Merkel, Macron Tell Putin They Are Ready to Facilitate Northwestern Syria De-Escalation Efforts

Clashes between government forces and militants backed by Turkey in the northwestern province of Idlib have intensified recently, while the Turkish forces have also carried out several strikes against the Syrian Arab Army. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron have said in a phone conversation with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin they are […]

Who’s afraid of Donald Trump in the Middle East?

DEBKAfile Exclusive Analysis December 19, 2016, 4:50 PM (IDT) Not much can be ascertained about President-elect Donald Trump’s administration future policies for the Middle East – any more than for most other parts of the world, except that his starting points are likely to be diametrically opposed to those of Barack Obama. It is all still in the making. The Russian policy he decides to pursue after he enters the White House and his administration is in place is as unfathomable as are the motives that led him to appoint his lawyer and close adviser, the pro-settlement David Friedman, as …

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