(2020-02-07). Syria: With an Eye on Energy Dominance, Russia is Aligning with Israel Against Iran. mintpressnews.com 
In the second of a three-part series, Agha Hussein investigates Russia's financial motivation for teaming up with Israel and wealthy Gulf Arab states to curb Iran's influence in post-war Syria.
(2020-02-07). OPCW responds to Douma leaks… by arguing whistleblowers are not credible & calling for tighter internal security measures. rt.com 
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has said in a report that whistleblowers who raised concerns about the group's Douma probe are not credible, and called for new measures to prevent further leaks. | The international chemical weapons watchdog released its 'Independent Investigation into Possible Breaches of Confidentiality Report' on Thursday, in response to leaks from two former OPCW inspectors which put in question the organization's findings regarding an alleged chemical weapons attack in Douma, Syria in April 2018. | The OPCW claimed that the two individuals, identified as Ins…
(2020-02-07). Israeli airstrikes on Damascus suburbs put at risk civilian flight with 172 passengers on board — Russian MoD. rt.com 
Israeli strikes on Damascus suburbs put a civilian aircraft in serious danger and forced it to divert to Russia's Khmeimim airbase as the Syrian air defense was activated to repel the attack, the Russian military said. | An Airbus A320 flying from Tehran to the Syrian capital was forced to make an emergency landing following an Israeli missile attack, the Russian Defense Ministry said. It added that using civilian aircraft as a "shield" is "commonplace" for Israeli Air Force pilots. | The aircraft was about to land at Damascus International Airport, but was unable do so as the Syrian air defense systems engage…
(2020-02-07). 'Unplanned meetings on Syria convene when UN-recognized terrorists are under attack' — Russia's envoy to Security Council. rt.com 
As Damascus forces repel attacks in terrorist-held Idlib, emergency Security Council sessions are called along a familiar pattern, Russia's UN envoy said. | As "violence only to terrorize and subdue" broke out in Idlib, the US, France and Britain convened an impromptu UN Security Council meeting on Thursday. The American representative slammed what she called an "unjustified military offensive" launched by Syrian government forces to defeat armed radicals led by Syria's main al-Qaeda faction HTS — still better known as the al-Nusra Front despite multiple rebrandings. | Moscow's envoy to the international…
(2020-02-07). Britain's UN envoy Pierce named new ambassador to US. rt.com 
Britain has appointed Karen Pierce as the new ambassador to the United States. Pierce, who is currently ambassador to the United Nations, is the first woman to hold the job. | The appointment comes as Britain embarks on critical efforts to strike a trade deal with the US following its departure from the EU, AP said. It also follows an embarrassing spat over leaked memos that derailed her predecessor. | Former ambassador Kim Darroch, a veteran diplomat, resigned in July. President Donald Trump expressed fury when Darroch's unfiltered views on the US administration appeared in leaked diplomatic documents that we…
(2020-02-07). India's new ambassador to US confirmed by Trump in Oval Office credentials ceremony. rt.com 
India's ambassador-designate to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, was confirmed in the position after presenting his diplomatic credentials to President Donald Trump at a ceremony in Washington. | President Trump welcomed the career foreign service official back to the US capital on Thursday, wishing Sandhu success in his duties as ambassador and "fondly recalling" his friendship with this Indian counterpart, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian Embassy said in a statement. | Observing that the two leaders had moved New Delhi and Washington closer together, Sandhu said he was committed to strengthening a "str…
(2020-02-07). Break-up of Astana Partnership Was Inevitable. The Turkey-Russia Relation in Jeopardy? globalresearch.ca Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ordered his forces to strike Syrian army positions in retaliation for targeting a Turkish military convoy bound for the Saraqeb in Syria's north-western Idlib province. His forces obeyed on Monday and allegedly struck a …
(2020-02-07). Israeli Attack Endangers Civilian Aircraft in Damascus. telesurenglish.net A civilian aircraft flying from Tehran to Damascus narrowly avoided fire from Syria's air defense systems, which were activated in response to an Israeli missile attack on Friday. | RELATED: | Due to the Israeli strike, the aircraft, an Airbus A320, was unable to land at Damascus Airport and had to divert to Russia's Khmeimim airbase, the Russian Defense Ministry reported. | The surprise attack, which was made by four Isra…
(2020-02-07). Russia Says Israel Used Civilian Plane as Human Shield During Syria Strikes. theantimedia.com Russia accused Israel of "making a total mockery of the lives of hundreds of innocent civilians."
