Smoke and flame rise after what fighters of the Syria Democratic Forces said were U.S.-led air strikes on the mills of Manbij, where Islamic State militants are positioned, in Aleppo Governorate, Syria. REUTERS/Rodi Said
Reuters: Obama, despite dissent on Syria, not shifting toward strikes on Assad
The U.S. administration sought on Friday to contain fallout from a leaked internal memo critical of its Syria policy, but showed no sign it was willing to consider military strikes against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces called for in the letter signed by dozens of U.S. diplomats.
Several U.S. officials said that while the White House is prepared to hear the diplomats’ dissenting viewpoint, it is not expected to spur any changes in President Barack Obama’s approach to Syria in his final seven months in office.
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MIDDLE EAST
Iraqi PM declares victory over Islamic State in Falluja. Iraq faces more fighting to win Falluja: U.S. defense secretary.
Iraqi special forces enter center of IS-held Fallujah. IS conflict: Iraqi forces 'retake Falluja city hall'.
Russia strikes U.S.-backed rebels in Syria: U.S. official.
Saudi deputy crown prince requests meeting on Yemen with U.N. chief.
War rages in Yemen, despite UAE ceasing active military ops.
Ankara doesn't regret downing Russian jet despite reeling from the results.
Saudi Arabia upset after Hillary Clinton links oil kingdom to terrorism.
Fury erupts in Iran over vast salaries paid to government officials.
Middle East worst hit by rise in sand and dust storms.
ASIA
North Korea predicts war in August, says US planning a preemptive strike.
Tension prevails at Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Taliban reportedly use 'beautiful' boys to infiltrate, kill Afghanistan police.
China behaving like 'gangster' state with bookseller kidnap, say Hong Kong politicians.
South China Sea row: Where countries stand.
Nephew of China's former domestic security tsar jailed for graft.
North Korea ratifies UN convention against organized crime.
Gujarat riots: India court jails 11 for life over Gulbarg massacre.
AFRICA
UN troops sent to northwest Central African Republic after clashes.
2.7 million displaced in Niger need urgent aid.
EgyptAir crash: Second flight recorder recovered.
Boko Haram kills 18 women at a funeral in Nigeria.
U.N. peacekeepers kill seven Congo rebels amid inter-ethnic tensions.
US lawmakers mull train-and-equip plan to stabilize Libya.
Somalia: Number of child soldiers may top 5,000, UN reports.
Lord's Resistance Army rebels kidnap 17 in Central African Republic.
Egypt still off limits to Russian tourists as security situation unimproved.
65,000 rights complaints filed to Tunisia 'truth panel'.
EUROPE
Jo Cox killing: Investigators search for motive, Brexit campaign put on hold. Britain mourns murdered lawmaker, EU referendum campaign suspended.
Four servicemen, six militants killed in clashes in southern Russia: Ifax.
Putin says Russia will work with any US president.
Putin calls to improve ties with the EU despite sanctions.
Russia assails NATO's move to deploy troops near its border.
‘I don’t need war’: Bulgarian PM rules out joining NATO flotilla in Black Sea.
Bulgaria follows France and Netherlands in move to ban the veil.
French President Hollande leads tribute to police couple killed in terrorist knife attack.
Former Auschwitz guard Reinhold Hanning convicted.
Russian athletes to remain banned from international competition.
AMERICAS
Under pressure, US senators formulate gun control compromise.
Illegal families surge across US border; 2016 already worse than 2015.
Obama to meet Saudi deputy crown prince on Friday: White House. Saudi Prince meets with Obama, top officials.
Lootings soar in Venezuela amid food scarcity.
Guatemala ex-president and deputy face fresh corruption charges.
Peru prosecutor says Chavez, Brazil firms may have funded Humala.
Brazil's tourism minister resigns weeks before Olympics.
Several U.S. officials expelled from Nicaragua: State Department.
Fire burning in Santa Barbara County more than doubles to 4,000 acres overnight.
Flooded Canadian towns in gas heartland declare state of emergency.
WHO launches $121 million plan to combat Zika virus.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Iran shuts down news site after reporting Taliban emir held talks with officials.
CIA: Undaunted ISIS is expanding, focused on attacking West.
CIA head: No reduction in ISIS terror threat.
Declassified CIA file: Bin-Laden aide stopped providing intel after torture.
ISIS 'kill list' includes names of 151 Canadians.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Disney faces PR crisis, risk of legal action after gator attack.
China rules against Apple over iPhone patent claim.
Canada wildfires could still depress official oil inventories.
Microsoft to help track legalised marijuana sales.
1 comment:
Sulameini has completed his preparations. Iran now has US and Russian air support. They will attempt to wrest control of the Euphrates valley and it's road system from ISIS, more than likely somewhere north of Dar al Zor.
This may also signal the end of any substantial US backing of Ukraine in it's contest with Russia.
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