Iran Will Attend Friday’s Multilateral Talks on Syrian Conflict
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and his Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian will attend and participate in the next round of diplomatic talks in Vienna.
Tag: Russia
Russia Claims First Serviceman to Die in Syria Committed Suicide over Girlfriend
The Russian government is claiming 19-year-old Vadim Kostenko, a contract serviceman, committed suicide in Syria on Saturday over problems with a woman. His family is adamantly rejecting this version of events.
Free Syrian Army Disputes Claims It Has Discussed Military Cooperation with Moscow
The Free Syrian Army has been backed by Western powers until now and has been actively targeted by Russian airstrikes, but it has reportedly made overtures to Moscow to discuss military cooperation, or at least an end to Russian bombing of their positions.
U.S. May Deploy More Special Forces for Combat in Iraq and Syria
Reuters, citing two Obama Administration officials, reports that U.S. special operations in Iraq and Syria may occur in the near future.
ISIS Propaganda Manual Reveals Social Media Strategy
Supporters of the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) have released a new propaganda manual, titled Oh Media Correspondent, You Are the Mujahid, in an effort to amp up their already well-known social media and Internet presence.
Syria: Assad Regime Open to ‘Any Political Solution’ to Civil War
The office of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad issued a statement Tuesday claiming to welcome “any political solution” to the Syrian civil war, days after insisting that an election is out of the question until Assad achieves “victory over terrorism.”
World View: Russia’s Intervention in Syria Increases Saudi-Mideast Sectarian Tension
Contents: Sunni jihadist suicide bomber targets Shia mosque in Saudi Arabia; Russia’s military intervention in Syria inflames jihadists in Saudi Arabia
U.S. State Department: Iran ‘Destabilizing,’ ‘Unhelpful’ in Syria
United States State Department spokesman John Kirby called Iran’s “destabilizing activity” in Syria “unhelpful” but noted that the Islamic Republic would need to be more involved in the diplomatic process of achieving an end to the violence in the region sooner rather than later.
World View: U.S. Navy to Challenge China in the South China Sea Today
Contents: US Navy to challenge China in the South China Sea today; What was the purpose of Russia’s Caspian Sea cruise missile attack on Syria?; Insurers taking increasingly risky investment bets
Syria: Aleppo Civilians Claim Russia ‘Dropped Cluster Bombs over Us’
Syrian civilians have accused the Russian military of dropping “cluster bombs” while supporting the Bashar al-Assad regime’s offensive in northern Syria’s Aleppo province.
Russian Orthodox Church: Potato Chips Are Sinful
The Russian Orthodox Church declared eating unhealthy foods such as potato chips sinful this week. The statement follows a greater effort to encourage Russians not to consume Western foods.
U.S. Officials ‘Worried’ Russian Vessels Are Roaming Near Undersea Cable Wires
The Russian government is operating close to undersea cables, setting off alarms of American officials who believe the Kremlin could cut the lines if tensions continue to escalate.
Russian Officials Are Pushing Syria to Hold Elections
The Russian government wants Syria to hold presidential and parliamentary elections. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has allegedly stated he would rather wait until “terrorism” is eradicated from the country to hold elections again.
Assad Open to Elections in Syria, but Only After ‘Victory over Terrorism’
Russian lawmakers meeting with Syrian head of state Bashar al-Assad on Sunday claim he is open to holding elections that may result in his removal from power, but only after “terrorists”–a word Assad has often used as a blanket term for any Syrian opposition–are defeated.
World View: European Union Nations in Crisis Agree on Migration Plan for Refugees
Contents: Eurosceptic party in Poland wins election overwhelmingly; European Union nations in crisis agree on a migration plan for refugees; Hey kids, what time is it? In Turkey, it’s Erdogan Time!
Syrian Arab Fighters Complain Kurds Have Taken U.S. Ammo
A dispute has arisen in Syria over the disposition of a fifty-ton ammunition shipment from the United States, supposedly intended for Syrian Arab rebel groups. The munitions were instead taken by the Kurdish YPG militia, according to both Arab and Kurdish commanders, although the Pentagon officially insists the shipment reached its intended recipients.
Hillary: I Support Syria No-Fly Zone, But ‘That Doesn’t Mean’ Shooting At Aircraft That Violate It
Democratic presidential candidate former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated that while she supports a no-fly zone in Syria, “that doesn’t mean you shoot at every aircraft that might violate it the first or second time” in an interview broadcast
Putin: Assad Ready to Work with Rebels, Especially Kurds, Against ISIS
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that his Syrian counterpart, Bashar al-Assad, reacted “positively” to the idea of working with some rebel groups in the region against the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL), particularly the Kurds.
Poll: Public Sees Little Progress Against ISIS, Doubts Obama Has a Plan
The latest CNN/ORC International poll on the war against ISIS paints a glum portrait of a disillusioned public with no confidence in President Obama’s leadership and no sense that any progress is being made against the terror state.
Qatar Considers Military Intervention Against Assad Regime in Syria
Syrian rebels supporter Qatar said it is considering a direct military intervention in Syria following Russia’s airstrikes in support of dictator Bashar al-Assad but added that it still prefers a political solution to the civil war.
Turkish Government: Assad Can Stay in Syria (for Six Months)
The Turkish government made it known on Wednesday they could accept a transition period for Syria where President Bashar al-Assad stays in power for six months before another person takes over.
Vladimir Putin: U.S. Missile Defense System Threatens Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he has concerns that the U.S. ballistic missile defense system threatens Russia’s nuclear capability.
Analysis: Nearly 80 Percent of Russian Airstrikes In Syria Don’t Target ISIS
Almost four out of every five declared targets of Russian airstrikes in Syria are located in areas not held by the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL), according to an analysis of Russian Defense Ministry data by Reuters.
U.S. Condemns Russia’s ‘Red Carpet Welcome’ of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad
The White House has condemned Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad’s surprise visit to Moscow, chiding Vladimir Putin for rolling out a “red carpet welcome” for a leader “who has used chemical weapons against his own people.”
John Kerry to Discuss Syria Strategy with Russian Counterpart Sergei Lavrov
Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet in Vienna Friday to discuss Syria before they both meet with Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
