Turkey moves ahead with Russian missile defense despite US pressure
Turkey plans on testing its Russian-bought S-400 missile defense system Monday.
Russia
Turkey to Test Russian S-400 Systems Despite US Pressure: Media
Turkish F-16 warplanes will fly over the country’s capital Ankara on Monday to test its new Russian S-400 missile defenses, Turkish media said, despite pressure from Washington for Turkey to drop the system.
Russia says it showed hypersonic nuclear missile system to U.S. inspectors
Russia’s Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday it had shown the country’s new Avangard nuclear missile system to US inspectors for the first time, a move Moscow said showed a key arms control treaty was still effective.
Showdown looms between Russia, West over Syria chemical weapons probe
Russia and the West are braced for a fresh showdown at the world’s chemical weapons watchdog this week over a new team that will name culprits for attacks in Syria for the first time.
Mueller lawyer with anti-Trump bias is ex-FBI official facing FISA criminal investigation
The FBI lawyer under criminal investigation for allegedly falsifying a document related to the surveillance of a Trump campaign adviser expressed negative opinions of President Trump in messages to colleagues.
U.S. Warns Turkey, Egypt About Purchase Of Russian Military Equipment
A senior State Department official has lashed out at Turkey and Egypt for military deals they have struck with Russia, warning of sanctions against the U.S. allies if they don’t reverse course.
Putin vows to perfect mystery rocket after engine blast
Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised to press on with the development of a nuclear-powered rocket believed to have been at the center of a deadly accident.
ISIS rebuilds in Syria after Turkish incursion and U.S. drawdown, Pentagon watchdog says
The Islamic State militant group used the drawdown of U.S. troops from Syria and the Turkish incursion to regroup and strengthen its abilities to plan terror attacks abroad — and will likely rebound from the death of leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, a new internal report from the Defense Department’s watchdog says.
Russia, Turkey reject US reversal of settlements stance
Russia and Turkey have rejected the United States declaration that it will no longer regard Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories as illegal.
Why not call it a ‘bribe’? Democrats have focus group-tested their impeachment strategy for maximum effect
NBC News and Reuters were savaged by the anti-Trump #Resistance this week for warning that Democrats would miss their opportunity to move public opinion in support of removing President Trump from office if the impeachment hearings fail to capture the attention of the general electorate.
China, Russia declare strategic alliance for ‘new era’
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin expressed solidarity during the BRICS Summit in Brazil this week, resuming a policy of closer cooperation marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
BRICS back Paris agreement, oppose Syria military solution
Members of the BRICS group of nations said Thursday that they are committed to implementing the Paris climate agreement and there cannot be a military solution to Syria’s conflict.
Franklin Graham calls on nation to pray for Trump as impeachment effort gains speed
Evangelist Franklin Graham is asking the nation to pray for President Trump as the impeachment inquiry continues, accompanied by nonstop media coverage.
Schiff rejects GOP demand for Hunter Biden and whistleblower to testify on impeachment
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff has added eight additional witnesses who will testify at public impeachment hearings this week, including Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman and diplomats Kurt Volker and Gordon Sondland.
Trump to address Kurds, Turkey’s Russian closeness with Erdogan at White House meeting
President Trump intends to confront Turkey’s president bluntly Wednesday about Ankara’s increasing coziness with Russia, and he will reject Turkish demands for the U.S. to stop cooperating with Kurdish forces in Syria, senior administration officials said Tuesday.
Assad: ‘Israel has conquered our land’
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad claimed Israel has ‘conquered’ Syrian land.
Russia reportedly in possession of advanced Israeli interceptor missile
Russia is in possession of an advanced Israeli interceptor missile that was launched last year in response to Syrian rocket fire, according to a Chinese news site.
Russia nixed arms sales to Israel’s enemies at its request, PM’s adviser says
Russia acquiesced to Israeli requests and canceled certain arms sales to regimes that are antagonistic toward Israel, an adviser to the prime minister said this week, according to the Ynet news site.
Russia Prepares Largest-Ever ‘Satan-2’ Ballistic Missile Tests
Russia is preparing to conduct at least five tests next year of its new ballistic missile that has been called the largest missile in history, the Vedomosti newspaper reported Wednesday.
Putin pledges to ‘do everything to protect Christians in the Middle East’
Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to protect Christians threatened by the conflict in Syria, appealing to the plight of religious minorities as justification for Russia’s involvement.