Thousands of Iranian troops 'arrive in Syria' for Aleppo offensive by Reuters | US, Russia Holding Talks to Seal Air Safety Agreement in Syria - Voice of America | Russia's Lavrov says Washington declines deeper military talks on Syria - Reuters | Two Iranian Revolutionary Guards officers killed in Syria: Tasnim | U.S. to raise Iranian missile test at U.N. Security Council | China says not planning to send military forces to Syria | Turkey slams US over reported weapons supply to Syria Kurds by Associated Press
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- US, Russia Holding Talks to Seal Air Safety Agreement in Syria - Voice of America
- Russia's Lavrov says Washington declines deeper military talks on Syria - Reuters
- Two Iranian Revolutionary Guards officers killed in Syria: Tasnim
- Thousands of Iranian troops 'arrive in Syria' for Aleppo offensive by Reuters
- China says not planning to send military forces to Syria
- U.S. to raise Iranian missile test at U.N. Security Council
- Turkey slams US over reported weapons supply to Syria Kurds by Associated Press
Troops have joined the Syrian regime's military forces and Hizbollah allies in preparation for a ground attack in the Syrian city, say officials
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 Reuters |
Iranian MPs arrive in Damascus before joint offensive
Reuters DUBAI A delegation of Iranian lawmakers arrived in Damascus on Wednesday in the build-up to a joint operation against insurgents in northwest Syria, and said U.S.-led efforts to fight rebels had failed. The visit, led by the chairman of the Iranian ... Irans Losing Major Operatives in SyriaDaily Beast Report: Iran Terror Chief Soleimani Arrives In SyriaBreitbart News Iranian Commanders Killed in Syria as Assad, Allies AttackBloomberg KOIN.com -Business Insider -Al-Arabiya all 48 news articles » |
BEIJING (Reuters) - China said on Wednesday it had no plans to send its military to Syria to fight with Russian forces after reports in overseas media that it was planning to do so.
Hillary Clinton and her main rival Bernie Sanders clashed over key issues at the US Democratic presidential debate.
Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has complained to the U.S. ambassador about reports of possible weapons aid to Syrian Kurdish forces which are affiliated with Turkey’s Kurdish rebels.
A Ukrainian soldier has been killed and two wounded in restive eastern regions despite a cease-fire deal with separatist rebels.
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Tuesday on the NewsHour, we dig into the evidence of what shot down a Malaysian airliner. Also: How a possible Joe Biden run could influence the Democratic debate, a deadly surge of violence in Israel, a battle between government and tech companies over data, how Congo’s hope can be seen at the movies and a discussion about President Nixon’s deception.
Americans live in one of the richest countries in the world. So why are so many unhappy? Here's a look at five reasons why. Photo: Getty ImagesAP Top Stories by AssociatedPress
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Here are your top stories for Tuesday, October 13th: Investigators release a report on the crash of MH17; The brother of the Washington Post journalist imprisoned in Iran speaks out; Twitter is laying off employees; Playboy Magazine is covering up.
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AP’s commitment to independent, comprehensive journalism has deep roots. Founded in 1846, AP has covered all the major news events of the past 165 years, providing high-quality, informed reporting of everything from wars and elections to championship games and royal weddings. AP is the largest and most trusted source of independent news and information.
Today, AP employs the latest technology to collect and distribute content - we have daily uploads covering the latest and breaking news in the world of politics, sport and entertainment. Join us in a conversation about world events, the newsgathering process or whatever aspect of the news universe you find interesting or important. Subscribe: http://smarturl.it/AssociatedPress
In our news wrap Tuesday, U.S. and Russian jets reportedly flew within miles of each other over Syria on Saturday. Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed Washington for a lack of coordination the competing air campaigns. Also, the Taliban announced it is pulling back from the city of Kunduz.
In “The Last of the President’s Men,” journalist Bob Woodward offers a whole new understanding of Richard Nixon. Using interviews with Nixon’s deputy assistant, Alexander Butterfield, and thousands of documents, Woodward reveals previously unexplored sides of the president. Woodward and Butterfield discuss with Judy Woodruff the Nixon we didn’t see.
'Special Report's' Bret Baier profiles the Democratic presidential candidate
Watch Bret Baier talk about Apple News, Democrats, Elections, and Presidential Primaries on Presidential Contenders 2016 and Special Report.
