Russia, Ukraine agree to ceasefire by year-end at Paris talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to implement a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine by year-end, following their first meeting on Monday at a summit in Paris mediated by France and Germany.

Despite setback, Kurds appear ready for Washington-Moscow spotlight

Syrian Kurdish leader General Mazlum Kobani was on the phone with the Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and got support from Washington on Wednesday, two weeks after it seemed his Syrian Democratic Forces were on the ropes against Turkey.

Hosting Pompeo amid concerns about policy in Syria, PM hails US-Israel alliance

Hosting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday as President Donald Trump’s policy changes on Syria spark concern among Israelis, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Pompeo and Trump for their ‘consistent support for Israel’ and hailed the strength of US-Israel ties. Commenting on the US-arranged ceasefire in Turkey’s offensive in Syria against Kurdish fighters, the prime minister said mildly that he hoped it would ‘turn out for the best.’

U.S. warns Assad against using chemical weapons

The U.S. State Department warned the Bashar al-Assad government in Syria that its military operations were being closely watched, specifically concerning allegations that it used chemical weapons against rebels.

Israeli military readies for potential violence during Nakba Day and Eurovision

Israeli security forces and communities near the Gaza border prepared for thousands of Palestinians to take part in Nakba Day demonstrations along the security fence surrounding the coastal enclave on Wednesday, though these were expected to be tamer than last year’s Nakba Day clashes in which protesters attempted to breach the security fence, threw explosives at Israeli troops and, in one case, shot at soldiers.

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