(2020-02-07). Syria and Turkey Face War as Syrian Arab Army Poised to Take Idlib. globalresearch.ca Tensions between Damascus and Ankara have never been higher over the past nine years. Turkey's
(2020-02-07). Expansion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Tehran Wants to Build "the Golden Ring" globalresearch.ca BRI-led Eurasian integration processes are one of the defining characteristics of contemporary International Relations, and the Golden Ring could eventually become the centerpiece of these efforts if Ambassador Hosseini's W-CPEC+ proposal succeeds, especially if it's done in parallel with N-CPEC+….
(2020-02-07). Turkey to hit back any attack in Syria, says Defense Ministry. yenisafak.com In the wake of Syrian regime attack on Turkish troops in Idlib, Turkey's Defense Ministry vowed to retaliate against any attack."All kind of attacks will to be retaliated in proportion, our observation posts [in Idlib] will continue their duties," Col. Olcay Denizer, a Defense Ministry spokesman, told a press briefing in the capital Ankara.On Monday, Assad regime attack in Idlib, northwestern Syria, martyred seven Turkish soldiers and one civilian contractor working with the Turkish military. Thirteen individuals were injured but are in good condition, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar had said.In retaliation…
(2020-02-07). Russian delegation to arrive in Ankara on Saturday to discuss Idlib: FM. yenisafak.com In the wake of the regime's attack on Turkish troops in Idlib, Syria, a Russian delegation is expected to arrive in Ankara on Saturday to discuss the escalating situation, Turkey's foreign minister said on Friday.The announcement by Mevlut Cavusoglu came at a joint news conference in the capital city with his Slovakian counterpart Miroslav Lajcak.Earlier this week, Syrian regime forces attacks killed seven Turkish soldiers and one civilian. In retaliation, the Turkish military targeted more than 50 positions and neutralized over 70 regime troops, according to Defense Minister Hulusi Akar.Cavusoglu said Turkey, wh…
(2020-02-07). Shamima Begum Loses Appeal Against Stripping of Her Citizenship. sputniknews.com In February 2019 Home Secretary Sajid Javid stripped Begum of her citizenship using powers which don't require a criminal charge or conviction. Her lawyers argued that this decision was unlawful because it left her stateless and languishing in a refugee camp in Syria.
(2020-02-07). Turkey Deploys Special Forces to Observation Posts in Idlib – Reports. sputniknews.com Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that agreements relating to Syria's Idlib and the area east of the Euphrates did not work.
(2020-02-06). Syrian Army's Offensive in Idlib Deepens Rift Between Russia and Turkey. globalresearch.ca Major strains are appearing in Russian-Turkish relations, particularly over the Syrian Army's latest offensive against Turkish-backed jihadists in Idlib and Russia's non-agreeance with Turkey's support for the Muslim Brotherhood government based in the Libyan capital of Tripoli. Last week Turkish…
(2020-02-06). Video: Syrian Army Advance in Idlib Province. Netanyahu and Erdogan to the Rescue of Al Qaeda. globalresearch.ca In Greater Idlib the defences of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and other favorites of the foreign powers supporting 'Syrian democracy' are collapsing. | On February 5, the Syrian Army, supported by Russian airpower, took control of a number of villages in southeastern …
(2020-02-06). Turkey Gives Assad Deadline to Pull Back or Face Military Action. theantimedia.com Turkey has given the Syrian government until the end of this month to withdraw from recently seized territory in Idlib province.
(2020-02-06). Syria: 'Massive waves of civilian displacement and loss of life must stop now': UN Special Envoy. news.un.org Air and ground strikes in the region of Idlib, northwest Syria, are causing "massive waves of civilian displacement and major loss of civilian life", causing unacceptable human suffering which must stop now, Geir Pedersen, the UN Special Envoy for Syria, told the Security Council on Thursday.
