Russia’s internet law a ‘new level’ of censorship: RSF
A new law that went into effect in Russia on Friday takes ‘internet censorship in Russia to a new level,’ press freedom advocacy group Reporters without Borders (RSF) says.
Russia
Russian Nuclear Submarine Fires Intercontinental Missile For First Time
Russia’s Defense Ministry says it has test-launched a Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile from its most advanced nuclear-powered submarine for the first time, striking a target thousands of kilometers away.
Erdogan: Turkish-Russian Patrols Set to Begin in Syria
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkish-Russian joint military patrols will begin Friday in notheastern Syria, after the withdrawal of Syrian Kurdish fighters under an agreement between the two countries.
NATO Chief Calls For Russian Troop Withdrawal From Ukraine
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has welcomed the withdrawal of Ukrainian and Russia-backed separatist forces from a frontline area in eastern Ukraine, but reiterated calls for Moscow to ‘withdraw all their troops.’
Anti-Trump ‘Whistleblower’ Worked With DNC Operative Who Sought Dirt On Trump From Ukrainian Officials
A new report from RealClearInvestigations reveals that the anti-Trump ‘whistleblower’ who prompted the current impeachment proceedings against President Trump is a registered Democrat who worked with a Democratic National Committee opposition researcher who dug up dirt on the Trump campaign during the 2016 election.
Iran, Russia take aim at U.S. military presence near Syrian oilfields
Iran and Russia on Tuesday condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to maintain a military presence near oil fields in northeastern Syria, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov saying any exploitation of resources would be illegal.
Barr defends Durham probe, rips Comey FBI for ‘failure of leadership’
Attorney General Bill Barr, in an interview with Fox News, defended the independence and integrity of the politically contentious probe being led by U.S. Attorney John Durham into the handling of the Russia investigation – while taking a swipe at James Comey’s past leadership of the FBI.
US still pressing Turkey to nix Russian missile purchase, official says
The United States is still in talks with Turkey to get Ankara to ‘walk away’ from the Russian missile defense system it bought, a senior State Department official said on Friday, but warned Turkey that the risk of sanctions over the issue persisted.
Russia Will Test Its Ability to Disconnect from the Internet
Russia will test its internal RuNet network to see whether the country can function without the global internet, the Russian government announced Monday. The tests will begin after Nov. 1, recur at least annually, and possibly more frequently. It’s the latest move in a series of technical and policy steps intended to allow the Russian government to cut its citizens off from the rest of the world.
U.S. Justice Dept. review of origins of Russia probe now a criminal investigation: source
A U.S. Justice Department review of the origins of the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election is now a criminal investigation, a person familiar with the matter said on Thursday.
Pentagon Plans To Bolster Forces In Northeast Syria To Protect Oil Fields From Islamic State
The Pentagon says it will bolster the U.S. military presence in a northeastern region of Syria to prevent potentially resurgent Islamic State (IS) extremists from seizing the oil fields.
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.
Russia, Turkey reach deal to remove Kurdish YPG from Syria border
Syrian and Russian forces will deploy in northeast Syria to remove Kurdish YPG fighters and their weapons from the border with Turkey under a deal agreed on Tuesday which both Moscow and Ankara hailed as a triumph.
Durham’s probe into possible FBI misconduct expanded based on new evidence, sources say
U.S. Attorney John Durham’s investigation into the origins of the FBI’s 2016 Russia probe has expanded based on new evidence uncovered during a recent trip to Rome with Attorney General Bill Barr, sources told Fox News on Tuesday.
Turkey’s Erdogan Visits Putin For Syria Talks As U.S.-Brokered Cease-Fire Is Set To Expire
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on October 22 will hold discussions with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on developments in northeastern Syria, where Turkey has launched an offensive against Kurdish forces.
Germany Pitches Internationally-Controlled ‘Security Zone’ in Northern Syria
Germany should leverage its U.N. Security Council membership to push for an ‘internationally-controlled security zone’ in Syria, the country’s defense minister said on Monday.
Russia covered up explosion of Skyfall nuclear superweapon
Russia covered up the deadly nuclear reactor explosion in August during the salvage at sea of one of Vladimir Putin’s new superweapons, a nuclear-powered cruise missile called Skyfall, a senior State Department official disclosed.
Erdogan to discuss Syrian deployment in ‘safe zone’ with Putin next week
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday he would discuss the deployment of Syrian government forces in a planned ‘safe zone’ in northern Syria during talks with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin next week, but warned Ankara would ‘implement its own plans’ if a solution was not reached.
As US withdraws, Jerusalem spooked by Moscow’s growing control over Middle East
US President Donald Trump’s newly announced withdrawal of nearly all US troops from northern Syria has cemented Russia’s status as the predominant global military power actively engaged in the Middle East.
Russia Vows To Prevent Clashes Between Syrian, Turkish Armies
Russia says it won’t allow clashes between Turkish and Syrian forces as Turkey pressed its offensive against Kurdish forces in northern Syria.