Watch Bret Baier talk about Apple News, Democrats, Elections, and Presidential Primaries on Presidential Contenders 2016 and Special Report.
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This is why Russia is in Syria by Washington Post
The alliance between Russia and the regime of Bashar al-Assad goes back decades. Here's a bit of historical context that explains why Russia is fighting to prop up its closest ally in the Middle East.
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders discusses how he may vote on legalizing recreational marijuana.
Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders argued over the merits of a 1994 bill mandating background checks while O'Malley said Sanders could not attribute his past positions to the rural state he represents.
Families of MH17 victims are seeking compensation from Russia after an inquiry confirmed the missile that brought the plane down originated in Russia.
Russia continues to intensify its strike campaign against Islamic State in Syria, as the total number of bombings has risen to 88 per the last 24 hours.
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China is developing a nuclear-armed air-launched cruise missile as part of a military buildup of both its regional and long-range nuclear forces, according to a forthcoming congressional commission report.
A final draft of the annual report of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission presents a dire picture of advancing Chinese military capabilities and declining relations with the United States.
“U.S.-China security relations continued to deteriorate in 2015,” the report concludes. “China’s aggressive behavior in the South China Sea and its unremitting cyber espionage against the United States were the key drivers of growing distrust.”
The military buildup of high-tech weapons “makes clear that China seeks the capability to limit the U.S. military’s freedom of movement in the Western Pacific,” the report says.
On the regional nuclear buildup, the report says “China appears to be pursuing a theater nuclear capability in addition to the strategic nuclear capability it has maintained since it became a nuclear state in the 1960s.”
The growth in regional nuclear forces poses new dangers for a future conflict in the increasingly volatile Asia Pacific region, a zone where China added to destabilization through disputed maritime claims while seeking to drive U.S. forces out of the region.
“In a conflict, China’s maturing theater nuclear capability could provide it with the means to flexibly employ nuclear weapons to deescalate or otherwise shape the direction of conflict,” the report said.
Additionally, the commission report warns that the U.S. government’s passive approach to “massive” Chinese cyber attacks is likely to encourage further damaging cyber strikes on both government and private computer networks.
“The United States has relied on a passive defense, and the U.S. government has failed to create an overall strategy to counter the increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks on some of its most valuable technology,” the report said.
Among its recommendations, the report calls for Congress to pass laws allowing U.S. companies to conduct counter cyber attacks to punish Chinese and other cyber foes by stealing back or destroying stolen data or using cyber attacks to damage hackers and their gear. U.S. law currently prohibits such counterattacks.
China’s high-technology military buildup also includes an array of space weaponry that indicates Beijing is preparing for space warfare against U.S. satellites in a future conflict, according to the report.
A copy of the draft report was obtained by the Washington Free Beacon from the commission staff. The final report is not expected to change sharply from the draft and will be released formally next month, a spokesman said.
The report said that in the three years since coming to power, Chinese supreme leaders Xi Jinping made significant progress in consolidating power, including a purge in the military ostensibly aimed at countering corruption that also is part of police power consolidation.
China’s space weaponry includes two types of anti-satellite missiles for attacking low-earth and high-earth orbit, small orbiting attack satellites, electronic jammers, lasers, and cyber weapons capable of taking control of satellites.
“As China’s developmental counterspace capabilities become operational, China will be able to hold at risk U.S. national security satellites in every orbital regime,” the report states.
The annual report for the first time provides a detailed assessment of China’s large-scale nuclear and missile buildup that while remaining small in number is growing increasingly lethal and difficult to counter.
Still regarded as a minimal nuclear deterrent of some 250 warheads that would be used only after China is attacked by nuclear arms, the Chinese are developing new cruise and ballistic missiles to target U.S. forces in Asia and other regional states, as well as the continental United States.
The commission report also raises new questions about China’s so-called “no-first-use” doctrine of not being the first to use nuclear arms in a conflict. The report says Beijing appears to be reconsidering the doctrine and adopting a “launch-on-warning” system used by the United States and other nuclear powers. That doctrine calls for launching nuclear missiles and bombers before first being attacked.
