Category: Middle East, North Africa

Nov. 4 Event on Capitol Hill: The Crisis in US-Russia Relations, from Ukraine to Syria

Events, Middle East, North Africa, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
U.S. Capitol in Bright Sunlight

From: “Sperling, Erik” <Erik.Sperling@mail.house.gov> Subject: Nov. 4 event on Capitol Hill: The Crisis in US-Russia Relations, from Ukraine to Syria Date: October 28, 2015 The Crisis in US-Russia Relations, from Ukraine to Syria: Is Congress Overlooking its Causes and Potential Solutions? Hosted by Rep. John Conyers, Jr., Rep. Ted Yoho, Rep. Charles Rangel, Rep. Steve Cohen, Rep. Jim Himes, Rep. […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , , , ,

Putin’s Mafia Statecraft

Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, Foreign Policy, Security, Visas, Middle East, North Africa, Military, NATO, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Spies, Spy Allegations, Syria, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
Vladimir Putin file photo with VOA logo; screen shot from video still

(RFE/RL – rferl.org – Brian Whitmore – October 27, 2015) In the past couple years, Russian hackers have launched attacks on a French television network, a German steelmaker, the Polish stock market, the White House, the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. State Department, and The New York Times. And according to press reports citing Western intelligence officials, the perpetrators […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Is Moscow looking to make Syria’s opposition a deal?

Middle East, North Africa, Military, Syria
Syria Map

A recent meeting between a Russian presidential envoy and a Syrian opposition leader in Cairo has sparked much rumor and speculation. RBTH has polled Russian observers for their views on the reasons behind the meeting with opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. (Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – Nadezhda Ustinova, Yekaterina Sinelschikova, RBTH – October 20, 2015) Speculation of […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , ,

Assad pays surprise visit to Moscow for Syria talks with Putin

Middle East, North Africa, Military, Syria
Syria Map

Syrian president thanks Russian leader for assistance in fight against ‘terrorists’. (Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – Igor Rozin, RBTH – October 21, 2015) Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad made an unexpected visit to Russia on Oct. 20 to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov revealed on Oct. 21. “The negotiations were rather long and […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , ,

RBTH: No common ground for Russia and U.S. on ISIS

Middle East, North Africa, Military, Syria, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Syria Map

Three weeks after Russia began bombing runs in Syria, American and Russian officials continue their disagreement about the goals of the campaign. (Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – Ilya Krol, Yekaterina Sinelschikova, RBTH – October 21, 2015) On Sept. 30, Russia’s air force began bombing targets in Syria. Since that day, Russian planes have made hundreds of sorties dropping […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , ,

Russia Says Fewer Air Strikes in Syria

Middle East, North Africa, Military, Syria
Syria Map

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Howard Amos – October 16, 2015) Disarray among the Islamic State terrorist organization has prompted a decrease in the number of sorties being flown by Russian jets in Syria, the Defense Ministry said Thursday. Russian planes flew 33 missions during the last 24 hours, according to the Defense Ministry, a sharp drop from the high […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , ,

TRANSCRIPT: Has Russia Gone Rogue? – Stephen Sestanovich Senate Testimony

Europe, EU, Middle East, North Africa, Syria, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
U.S. Capitol in Bright Sunlight

October 8, 2015 Prepared statement by Stephen Sestanovich, George F. Kennan Senior Fellow for Russian and Eurasian Studies Council on Foreign Relations Before the Committee on Armed Services United States Senate Hearing on Russian Strategy and Military Operation Chairman McCain, Senator Reed, Members of the Committee: Thank you for the opportunity to join your discussion today on Russian policy in […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , ,

Russia asks UK for assistance in establishing contacts with FSA

Middle East, North Africa, Military, Syria
Syria Map

MOSCOW. Oct 9 (Interfax) – Russian Ambassador to the UK Alexander Yakovenko has asked for assistance in establishing contacts with the Free Syrian Army (FSA) to coordinate efforts in the fight against the group Islamic State (ISIL, which is banned in Russia). “Dr Yakovenko also said that the Russian side would appreciate British assistance in establishing contacts with the “Free […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , ,

RBTH: Is Moscow planning ground operations in Syria?

