Trump, Turkey call for Russia to stop backing Syrian ‘atrocities’

After conversation with Erdogan, Trump urges Moscow-backed Syrian regime forces to end attacks on Idlib region, where Turkey has 12 observation posts AFPToday, 6:35 am WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump has called for Russia to end its support for the Syrian regime’s “atrocities” as he expressed US concern over violence in the Idlib region, […]

If Russia can’t curb Iran in Syria, the Saudis ask: How can Israel?

Feb 16, 2020 @ 13:04 The Saudi paper Sharq al-Awsat reported on Feb. 15 that the Russians had given up on curbing Iran’s military presence in Syria. It cited Saudi intelligence sources in eastern Syria where the Saudis took control of Syria’s eastern oil region in December under the US aegis. Those sources wonder how […]

Turkey delivered tanks and anti-aircraft missiles to jihadists: Russian media

2020-02-15     /* custom css */ .td_uid_6_5e47f1023d048_rand.td-a-rec-img { text-align: left; } .td_uid_6_5e47f1023d048_rand.td-a-rec-img img { margin: 0 auto 0 0; } BEIRUT, LEBANON (3:00 P.M.) – Russian agencies quoted a government source as saying on Saturday that Turkey had delivered to Idlib more than 70 tanks, about 200 armored vehicles and 80 cannons, indicating that […]

Erdogan blames Russia for bloodbath in Syria

Erdogan blames Russia for bloodbath in Syria  Thursday, February 13, 2020 8:00:00 AM     On February 12, Turkish President Recep Erdogan blamed Russia for the “bloodbaths” occurring while it supports the Assad regime, Radio Liberty reports. The Turkish leader is threatening to destroy the forces of the Syrian regime “everywhere”, if Turkish soldiers are […]

Too little, too late in Syria, where Turkey undermined the rebellion

By Seth J. Frantzman, opinion contributor — 02/13/20 04:00 PM EST Turkey began sending troops and armored vehicles into Syria’s northern Idlib province in early February in response to a Russian-backed Syrian regime offensive that has killed hundreds and displaced half a million people. Turkey’s moves were sparked by the deaths of eight Turkish soldiers […]

Russia-Turkey Syria talks end without result

 Wednesday, February 12, 2020 8:00:42 AM The Russian delegation which traveled to Ankara to discuss Turkey’s request to stop the Syrian government forces’ offensive against Idlib has now left Turkey, a source in diplomatic circles told Reuters. Apparently the two sides were unable to reach an agreement on how to put an end to the […]

Former Israeli defense official calls for joining of US and Russia to roll back Iran’s influence

Professor Rear Adm. (ret.) Shaul Chorev, former director-general of Israel’s Atomic Energy Commission, tells JNS that new types of diplomatic action could help prevent Tehran from turning Syria into a new battle front against Israel and expanding its influence across the region. Yaakov Lappin (February 12, 2020 / JNS) The next Israeli government should aim […]

Norway’s intelligence chief fears more accidents with Russia’s reactor-powered weapons systems

The new missiles and weapons systems under development in Russia. The Poseidon and Burevestnik are both powered by a small nuclear reactor. Illustration by the Norwegian Intelligence Service “We should expect development and testing of new, advanced weapons systems in the areas east of Norway. Several of these will have nuclear propulsion systems,” said Director […]

US seeks to pivot to Turkey-first policy on Syria

The US hopes to push Turkey to greater action against the Syrian regime and Russia in Syria’s northern Idlib province SETH J. FRANTZMAN FEBRUARY 12, 2020 09:57 The US has come with strong words in support of Turkey’s policies in northern Syria, hoping to push Turkey to greater action against the Syrian regime and Russia […]

Russian ambassador slams latest Israeli strikes on Syria

2020-02-10 BEIRUT, LEBANON (1:30 P.M.) – Russian Ambassador to Syria Alexander Yevimov said on Monday that the Israeli raids are dangerous and increase the possibility of conflict in Syria. Yevimov said in an interview with Sputnik Arabic that “the Israeli raids are, of course, provocative and very dangerous for the situation in Syria. The rockets […]

Russia calls planned U.S. exit from nuclear weapons treaty ‘dangerous’

By REUTERS October 21, 2018 11:11   Washington’s planned withdrawal from the international Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty would be a very dangerous step, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying by TASS news agency on Sunday. President Donald Trump said on Saturday the United States would exit the Cold-War era treaty that […]

Merkel: Moscow & West have common interest in fighting terrorism

Published time: 18 Feb, 2017 08:44 German Chancellor Angela Merkel has pledged to remain committed to improving relations with Russia despite disagreements. She added that Russia and the West have a common interest in fighting terrorism. “Over the past 25 years, we haven’t been able to establish stable relations with Russia, but Russia is our neighbor, it’s an EU external border,” Merkel said as cited by TASS news agency. Merkel said she would not cease to be committed to maintaining good relations with Russia, despite differing opinions on various issues. In particular, Merkel said, “it is important… to go on …

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IS scored ‘opportunistic’ wins in Syria as Aleppo fell

AFP on December 24, 2016, 12:37 am Paris (AFP) – The Syrian regime’s all-out offensive to recapture Aleppo enabled the Islamic State group to regain territory elsewhere, including the historic city of Palmyra, and has dimmed prospects of defeating the jihadists, experts say. “The resources deployed (by Damascus and its allies) to retake Aleppo have allowed IS to claim a series of opportunistic victories” in Syria, said Charles Lister of the US think-tank Middle East Institute. During the assault by Syrian, Russian and Iranian forces on rebels in eastern Aleppo, IS jihadists recaptured the historic city of Palmyra on December …

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Syria Daily: Russia-Iran-Turkey Confer in Moscow Today

December 20,2016 Foreign and defense ministers of Russia, Iran, and Turkey will confer on Tuesday over the future of Syria. The talks, held in Moscow, spurred by the imminent occupation of all of Syria’s largest city Aleppo by foreign forces — including Iranian ground units and Iranian-led Iraqi and Afghan militia, supported by Russian airstrikes — alongside Assad regime units. Russia and Iran have been essential backers of President Assad since the uprising began in March 2011, while Turkey has supported the Syrian opposition and rebels. Relations between Moscow and Ankara were at breaking point in November 2015, after Turkish …

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