The US has denounced Russia's policy of aiding the Syrian regime as "morally bankrupt," as tensions between Damascus and Ankara escalate over cargo seized from a Syrian passenger plane.
Buoyed by better poll numbers and a debate triumph, White House challenger Mitt Romney sought to build momentum Monday by vowing to restore strong US leadership in the Middle East.
Mitt Romney will call for a US change of course in the Middle East on Monday, saying President Barack Obama's muddled strategy has failed to confront the challenges of extremism.
US Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney attacked President Barack Obama's Middle East policy late Sunday, stepping up the pressure after a wave of anti-US protests in the Islamic world.
Australia said Tuesday its tough new policy to deter asylum-seekers by shipping them to small Pacific islands would take time to work, after the arrival of more than 1,000 boatpeople since it was adopted.