China’s recent military parade marking the 70th anniversary of end of World War II included several new missiles, including the DF-26 intermediate-range missile that can be armed with both nuclear and conventional warheads.
“The parade highlighted the pace and sophistication of China’s missile modernization, and signaled to the world China’s seriousness about enhancing both its nuclear and conventional missile capabilities and its ability to hold adversary forces at greater distance and greater risk,” the report says.
Regarding the new cruise missile, the report states that China’s military is likely developing a nuclear-armed, air-launched cruise missile called the CJ-20 that will be outfitted on H-6 bombers, each of which can carry six of the missiles.
The long-range CJ-20 is a variant of the current DH-10 land-attack cruise missiles that is also nuclear-capable and “enhances the lethality of China’s air-launched cruise missile arsenal,” the report says.
The missile sharply increases the range of its missile forces to include the U.S. island of Guam, a major military hub.
“A nuclear-capable CJ-20 would indicate China is developing new, air-delivered theater nuclear strike capabilities, in addition to its formidable ballistic missile theater nuclear forces and the strategic nuclear strike capability it has maintained since it became a nuclear state,” the report said.
The missile also could be deployed on Chinese ships and submarines allowing it to target U.S. military facilities in Guam, Hawaii, and Diego Garcia, in the Indian Ocean.
China’s anti-ship cruise missile forces also have “advanced significantly,” the report said.
“Because there are doubts regarding whether U.S. Navy shipboard systems could reliably and adequately defend against intense salvos of China’s advanced Russian-made and indigenous [anti-ship cruise missiles], China’s advancing ASCM technologies are reason for concern,” the report states.
A chart in the report lists a total of 12 different cruise missiles, including the CJ-20, with ranges of between 62 miles and 932 miles.
“China is developing cruise missiles that are increasingly difficult for the U.S. military to detect and defend against,” the report said.
China’s ballistic missile forces also are growing more lethal with the addition of multiple warheads and precision guided warheads.
Beijing has 13 different ballistic missiles, both silo-based and road-mobile, with ranges of between 186 miles and 6,959 miles.
On China’s maritime disputes in the South China Sea, the report outlines new details of the military buildup on some of the 2,900 acres of islands created by Chinese dredging.
“China is building, expanding, and upgrading military and civilian infrastructure on the islands,” the report said. The construction included up to three airstrips, helipads, port facilities, radars, and satellite communication equipment, and antiaircraft and naval guns.”
The report said the island-building is part of a military plan the Pentagon calls “anti-access/area-denial” aimed at preventing U.S. forces, a presence of peace and stability for some 60 years, from operating.
Chinese military forces on the islands could be used to prevent a U.S. defense of Taiwan, as required under the 1972 Taiwan Relations Act.
On Taiwan, the report warned that growing anti-mainland sentiment on the island could lead to the election of a pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party president in January.
The military buildup is also taking place on islands in the East China Sea, where China is disputing Japan for control of the Senkaku islands.
One new exotic weapon mentioned in the report is the Aviation Industry Corp. of China’s high-altitude hypersonic unmanned aerial vehicle for regional strategic reconnaissance operations. Press reports indicate the drone will travel at up to three times the speed of sound at 95,000 feet.
On cyber, a section to be deleted from the final report said: “Evidence of Chinese cyber espionage against U.S. military and civilian government entities illustrates a focused, well resourced, and state-sponsored effort by China to secure an advantage in an evolving strategic competition with the United States. China has the resources and the demonstrated capability to extract sensitive data from U.S. agencies and steal defense technology and other secrets.”
A Pentagon report from January 2015 stated that the U.S. defense industry is vulnerable to Chinese cyber attacks noting “significant vulnerabilities on nearly every [Defense Department] acquisition program that underwent cyber security [operational test and evaluation] in [fiscal year] 2014.”
The post China Expanding Regional Nuclear Forces appeared first on Washington Free Beacon.
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October 14, 2015, 12:04 PM (IDT)
In an unusual warning, the EU’s flight safety regulator has said commercial flights between Europe and Asia face a serious threat from cruise missiles fired at Syria by Russian warships in the Caspian Sea. In response to the bulletin from the European Aviation Safety Agency, a number of airlines changed their flight routes this week, while others, including Cathay Pacific, announced the cancellation of flights through the hazardous area.
