Chaotic mix of actors and interests in Syria war
Syria's brutal five-year war has turned increasingly messy tangle of internal and external players with their own multi-faceted agendas.
Ukraine to introduce embargo against Russian food: PM
Ukraine is responding to Moscow's food embargo with "mirror sanctions" of its own, Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk announced.
Israel probes video of Jewish extremists celebrating toddler death
Israeli authorities said Thursday they had opened an investigation into a video showing gun-wielding Jewish extremists at a wedding celebrating the death of a Palestinian toddler in a firebombing.
Putin: 'We don't want the USSR back but no one believes us'
Russia is not trying to bring back the USSR, President Vladimir Putin said in a documentary aired Sunday, but the problem is that "nobody wants to believe it"
EU may delay Russia sanctions decision to next week
EU nations may delay a decision on whether to roll over economic sanctions against Russia.
Turkey says not dependent on Russia for nuclear plant
Turkey insists it is not dependent on Russia to build its first nuclear power plant amid uncertainty over the $20 billion project.
Assad says enemies boosting his opponents
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said his enemies have increased support for rebels fighting his regime as loyalists backed by Russia and Iran push an offensive to regain lost territory.
Kerry, Lavrov speak by phone about Russia plane shootdown
Secretary of State John Kerry spoke by phone with Russia's foreign minister and urged a de-escalation of tensions after Turkey shot down a Russian warplane near the Turkey-Syria border.
Gazprom says halts Ukraine gas deliveries over Kiev non-payment
Russian state giant Gazprom said it had halted gas deliveries to Ukraine after Kiev failed to make upfront payments for more supplies.
Turkey seeks to ease tensions after downing of Russian warplane
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sought to play down tensions with Russia after Turkey's downing of a Russian warplane on the Syria border sparked fears among NATO allies of a wider conflict.
NATO head urges 'calm, de-escalation' after Russian plane downed
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said that the military alliance stands by key ally Turkey after it shot down a Russia fighter jet on the Syrian border but urged both sides to try to calm the crisis.
This is a point of no return in Syrian crisis: Yerlan Karin about Russian warplane shot down by Turkey
According to Kazakhstan’s political scientist and Director of Kazakhstani Institute of Strategic Studies Yerlan Karin, Russian plane shot down by Turkey is a point of no return in the Syrian crisis.
Hopes for Syria peace dim after Assad, Obama remarks
Hopes for a quick political transition in war-ravaged Syria dimmed as embattled President Bashar al-Assad threw cold water on an ambitious timetable agreed at international talks in Vienna.
Canada to send more military trainers to Iraq: Trudeau
Canada will send more military trainers to Iraq to drill local troops combatting the Islamic State group, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, while remaining committed to pulling out its fighter jets.
Israel condemns 'impudent' remarks by Swedish FM
Israel criticised "appallingly impudent" remarks by Sweden's foreign minister for drawing a parallel between the Paris attacks and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
France strikes IS bastion in Syria after Paris attack
Blasts shook the Islamic State group's Syrian stronghold Raqa as French air strikes hit weapons depots and a training camp in response to the attacks in Paris.
Turkey's Erdogan urges Syria safe zone ahead of G20
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on world leaders to rally behind Turkey's plan for a safe zone inside Syrian territory, days before it hosts the G20 summit.
Netanyahu says no immediate way forward for Mideast peace
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced pessimism about the prospect of peace with the Palestinians, suggesting the current stalemate was likely to remain in place.
Russian air strikes hit Syria's historic Palmyra region: Moscow
Russia's air force has struck the area around the Islamic State-held ancient city of Palmyra, as Moscow pressed on with its bombing campaign in Syria.
Vienna talks best chance to save Syria from 'hell': Kerry
US Secretary of State John Kerry warned that this week's international talks on the war in Syria will not find an immediate political solution but nevertheless represent the best hope available.
