Israel and Iran both set to join Russia-led free trade zone
Israel is set to sign a free-trade agreement with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union in the near future, according to officials in Moscow and Jerusalem.
Russia
House Democrats planning expansive Trump probes, even after Mueller report
No matter when and how Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe ends, House Democrats are planning to aggressively ramp up their own Trump-related investigations that will include a network of committees and high-profile public hearings likely to last well into the 2020 election year.
U.S. senators to try again to pass Russia sanctions bill
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced a bill on Wednesday that would impose stiff new sanctions on Russia over its meddling in U.S. elections and aggression against Ukraine, the latest congressional effort to push President Donald Trump to ratchet up Washington’s response to Moscow.
Robert Mueller has spent two years investigating Trump, and he hasn’t said a word. It’s possible he never will.
Occasionally, his signature appears on court documents. But on the most consequential days of the nearly two-year investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, the man leading it – Robert Mueller – has been conspicuously absent.
Russian diplomat warns of Israel-Lebanon conflict, slams U.S. for ‘incitement’
Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin warned of a possible conflict between Israel and Lebanon and accused the US of inciting ‘new conflicts’ in the Middle East during an interview in the Russian news agency Sputnik on Saturday.
China, Russia Concerns Top Pompeo Agenda in Central Europe
U.S. fears about China and Russia’s growing influence in Central Europe will top Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s agenda as he heads to the region this week, Trump administration officials say.
US and Russia push rival UN resolutions on Venezuela
The United States is seeking a United Nations Security Council resolution calling on Venezuela to conduct free, fair and credible presidential elections with international observers.
House Dems announce wide-ranging probe of Trump
The House intelligence committee announced a wide-ranging probe into President Trump’s administration Wednesday, questioning whether he, his children or his businesses have been compromised by foreign agents who have ‘leverage’ over him.
Russian-made S-300 missile defense system active in Syria
The launchers of Russian-made S-300 missile defense systems deployed to Syria have been erected, new satellite images released on Tuesday showed.
Moscow Says New Missile Systems Planned To Counter U.S. By 2021
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu says Moscow will push to develop two new land-based missile systems before 2021 in response to Washington’s planned exit from a landmark nuclear arms control agreement.
Netanyahu to meet with Putin to discuss Iran, Syria
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Tuesday he plans to travel to Russia later this month to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Putin, Erdogan, Rohani Set For Sochi Summit On Syria
The leaders of Russia, Iran, and Turkey are scheduled to meet in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi on February 14 to discuss the situation in Syria, according to Turkish and Russian state media.
Russia reiterates support for Nicolas Maduro by sending 400 military contractors to Venezuela
Russia is playing a high-stakes game in the mounting crisis in Venezuela, where socialist President Nicolas Maduro has been mortgaging part of the country’s oil resources in exchange for financial and military support from Moscow.
Senate pushes back against Trump over Syria troop pullout
The Senate voted Monday to oppose the withdrawal of US troops from Syria and Afghanistan, breaking with President Donald Trump as he calls for a military drawdown in those countries.
Trump says U.S. military intervention in Venezuela ‘an option;’ Russia objects
U.S. President Donald Trump said military intervention in Venezuela was ‘an option’ as Western nations boost pressure on socialist leader Nicolas Maduro to step down, while the troubled OPEC nation’s ally Russia warned against ‘destructive meddling.’
Trump suspends arms treaty, citing Chinese, Russian threats
The Trump administration is pulling the plug on a decades-old nuclear arms treaty with Russia, lifting what it sees as unreasonable constraints on competing with a resurgent Russia and a more assertive China. The move announced Friday sets the stage for delicate talks with U.S. allies over potential new American missile deployments.
Russia to pull plug on nuclear arms pact after US does same
Following in the footsteps of the U.S., Russia will abandon a centerpiece nuclear arms treaty but will only deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles if Washington does so, President Vladimir Putin said Saturday.
Russians won’t be able to push Iran out of Syria, expert says
Iran isn’t going to leave Syria and Russia won’t be able to fully push them out of the conflict-ridden country, an expert on Shia militias told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday.
Spy chief says Russia will attempt to interfere in 2020, contradicts Trump on North Korea’s denuclearization, ISIS defeat
Russia and other actors will attempt to interfere in the 2020 elections, U.S. intelligence agencies told Congress on Tuesday, saying such actors will use the tactics they deployed in the 2016 and 2018 campaigns.
Rivlin predicts Iran will ‘worsen its attacks on Israel’s north’
President Reuven Rivlin said Monday that he believes Iran will step up its attacks on the north of Israel in retaliation for IAF air strikes on Iranian facilities in Syria.