Syria – Idlib ceasefire holds. Turkey/Russia/Germany/France summit. Political agreement still elusive, many local problems.
Articles tagged: ‘Russia’
Syria: Putin, Erdoğan and an Ilyushin
Posted onPutin and Erdoğan agree a plan to avoid military action in Idlib, but the Idlib problem remains unsolved. Russian plane shot down by Asad forces, Putin cools it.
Idlib next
Posted onSyrian government assault on Idlib province begins. Warnings of a humanitarian catastrophe and talk of a chemical attack which would provoke US retaliation.
Lebanon: Syria, refugees, Russia
Posted onAs the Syrian war ends, Syria’s role in Lebanon reasserted. Russia supports return of refugees to Syria, accuses US of stalling.
Sudan: possible third term for Bashir
Posted onElections in 2020, but Bashir likely to remain. Fighting continues in three areas but at a reduced level. Frozen out by the West, flirtation with Moscow.
Syria: the endgame
Posted onSyrian government forces to target Idlib next. Complications with Israel, Iran, Turkey, Kurds, China, US, IS. Russia in the driving seat.
The hajj: the old and the new
Posted onThe hajj next week, with the Eid on 21 August. Health, innovation, politics, crime, devotion.
Saudi/Canada row: some lessons
Posted onDetails of the Saudi/Canada row clearer. Some lessons to be learned.
Jordan: King returns, action on the Syrian border
Posted onKing of Jordan returns from a long visit to the USA. New government faces old problems. Possible endgame in southern Syria.
Gas
Posted ondifferent from oil. Vitally important to some MENA economies – Qatar, Algeria, Oman, Bahrain, Egypt.