Middle East, North Africa, Military, Syria
Syria Map

The Kremlin has declined to comment on a CNN report on the Russian Federation’s possible preparations for a ground operation in Syria. However, Russian observers interviewed by RBTH assert that Moscow will not want to get involved too deeply in the conflict and will limit itself to air strikes. (Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – Nikolay Surkov, RBTH – […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , ,

Antony Penaud: How the Economist changed its map of the Syrian conflict to make it look like Russia is bombing moderate rebels rather than al-Nusra

Middle East, North Africa, Military, Syria
Syria Map

Subject: How the Economist changed its map of the Syrian conflict to make it look like Russia is bombing moderate rebels rather than al-Nusra Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2015 From: Antony Penaud <antonypenaud@yahoo.fr> Antony Penaud completed his DPhil at the University of Oxford in 2000. His essays on Russia and Ukraine are on www/scribd.com/antonykharms. He is French and lives in […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , ,

Interfax: Over 70% of Russians back Russia’s air campaign against ISIL in Syria – poll

Middle East, North Africa, Military, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Syria
Syria Map

MOSCOW. Oct 8 (Interfax) – Seventy-two percent of Russian citizens interviewed by Levada Center sociologists have expressed their positive attitude toward Russia’s air campaign against Islamic State (ISIL) targets in Syria. Fourteen percent of respondents criticized these airstrikes and another 14% were unable to articulate their attitude to Russia’s air force operation in Syria. The survey was conducted in 46 […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , ,

Syria Air Strikes Raise Risk of Terror Attack in Russia, Experts Warn

Middle East, North Africa, Military, Terrorism
Syria Map

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Eva Hartog – October 6, 2015) According to textbooks on political violence, a terrorist attack requires the following key components: a target, an actor or actors, and motivations. The Kremlin’s decision to launch air strikes in Syria could raise the risk of terrorist attacks on Russian soil, security analysts said, as the move increases the […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , ,

RBTH: Syrian rebels ask U.S. for arms to defend against Russian strikes

Arms Trade, Military Aid, Middle East, North Africa, Military, Syria, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Syria Map

Representatives of “moderate” rebel groups in Syria opposed to the regime of Bashar al-Assad have asked the U.S. to supply them with surface-to-air missiles to counter Russian air strikes, American media have reported. Russian observers say this is unlikely but caution that arms may be supplied by the key regional sponsors of Syria’s opposition, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. (Russia Beyond […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , ,

NEWSLINK Militarytimes.com: “U.S. vs. Russia: What a war would look like between the world’s most fearsome militaries. Vladimir Putin’s brazen moves in Syria and Ukraine raise new questions about America’s contingency plans. Russia has big ambitions, growing capabilities”

Middle East, North Africa, Military, Newslinks, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
File Photo of F-22 Fighter and Ground Crew » Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , ,

Fragile calm holds in East Ukraine before four-way peace talks in Paris

Middle East, North Africa, Syria, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
Map of Ukraine, Including Crimea, and Neighbors, Including Russia

(Business New Europe – bne.eu – Graham Stack in Kyiv – October 2, 2015) Hopes for an end to 18 months of fighting in eastern Ukraine hinged on a meeting of the leaders of France, Germany, Ukraine and Russia in Paris on October 2, with breakthrough prospects enhanced by a recent ceasefire and withdrawal of tanks and other weapons from […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , , ,

Moscow Times: “Putin’s Use of Force In Syria Unlikely to Go Beyond Airstrikes”

Middle East, North Africa, Military, Syria, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Middle East Map

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Matthew Bodner – September 30, 2015) By providing Syrian President Bashar Assad’s military with material and logistical support, Moscow has committed itself to protecting his embattled regime, which has suffered a series of setbacks at the hands of the Islamic State and U.S.-backed opposition forces. But it remains unclear just how far Russian President Vladimir […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , ,

Interfax: Joint command in fight against ISIL unrealistic, but efforts on the ground should be coordinated – Lavrov

