Iran's Arc of Influence

The penalties target the Basij volunteer militia and 20 businesses linked to it, but some of those firms have only tenuous ties to the paramilitary group.

Despite their contentious relationship, reconciliation may be on the horizon, driven by the need to contain their common rival: Iran.

After Syrian forces accidentally shot down a Russian plane while responding to an Israeli attack, Moscow is working to boost Syria's air defenses. But Israel won't back down.

It's still unclear who was behind the recent assault on a military parade, but Iranian officials have pointed the finger at rivals such as the United States and Saudi Arabia for backing local separatist groups.

A proposal for an agreement limited to curtailing Iran's nuclear and missile development could signal the White House's approach to replacing the JCPOA.

The United Nations' latest effort to ease the country's civil war was over before it even began, leaving the Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels to return to the battlefield – to the benefit of Iran and regional extremist groups.

Haider al-Abadi steps away from the fray after the country's top Shiite cleric dismisses him as a contender. Meanwhile, parliament prepares to convene amid uncertainty about who controls a majority.

Oman's neutrality is exasperating Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, but the sultanate will do everything in its power to maintain its independent foreign policy.

In an effort to deflect public anger, lawmakers have criticized the administration's economic management and shaken up the Cabinet.

Having achieved its primary goal in the country -- securing its position there and that of the current Syrian government -- Russia is moving on to a risky and complicated plan to promote its interests.