Russia to eject U.S. diplomats in response to sanctions: agencies

In a move that comes as no surprise, the Russian government plans to expels U.S. diplomats in retaliation for the sanctions imposed by the Obama administration. Russia on Friday announced plans to expel 35 U.S. diplomats and ban U.S. diplomatic staff from using a dacha and a warehouse in Moscow in retaliation to Washington’s sanctions, […]

White House issues sanctions against Russia for election hacking, expels 35 diplomats

President Barack Obama issued a series of executive orders against Russian individuals and intelligence agencies on Thursday in retaliation for their efforts to influence and subvert November’s presidential election. “Russia’s cyberactivities were intended to influence the election, erode faith in US democratic institutions, sow doubt about the integrity of our electoral process, and undermine confidence […]

Putin’s perfect storm

One announcement came from Berlin. Another came from Washington. And they came weeks apart. German intelligence warned in late November that Russia had launched a campaign to meddle in upcoming elections to the Bundestag. And in early December, the CIA said it concluded that Moscow had already interfered in the U.S. presidential election. In any […]

Russia, Turkey: US supporting Syria ‘terrorist’ groups

Turkey and Russia have separately accused the United States of backing what they call “terrorist groups” in Syria, on the same day they agreed to push for talks in Kazakhstan next month over the conflict. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that he had evidence that US-led coalition forces give support to the […]

Syria conflict: Ceasefire agreed for midnight, backed by Russia and Turkey

The Syrian government and rebel groups have agreed to a ceasefire from midnight (22:00 GMT) across the country,followed by peace talks. The deal was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin and confirmed by the Turkish foreign ministry. Russia and Turkey, which back opposing sides in the bitter conflict, will act as guarantors. Turkey said all […]

Former Navy SEAL and CIA Officer’s take on the rift between Trump and the CIA

It is no secret that things have been “testy” recently, at least in public, between the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and the President-elect, Donald J. Trump.   To hear it spoken of in the media, you would think that the CIA is filled with Trump haters looking to stymie the newly elected incoming POTUS, and […]

Russia accuses US of committing hostile act for easing restrictions on arming rebels

Although the Syrian government has reclaimed the embattled city of Aleppo, civil war within the nation is far from over. On Christmas Eve, Russian airstrikes against several towns in rebel-held areas of the country were said to have injured and killed civilians, as reported by the U.S.-backed opposition group forced out of the city two days […]

McCain: The US should consider placing troops in Estonia permanently to deter Russia

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Sen. John McCain has pledged U.S. support to the security of Russia’s three Baltic neighbors amid worries that the United States may not be fully committed to the defense of NATO allies following statements by President-elect Donald Trump. McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said during a visit to […]

Russia calls U.S. move to better arm Syrian rebels a ‘hostile act’

Russia said on Tuesday that a U.S. decision to ease restrictions on arming Syrian rebels had opened the way for deliveries of shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, a move it said would directly threaten Russian forces in Syria. Moscow last year launched a campaign of air strikes in Syria to help President Bashar al-Assad and his forces […]

Turkey and Russia agree on draft Syria ceasefire, report says

Turkey and Russia have reportedly agreed on a draft nationwide ceasefire in Syria, the Turkish state-run news agency Anadolu said Wednesday. The report cited an unnamed source saying that Ankara and Moscow would try to bring a ceasefire into effect at midnight. It was not immediately clear if any of the Syrian rebel groups were […]