Spain Says Refuelling Request Withdrawn for Russian Warships

Russia has withdrawn a request for three warships to dock at the Spanish port of Ceuta for refuelling, following concern among Nato allies. The Spanish foreign ministry says the stopovers have now been cancelled. Spain had been under pressure from Nato allies not to allow the refuelling of the Russian warships bound for Syria. Russia’s […]

Syria airstrikes kill as many as 22, mostly children, outside school

Airstrikes in Syria killed up to 22 people, mostly children, on Wednesday when warplanes struck a residential area housing a school complex in the northern rebel-held province of Idlib, activists and rescue workers said. A team of first responders, the Syrian Civil Defense in Idlib, said 22 people were killed and at least 50 wounded […]

Why Turkey Is Bombing Anti-ISIS Fighters in Iraq, Syria

Turkey is a NATO partner that stands with U.S. troops on the battlefields of Syria and Iraq, but it’s an ally that’s increasingly turning its guns on fighters the U.S. sees as vital to crushing ISIS. On Wednesday, Turkey launched one of its biggest airstrikes in decades — bombing 18 positions in northern Syria and […]

U.N. Aborts Plan to Evacuate Patients From Aleppo, Blames All Parties

The United Nations has abandoned plans to evacuate patients from besieged rebel-held east Aleppo which it had hoped to accomplish during a three day lull in fighting last week, blaming all parties to the conflict for obstructing efforts. “The evacuations were obstructed by various factors, including delays in receiving the necessary approvals from local authorities […]

The Great Myth About U.S. Intervention in Syria

As the carnage in Syria continues with no end in sight, it is hardly surprising that many people are redoubling their efforts to get the United States to “do something.” Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (and likely the next U.S. president) has used the campaign trail to convey that she still supports a no-fly zone (or […]

Former Guantanamo inmate Jihad Diyab ‘to leave’ Uruguay

A former Guantanamo Bay prisoner who went on hunger strike in Uruguay to demand relocation to another country has ended his protest after receiving an offer, his supporters have said. Jihad Diyab, a Syrian, was one of a group of six Guantanamo detainees who were given asylum in Uruguay in 2014 as part of efforts […]

U.S. retaliates to Russian cyber aggression

Russia’s cyber attacks against the United States have run their course. Their ultimate miscalculation might be in their attempt to influence U.S. politics. In a recent interview, Vice President Joe Biden stated that the United States was going to retaliate to the recent onslaught of Russian cyber aggression. He mentioned it would be done at […]

Inquiry blames Syrian Military for another gas attack

An international inquiry has found that Syrian government forces were responsible for a third toxic gas attack, according to a confidential report submitted to the United Nations Security Council on Friday. The finding sets the stage for a showdown between Russia and Western members of the Council over how to respond. The fourth report from […]

Aleppo ceasefire at risk after Russia says rebels can be eliminated

The prospects of an extended humanitarian ceasefire in eastern Aleppo have diminished after Russian diplomats stressed the Syrian government was entitled to eliminate all rebels in the city, and not just the 1,000 jihadi fighters linked to al-Qaida. Russia has implemented a unilateral four-day ceasefire to allow humanitarian access, evacuation for the wounded and the […]

Is it possible to avert worsened sectarian violence in Iraq?

The battle to retake Mosul is underway and is being led by mostly Shia forces to expel ISIS. In doing so, they’ll free Sunnis – who may not like it. The sectarian violence after the battle got out of control it would spread into Syria – and vice versa. Because – the reality is – […]

Aleppo Is a ‘Slaughterhouse,’ Says U.N. Official Seeking War Crimes Inquiry

The top United Nations human rights official on Friday called the weekslong bombardment and siege of Aleppo “crimes of historic proportions” that had turned the ancient Syrian city into a “slaughterhouse.” As a “humanitarian pause” in attacks, declared unilaterally by Russia, entered a second day — and as residents of the besieged rebel-held eastern side […]

Russia and Syria end Aleppo airstrikes ahead of 8-hour lull

Russian and Syrian warplanes halted their airstrikes on Syria’s besieged city of Aleppo on Tuesday in preparation for a temporary pause in the military push that Moscow has announced for later in the week, the Russian defense minister said. According to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the halt in the strikes should help pave the way […]