Vladimir Putin wants a stable Syria, with billions from abroad for his oligarch cronies to rebuild the country. But Assad’s infamy and the ayatollahs stand in the way. GAZIANTEP, Turkey—After five years of fighting to preserve Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, Russia now appears inclined to dispose of its infamous client. Assad’s persistent brutality and…
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss the situation in Syria with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan by phone later on Tuesday amid rising tensions over the Syrian province of Idlib, the TASS news agency cited the Kremlin as saying. Moscow said earlier on Tuesday that all attacks on Russian and Syrian government forces…
Turkish Army vehicles drive towards the Syrian border on Thursday CREDIT: BULENT KILIC/AFP Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to send “millions” of Syrian refugees to Europe in response to criticism of his military offensive into Kurdish-controlled northern Syria. Speaking to his party, Mr. Erdogan said Turkish forces had killed 109 “militants” since the operation began…
Russia, the United States and Israel are uniting against Iran, making it clear to Bashar Assad who will determine the future of the region. Smoke and fire following reported Syrian government forces’ bombardment on the town of Khan Sheikhun, Idlib, June 6, 2019. AFP “The world is watching this butchery. What is the purpose, what will…
Russia’s defense minister confirms delivery of the long-range surface-to-air missile to Syrian army. Russia, a key ally of Syrian government, joined the seven-year war in 2015 [File: Alexei Nikolsky/Reuters] Russia has completed the delivery of an S-300 surface-to-air missile system to the Syrian military as part of new security measures following the downing of a Russian plane last…
If there’s a clear indication that Israel intends to continue bombing Syria despite threats from Iran, this is it. Israel’s Arutz Sheva radio reported on Monday that the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had sent a clear message to Russia that it must not sell its advanced S-300 air defense system to the Syrian regime. This after Moscow…
Top NATO and Russian military commanders have agreed to meet. Here’s what they need to discuss. Coming to a negotiating table near your. Photographer: Sergei Grits/AFP/Getty Images When I served as Supreme Allied Commander at NATO from 2009 to 2013, I developed a friendly relationship with the head of the Russian armed forces, General Nikolai Makarov. He was…
Vladimir Putin may have been re-elected president of Russia on March 18, but he’s far from the grand master of geopolitical chess portrayed in the Western media. Whether bragging about Russia’s “invincible” new missile, playing coy over accusations that his hackers play games with foreign elections or that his spies murder opponents in faraway places, the Russian President…