The US and Europe have long opted to stay largely on the sidelines in Syria. But now Russia has begun carrying out airstrikes in the country in support of autocrat Bashar Assad. The move is likely to have far-reaching consequences. By SPIEGEL Staff
 Bloomberg |
$50 Oil for 15 Years Isn't What Scares Bank of Russia Governor
Bloomberg Fifteen years of oil at $50 a barrel isn't the worst nightmare for Russian central bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina. “What worries me more is the pace of reforms in the economy that could stimulate private investment,” Nabiullina, 51, said in a ... and more » |
Sen. Bernie Sanders says he is tired of talking about Hillary Clinton's emails instead of focusing on income equality and other issues affecting Americans.
Syndicated columnist and Fox News contributor rates the presidential candidates' performances
Watch Charles Krauthammer and Megyn Kelly talk about Democrats, Elections, Presidential Debates, and Presidential Primaries on The Kelly File.
Watch Charles Krauthammer and Megyn Kelly talk about Democrats, Elections, Presidential Debates, and Presidential Primaries on The Kelly File.
Hillary Clinton, asked in the debate about the email controversy, said she’s “still standing.” Did her quick responses and support from Bernie Sanders help put the issue behind her? WSJ’s Jason Bellini has #TheShortAnswer. Image: AP
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 The Conversation UK |
What are Russia's grand designs in Central Asia?
The Conversation UK Even before the shock of the Taliban occupation of Kunduz in late September, Russian officials were concerned about the fragile security situation in northern Afghanistan, including the rise of Islamic State in northern Afghanistan and its potential ... and more » |
 CNBC |
Russia not to blame for oil glut: Energy minister
CNBC Russia is not to blame for a global glut in oil that has caused prices to slump over the last 16 months, and the country's energy minister pointed the finger at U.S. shale oil producers and the Organization of Petroleum-Exporting Countries (OPEC). A ... Russia abandons hope of oil price recovery and turns to the ploughTelegraph.co.uk all 968 news articles » |
CNBC |
We're not killing shale but won't cut output: Russia
CNBC Russia is not to blame for a global glut in oil that has caused prices to slump over the last 16 months, and the country's energy minister pointed the finger at U.S. shale oil producers and the Organization of Petroleum-Exporting Countries (OPEC). A ... Russia abandons hope of oil price recovery and turns to the ploughTelegraph.co.uk all 952 news articles » |
Wall Street Journal |
The US and Russia Are Planning Air Safety Talks After a Near-Miss in Syria
TIME As Russia continues to ramp up its military intervention in Syria, authorities in Moscow and Washington have planned talks on air safety protocol in the country to avert any accidental conflict. The dialogue, scheduled for Wednesday, comes in the wake ... US, Russia to Hold Third Round of Talks to Avoid Syria Campaign ConflictsWall Street Journal Syria conflict: US-Russia air safety talks after 'near miss'BBC News Top China paper says US, Russia playing Cold War game in SyriaReuters Yahoo News -Washington Post all 287 news articles » |
Многочисленные советники президента Обамы просто не смогли вскрыть «путинский гамбит». Как следствие, Б. Обама вынужден был выйти за трибуну Генеральной Ассамблеи ООН вооруженный только гримасами и никудышными извинениями за провальную американскую политику борьбы с террором, которая лишь способствовала его распространению, оставила за собой след из уничтоженных государств и спровоцировала крупнейший миграционный кризис в Европе со времен Второй мировой войны.
