Russian media leap on French presidential candidate with rumors and innuendo

MOSCOW — As seen through a Russian television set, the upcoming French elections are the dirtiest in history, a shameful public display of the cronyism and liberal decay that the Kremlin says are tearing Europe apart. “The stakes [of the election] are high, so they’re digging up kompromat on just about everyone,” said Dmitry Kiselyov, […]

Will the US lead at the UN or sit-out in protest?

President Trump has the power and weight of the United States to commandeer and steer the United Nations. It won’t be at his peril; leadership is critical in the body that hosts 193 member states. Not everyone has to love who is in charge, it’s more important that someone is leading the way. The U.S. Ambassador to […]

Amnesty International accuses Assad regime of mass executions in military prison

A report released by human rights group Amnesty International has accused the Assad regime of executing thousands of prisoners in mass hangings and conducting systematic torture in a military prison near Damascus. The executions took place over a four-year span, though the report indicated that torture and mass executions are likely ongoing. The organization has called on […]

Kazakh lawmaker calls Duma member’s remarks about ‘Russian Territories’ unacceptable

A senior Kazakh lawmaker has sharply criticized a Russian legislator who reportedly called for the return of what he said were “Russian territories temporarily taken by Kazakhstan.” In a statement made public on February 6, the chairman of the Kazakh parliament’s Committee for Foreign Ties, Defense, and Security, Maulen Ashimbaev, said that Russian State Duma […]

SOFREP reporting from Ukraine: The war heats up

On February 2nd, the war in Ukraine turned up a few notches. It would seem that the once frozen war is escalating back to the old days. With major shelling in Avdiivka and shelling near the port town of Mariupol. The Russian-backed rebels have some fire in their loins, and some people here in Kiev […]

Trump Administration looks at driving wedge between Russia and Iran

WASHINGTON—The Trump administration is exploring ways to break Russia’s military and diplomatic alliance with Iran in a bid to both end the Syrian conflict and bolster the fight against Islamic State, said senior administration, European and Arab officials involved in the policy discussions. The emerging strategy seeks to reconcile President Donald Trump’s seemingly contradictory vows […]

Past US relations with Ukraine, a diplomatic overview

The crisis in Ukraine is reaching a tipping point, and the U.S. is expected to act or draft policy concerning Ukraine. Russia may be testing the US, and our interest to intervene in Ukraine. If they discover we are not likely to act when they do – this behavior and their influence might expand. Russia […]

US Ambassador to the UN condemns Russia’s actions in Ukraine

US Ambassador Nikki Haley condemns Russian increased violence in eastern Ukraine that harmed and killed civilians in recent days. The remarks have come after increased attacks and mortar barrages. The UN, as well as the world at large, has taken notice of the increased military activity in eastern Ukraine. The UN security council is poised to […]

Lukashenka accuses Russia of ‘Grabbing Belarus by the throat’

MINSK – Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has lashed out at Russia, accusing his powerful neighbor of violating treaties and using its role as an energy supplier to “grab us by the throat.” Speaking to journalists in Minsk on February 3, Lukashenka harshly criticized Moscow’s recent decision to establish a “security zone” with border controls along […]

McCain says Russia testing U.S. in Ukraine, urges Trump to hit back

Russia is testing President Donald Trump with a surge of violence in eastern Ukraine and the U.S. president should give Ukraine the lethal aid it needs to defend against the attacks, Senator John McCain said in a letter to Trump on Thursday. Renewed violence flared this week between Moscow-backed rebels and Ukraine government forces that […]