Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian deepened military ties between their countries on Friday by signing a 20-year strategic partnership that is likely to worry the West.

The United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom have imposed over 20,000 restrictions and sanctions on Russia, its leaders, its oligarchs, society, the economy itself and, of course, Putin.

WASHINGTON (United States) - President-elect Donald Trump holds MAGA rally day ahead inauguration ceremony (2000 GMT) PICTURE. VIDEO. LIVE VIDEO. ARLINGTON (United States) - President-elect Donald Trump participates in a Wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. PICTURE. VIDEO. LIVE VIDEO.

With an Israel-Hamas cease-fire set to begin, the shock waves from their war have reshaped the region in unexpected ways.

Reliance on Russia’s military offerings has become increasingly prevalent in parts of Africa, amid an aggressive push by Moscow to lessen Western influence on the continent.

The incoming Trump administration should encourage Central Asian states to take ownership of regional cooperation initiatives.

"In accordance with the Foreign Policy Concept, Russia prioritizes its activities, including in terms of ensuring national security," Maria Zakharova stressed

In addition, the Securities and Exchange Commission just sued Elon Musk, accusing him of not notifying that agency or shareholders of his purchases of Twitter shares in early 2022. They claim that, by hiding his accumulation of stock, Musk was able to buy the company on the cheap.

In one of his last interviews in office, Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas reflects on immigration’s role in Trump’s return to power and the relentless threats facing the homeland.

All three countries are adversaries of the United States, and Russia has used its ties with them to help blunt the impact of Western sanctions and boost its war effort in Ukraine. Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping met in Beijing on Feb.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will meet in Moscow to sign a partnership pact as the two nations brace for President-elect Trump's return.

Moscow accused Washington of playing a destabilizing role in the Southern Caucasus on Tuesday as Armenia and the United States prepared to sign a strategic partnership agreement. "The US has never played a particularly stabilizing role in the Southern Caucasus,