ВКС РФ нанесли удары по 86 объектам "Исламского государства"
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Подготовленный Россией проект договора по безопасности полетов в Сирии передан США
 Российская Газета |
Демократы США порекомендовали Сноудену остаться в России
Российская Газета Экс-сотруднику Агентства национальной безопасности США Эдварду Сноудену не следует возвращаться домой. Такую точку зрения озвучила кандидат в президенты США Хиллари Клинтон в ходе дебатов демократической партии. Не менее жесткую позицию в отношении ... Клинтон заявила, что Сноудену не следует возвращаться в СШАРИА Новости Хиллари Клинтон: Эдварду Сноудену не следует возвращаться в СШАКоммерсантъ Клинтон посоветовала Сноудену не возвращаться в СШАИзвестия Газета.Ru -Взгляд Все похожие статьи: 48 » |
US, Russia Holding Talks to Seal Air Safety Agreement in Syriaby webdesk@voanews.com (VOA News)
U.S. and Russian defense officials are holding more talks Wednesday on safety procedures for their crews flying missions over Syria. U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Tuesday that the discussions are progressing and that he expects an agreement "in very short order" to help prevent a potential mid-air disaster involving U.S. and Russian aircraft. "Even as we continue to disagree on Syria policy, we should be able to at least agree on making sure that airman are as safe as possible," Carter said at a news conference in Boston Tuesday. "Russia must act professionally in the skies over Syria and abide by basic safety procedures." Russia's Defense Ministry issued a statement Tuesday saying it had prepared suggestions and was sending a draft to the Americans. Carter also said the U.S. mission to bomb Islamic State targets in Syria will not change, but he urged the Russians to give up what he called their "failing strategy," saying it is "wrongheaded and strategically shortsighted." Meanwhile, U.N. envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura is pushing a separate effort to get the U.S. and Russia on the same page in working toward a broad political resolution to the crisis in Syria. He met with officials Tuesday in Moscow and is due to hold talks Wednesday in Washington. Aleppo offensive Russian airstrikes have helped Syrian government troops regain territory, while the U.S. has criticized its campaign as targeting mostly rebel fighters and not Islamic State militants. Reuters quoted two senior regional officials Tuesday saying the Syrian army will soon launch an offensive on the northern city of Aleppo along with Russian air support and fighters from the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Iran. The officials cited a "large mobilization" of Syrian troops and thousands of Iranians. Two prominent U.S. Senators used the report to further criticize what they have characterized as a weak policy in Syria from President Barack Obama. Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, who have promoted sending U.S. ground troops to Syria, said the Aleppo offensive "would be the latest low point for the administration's disgraceful Syria policy." Russian embassy bombed Also Tuesday, militants fired rockets at Russia's embassy in Damascus in what Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called an "act or terror" meant to intimidate those who support the fight against Islamic State. Two rockets struck the embassy compound while hundreds of people rallied outside in support of Russia. There is no word on damage or casualties. The attack is not the only backlash against Russia. Russian security officials said Monday they had arrested several people plotting to target the Moscow transportation system who had ties to the Islamic State group. 'Eye for an eye' An Islamic State spokesman posted an online message Tuesday "calling on Muslims everywhere" to launch a jihad against Russia and the U.S. "Russia will be defeated," IS spokesman Abu Mohamed al-Adnani said in a recording posted on line. Also, in an audio recording released Monday, Abu Mohamed al-Jolani, the head of Syria's al-Qaida affiliate, Al-Nusra Front, urged militants in the Caucasus to counter Moscow's air campaign by targeting Russians. "If the Russian army kills the people of Syria, then kill their people. And if they kill our soldiers, then kill their soldiers. An eye for an eye," al-Jolani said. State Department correspondent Pam Dockins contributed to this report.
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The Islamic State militant group has urged Muslims to launch a "holy war" against Russians and Americans.
Only the second known photograph of the Wild West gunslinger posing while playing croquet could fetch $5 million (£3.3 million) at auction
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U.S. Encouraging Iraqi Push Now To Retake Ramadi From ISby support@pangea-cms.com (RFE/RL)
The U.S. military is encouraging Iraqi forces to make a final push to recapture Ramadi from Islamic State militants who seized the Anbar provincial capital in May, a spokesman said October 13.