(2020-02-06). From the South: How Can the Brexit Affect Caribbean Nations?>. telesurenglish.net Caribbean nations will continue their relationship with the European Union (EU) under the terms of the new agreement, Caricom Ambassador to Haiti, Earl Huntley declared Thursday in a televised interview with TeleSUR's "From the South." | RELATED: | Just a week ago, the United Kingdom formalized its departure from the EU. This move brings forth some questions to areas where British influence is a historical fact. The Ca…
(2020-02-04). HuffPost UK editor works with gov't censorship program while smearing anti-war scholars as tools of Russia. thegrayzone.com HuffPost UK ran yet another hit piece smearing academic critics of the dirty war on Syria as Russian stooges. The…
(2020-02-04). Headlines for February 4, 2020. democracynow.org Delay in Iowa Democratic Primary Results Causes Confusion, Mixed Messages, Final Arguments Made in Impeachment Trial of President Trump Ahead of SOTU, Hong Kong Medical Workers Demand Border Closure as Coronavirus Claims Life of Hong Kong Man, Leaked Audio Shows Iran Knew It Downed Ukraine Jet Despite Early Denials, Syrian and Turkish Forces Escalate Attacks as Turkey Suffers First Losses from Direct Combat, Massachusetts Prisoners Allege Violent Retaliatory Abuse by Guards, Trial Begins For Ex-CIA Software Engineer Accused of "Vault 7" Leak, Weinstein Rape Accuser Breaks Down During Harsh Questioning, Shooting a…
(2020-02-03). ACLU: Trump Is Expanding His Racist Travel Ban, This Time Targeting Africans. democracynow.org 
The Trump administration has expanded its contested travel ban to six additional countries — most of which are African nations. Under the new restrictions, nationals of Nigeria, Eritrea, Myanmar and Kyrgyzstan will no longer be able to obtain visas to live and work in the U.S., while Sudan and Tanzania will no longer be able to participate in the diversity visa lottery program. The ban, commonly referred to as the "Muslim ban," already affects citizens from Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Venezuela and North Korea. The expansion is expected to affect more than 350 million people. Democrats say they will…
(2020-02-03). Headlines for February 3, 2020. democracynow.org GOP Refuses to Call Witnesses in Impeachment Trial, Paving Way for Trump's Acquittal, Iowa Caucuses Kick Off 2020 Elections as DNC Loosens Rules to Let Bloomberg into Debates, Trump Expands Racist, Anti-Muslim Travel Ban, Coronavirus Claims First Victim Outside of China as Death Toll Tops 360, Hospitals in Syria Targeted as 100,000s of Civilians Forced to Flee, Palestinian Authority Cuts Ties with U.S. and Israel over Trump Middle East Plan, Iraqi Protesters Slam Appointment of Establishment Prime Minister-Designate, Dept. of Defense: U.S. Dropped 7,500 Bombs on Afghanistan in 2019, 6 Indigenous Leaders Killed in…
(2020-02-03). Global initiative launched to keep top sports events safe from terrorism. news.un.org Representatives from international sporting federations and the private sector joined with ambassadors at UN Headquarters in New York on Monday to launch a global programme aimed at safeguarding major sporting events from terrorism-related threats.
(2020-02-02). Why aren't Americans rising up like the people of Chile and Lebanon? zcomm.org The tinder for a revolutionary movement is everywhere…
(2020-01-31). Headlines for January 31, 2020. democracynow.org Senate Poised to Acquit President Trump in Impeachment Trial, World Health Organization Declares International Public Health Emergency, U.S. Special Envoy Warns of International Crisis in Idlib, Syria, Britain Formally Withdrawing from European Union Tonight, Pentagon Deploys 1st Low-Yield Nuclear Warhead-Armed Submarine, Trump Admin Poised to Loosen Restrictions on Use of Landmines, Human Rights Groups Condemn Mexico for Crackdown on Central American Migrants, Mexican Butterfly Conservationist Found Dead, Bolivia's Movement for Socialism Candidate Luis Arce Returns to Bolivia, U.S. Pushes EU to End Ban on Chemic…