankings

Al Majalla - London
Al Majalla - London

The Donroe Doctrine and the new hemispheric order

Stefanie Butendieck Hijerra
Stefanie Butendieck Hijerra

Habib Abdulrab Sarori: the imperative of progress mirrors religious duty

Ali Almuqri
Ali Almuqri

The ‘Donroe Doctrine’ makes no sense

Stephen M. Walt
Stephen M. Walt
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