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Syrian Rebels Fear Unacceptable Peace Deal Proposalby webdesk@voanews.com (Jamie Dettmer)
U.S. officials say they can see no strategy behind Russia’s military intervention in Syria, just short-term buttressing of President Bashar al-Assad’s faltering armed forces that will fail and trap Moscow in a quagmire. Syrian opposition politicians, however, worry the Kremlin’s strategy is to maneuver the West into endorsing a peace plan that would end the Syrian revolution - and possibly lead to the breakup of Syria. In interviews with VOA, several opposition leaders said they fear Western fatigue and U.S. wariness over escalation will lead Washington and the European powers to agree on a peace deal, secured under pressure from the Russian military intervention, that would see the long-term survival of Assad’s authoritarian regime in Damascus. At root is the question of whether Assad would remain to oversee a political transition - a short-term solution that could quickly stretch into a long-term one, Syrian opposition leaders suspect. “What is the purpose of Assad staying for a transitional period?” asked Ahmad Tu’mah, the prime minister of the Syrian Interim Government that was set up by a coalition of Western-backed opposition factions. “How can a person who has murdered Syrian people have a role in peace making? What are the guarantees that he will not stay for a longer time than a transition? The regime wants to stay forever,” he said in an exclusive interview with VOA. “The Russians need to accept there is no future for Assad,” he added. What is making opposition leaders anxious is the shift they perceive in Western resolve about whether Assad would have to go before a transition and play no further part in governing the war-wracked country. “I am worried we will be presented with a fait accompli,” Gen. Salam Idris, a senior figure in the Western-backed Free Syrian Army. He says there are many plans being considered by Western officials — including ideas for partitioning Syria along sectarian and ethnic lines that would see parts of the country apportioned among Sunni Muslims, Kurds and Alawi, Assad’s minority sect, an offshoot of Shia Islam. Since Russia’s military intervention in Syria, Western leaders have wavered over Assad’s immediate personal future. “The few European leaders still holding a strong line on the necessity of Assad’s ouster appear increasingly isolated,” noted Benjamin Haddad and Hannah Thoburn, foreign policy scholars at the Hudson Institute, a research organization. Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron has gone back and forth, calling for Assad’s departure but undercutting his demand in a September 29 interview saying the Syrian autocrat might be able to stay to play a transitional role. The U.S. position has also appeared to shift, with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry saying on September 19 that Syria's president has to go, but the timing of his departure should be decided by negotiation. As far as Syrian opposition leaders are concerned, Assad’s departure isn’t a matter of debate. They point out that under the Geneva Communique, the internationally agreed-to road map for a Syrian political transition, they have the right to object to any names put forward to serve in a temporary post-conflict government — as does the Syrian government, which can oppose any names put forth by the opposition. And said Ahmad Tu’mah, “We clearly object to Assad.” Tu’mah drew some reassurance from U.S. President Barack Obama’s speech last month at the annual meeting of the U.N. General Assembly. In the address, the U.S. president excoriated Assad, saying, “there cannot be, after so much bloodshed, so much carnage, a return to the pre-war status quo.” Yet there was alarm, too, among opposition leaders when Obama added, “Realism also requires a managed transition away from Assad and to a new leader.” They argue a transition can only begin when Assad has gone, otherwise it won’t be a transition. Meanwhile, the more discussions occur between Secretary Kerry and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, the more anxious the leaders of the armed and political wings of the rebellion become. State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters in Washington on October 9 that Kerry and Lavrov will continue to hold discussions and talk with “Arab and our European allies and partners about the modalities of what a political transition could look like going forward." “At the very highest levels here at the State Department a political track is being pursued,” he said. Rebel leaders, though, are suspicious and say they place little faith at the moment in a political solution. Their alarm has also increased with Moscow’s courting of the Syrian Kurdish separatist group the U.S. has relied on as an ally in the fight against Islamic State extremists. The leftist group, the Democratic Union Party, or PYD, which has old ties with Moscow, has grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of Western backing for its ambition to carve out an independent Kurdish state along the border with Turkey. There is rising suspicion in the leadership of the mainly Sunni Arab Free Syrian Army, or FSA, that the Syrian Kurds may be ready to work with Russia - or use the threat of doing so to persuade Washington to endorse Kurdish autonomy in northeast Syria. In an October 1 interview with news site Al-Monitor, PYD leader Salih Muslim appeared to suggest his group may be seeking a strategic alliance with Assad and Russia in order to achieve autonomy. He said that if Turkey should attempt to intervene to prevent Kurdish ground movements aimed at carving out an independent state, Russia could “prevent Turkish intervention not to defend us [Kurds] but to defend Syria's border.”
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Putin Says U.S. Fails to Cooperate in Syriaby By NEIL MacFARQUHAR
President Vladimir V. Putin said some of Russia’s partners in Syria had “mush for brains” for failing to go along with all that Russia wanted to do.- Get link
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