Middle East Policies - Page 660

December 20, 2015

Obama praises deal with Russia on Syria, but cautions that work remains

President Barack Obama praised an agreement reached Saturday between the U.S. and Russia, saying it offers a chance to destroy Syria's huge stockpile of chemical weapons and promises to end the threat the weapons pose to the region and the world as well as the Syrian people.

December 20, 2015

After strike deal on Syria, Kerry says him calling it impossible was 'diplomacy'

Secretary of State John Kerry said Saturday, after reaching a tentative agreement with Russia on disarming Syria of chemical weapons, that his earlier statement about the impossibility of such a plan was in fact “the language of diplomacy.”

December 20, 2015

US and Russia reach agreement in Syria weapons talks

After lasting late into Friday night, discussions enter a third day on Saturday with U.S. officials pointing to at least limited progress on some elements of a Russian proposal to inventory, isolate and eventually destroy Syria's chemical weapons stocks.

December 20, 2015

The mechanics, perils and pitfalls of destroying Assad’s chemical weapons arsenal

In all, the shared goal is to finalize the complete destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal by mid-2014. U.S. officials acknowledged that that timetable is “ambitious” and “daunting,” but reiterated that, with the Syrian regime’s full cooperation, it is “doable.” 

December 20, 2015

UN chief says Syria report will prove chemical weapons attack, as Assad ups demands

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Friday he expects a soon-to-be-released investigative report to show chemical weapons were used last month in Syria -- though U.S. officials claim it will not assign blame. 

December 20, 2015

Embattled Syria analyst vouched for rebel group that depicted burning US Capitol

Elizabeth O’Bagy, a pro-Syrian opposition analyst whose credibility has come under fire, might have even more explaining to do – as court documents show she once vouched for a rebel group whose website displayed extremist and anti-American images.

December 20, 2015

Tag-Team: Assad joins Putin in pressing Obama to drop Syria strike threat

Bashar Assad joined Vladimir Putin on Thursday in pressuring the Obama administration to abandon military threats against Syria, suggesting an emerging plan to have the Assad regime turn over its chemical weapons could only proceed if the U.S. backs down. 

December 20, 2015

White House puts Syria onus on Putin after Russian president pressures US in op-ed

Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Geneva Thursday for talks with his Russian counterpart as the White House attempted to put the onus on Russian President Vladimir Putin to resolve the ongoing crisis over chemical weapons use by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.  

December 20, 2015

Senate confirms nominee criticized for role in Benghazi response

The Senate on Thursday confirmed Victoria Nuland, President Barack Obama's choice as chief U.S. envoy for Europe who was widely criticized for her role in the talking points created after last year's deadly assault in Benghazi, Libya.

December 20, 2015

Sources: CIA delivering light weapons to Syrian rebels

The CIA has been delivering light machine guns and other small arms to Syrian rebels for several weeks, following President Obama's decision to arm the rebels.