Middle East, North Africa, Military, Syria, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
File Photo of Bashar al-Assad and Sergei Lavrov

MOSCOW. Sept 29 (Interfax) – At their meeting in New York, the Russian and U.S. presidents did not discuss a coalition to fight the Islamic State (ISIL) group in ‘the classical sense of the word’, any joint command is unrealistic, but activities on the ground and airstrikes require coordination, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said. The Russian and U.S. […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , ,

NEWSLINK Christian Science Monitor: “At UN, Putin talks tough against IS. Will the West work with him? The Russian president bluntly blamed the US for the chaos in the Middle East. But his plan for an alliance against IS may still find some listeners in the West.”

Middle East, North Africa, Military, Newslinks, Russia & the West, Terrorism, United Nations, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Middle East Map » Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , , , ,

VIDEO: NEWSWATCH CBS News/60 Minutes: “All eyes on Putin: At a time of icy relations with the U.S., Russian President Vladimir Putin gives a rare — and surprising — interview to 60 Minutes”

Media, Internet, Social Media, Television, Middle East, North Africa, Military, Syria, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Vladimir Putin file photo with VOA logo; screen shot from video still

(CBS News – September 27, 2015) Charlie Rose interviews Russian President Vladimir Putin for 60 Minutes on CBS. Click here for CBS News transcript – “All eyes on Putin: At a time of icy relations with the U.S., Russian President Vladimir Putin gives a rare — and surprising — interview to 60 Minutes.” Embedded video below. View More: Newsmakers News|60 […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , ,

NEWSLINK The National Interest/Zalmay Khalilzad: “Face-to-Face: Obama Meets Putin. ‘The likelihood of negotiating settlements in Ukraine and Syria could be increased if President Obama uses the meeting with Putin to underscore a reality to Putin: Russia is exposed.'”

Middle East, North Africa, Military, Newslinks, Syria, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Putin and Obama with U.S. and Russian Flags

[featured image is file photo]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , ,

Putin looking limber for his UN Syria leap

Middle East, North Africa, Russian News, Syria, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Putin and Obama with U.S. and Russian Flags

(Business New Europe – bne.eu – MOSCOW BLOG: Ben Aris in Moscow – September 25, 2015) Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of a UN general assembly to be held in New York on September 28, their first meeting since 2013. The White House said Russian sanctions will be high on the […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , ,

Moscow Times: “Middle East Leaders Line Up for Putin”

Middle East, North Africa
Middle East Map

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Howard Amos – September 24, 2015) Turkish President Recep Erdogan on Wednesday became the third Middle Eastern leader in as many days to hold talks with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow as the Kremlin appears to be building its military capability inside war-torn Syria and looks for a more assertive role in the region. Putin […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , ,

Why Russia Is Expanding Its Naval Base in Syria

Middle East, North Africa, Military, Syria
File Photo of Russian naval vessel on Arctic Ocean

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Matthew Bodner – September 22, 2015) The Russian military is expanding its tiny naval facility at Tartus on the Syrian coast to handle bigger warships and transport vessels amid a general buildup of Russian forces in territory controlled by Syrian President Bashar Assad, the Kommersant newspaper reported Monday, citing military sources. The news broke as […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , ,

NEWSWATCH Wall Street Journal: “U.S. Weighs Talks With Russia on Military Activity in Syria. Pentagon leaders grilled over strategy to deal with regime of Bashar al-Assad.”

Middle East, North Africa, Military, Syria, Terrorism, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Syria Map

The Wall Street Journal reports on U.S. military and foreign policy responses to stepped-up Russian activity in Syria, including Congressional criticism of the Obama administration. The Obama administration is considering discussions with Russia on military activities Syria in what would mark a shift in approach as U.S. policy comes under growing criticism at home. * * * In a scorching […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , , , ,

Interfax: Moscow can neither confirm nor deny US special forces “on ground” in Syria

Middle East, North Africa, Syria
Syria Map

(Interfax – September 18, 2015) The Russian Foreign Ministry has not been able to either confirm or deny information that US special forces are present in Syria but it condemns coalition actions that have not been agreed with Damascus. “I cannot either confirm or deny this information but I can indeed say that all actions by the so-called coalition have […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , ,

The Logic and Risks Behind Russia’s Statelet Sponsorship

Foreign Policy, Security, Visas, Georgia, Middle East, North Africa, Military, Syria, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War

(Stratfor.com – Reva Bhalla – September 15, 2015) Mother Russia can be quite generous when it comes to her collection of statelets. In the early 1990s, when a broken Russia had no choice but to suck in her borders, a severely distracted Kremlin still found the time and money to promote and sponsor the fledgling breakaway territories of South Ossetia […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NEWSLINK The National Interest/Thomas Graham: “Russia’s Syria Surprise (And What America Should Do about It)”

Middle East, North Africa, Military, Newslinks, Syria, Terrorism, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Map of Area Spanning Portions of Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, highlighting military engagements against ISIL

[featured image is file photo] “Russian pride will not allow Moscow to join a U.S.-led coalition, but we should be able to work in parallel, coordinating air strikes and other actions for maximum effect in degrading ISIS.”

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , , , ,

RBTH: Moscow accused of obstructing Syrian chemical weapons dossier

Middle East, North Africa, Syria, WMD Proliferation
Syria Map

(Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – Alexey Timofeychev, RBTH – September 14, 2015) Russia has proposed extending the mandate of the UN mission on chemical weapons in Syria to Iraq, where it claims ISIS militants may be behind production. However, some media see this as Moscow diverting attention from the actions of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and delaying a […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , ,

No Reason for Russia to Deploy Troops to Syria, Experts Say

Middle East, North Africa, Military, Syria
Syria Map

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Daria Litvinova – September 8, 2015) Media reports of a Russian military presence in Syria have stirred high-profile accusations that Russia is reinforcing its support for Syrian President Bashar Assad, President Vladimir Putin’s long-term ally who has been battling opposition forces in his country since 2011. The reports, which are sketchy and not substantiated by […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , ,

Washington ups the ante with sanctions on Gazprom

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Iran, Iraq, Middle East, North Africa, Oil, Gas, Energy, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Gas Facility file photo

RBTH presents its weekly analytical program TROIKA REPORT, featuring a look at three of the most high-profile recent developments in international affairs. (Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – TROIKA REPORT: Sergey Strokan, Vladimir Mikheev – August 20, 2015) 1. Engaging the West U.S. sanctions on Gazprom: Washington ups the ante The recent move by the U.S. administration to restrict […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , ,

High-level Iranian and Saudi visits to Moscow raise speculation

Iran, Middle East, North Africa, Saudi Arabia
Middle East Map

Recent visits to Moscow by the Iranian and Saudi foreign ministers, alongside talks with representatives of the Syrian opposition, have raised speculation that Russia could be acting as a mediator between Iran and Saudi Arabia as the lifting of sanctions on Tehran leave the situation in the Middle East in a state of flux. (Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , ,

RBTH: How effective is Russian drive to combat ISIS recruiters?

Children, Adoptions, Orphans, Health, Epidemics, Substance Abuse, Iraq, Middle East, North Africa, Syria, Terrorism
Map of Area Spanning Portions of Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, highlighting military engagements against ISIL

People in both Russian diplomatic circles and the security forces have been describing Islamic State (ISIS) as a “real threat” for a long time now. On Aug. 1 a hotline will start working in Russia for those whose friends or family members have joined ISIS. With experts warning that ISIS cannot be defeated with force alone, RBTH found out what […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Saudi Arabia to invest $10bn in Russia via fund

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Middle East, North Africa
Middle East Map

(Business New Europe – bne.eu – bne IntelliNews – July 7, 2015) Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, a sovereign wealth fund, will invest $10bn in Russia via the government-run Russian Direct Invest Fund (RDIF), in what will be Saudi Arabia’s biggest ever investment in Russia. “This is a landmark transaction, one of the largest transactions in the realm of sovereign […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , ,
1 … 5 6 7 8 9 10