Next month marks five years since the uprisings that plunged Syria into one of the bloodiest wars that can be remembered in the history of the Middle East. At least 260,000 people have died in the conflict, according to the United Nations. Five million have sought refuge abroad. …

The sudden spike in tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran, two of the most powerful regimes in the Middle East, is only going to exacerbate a trend toward high levels of oil production, says one expert on global oil markets. Leaders across the region are looking to hedge …

PAUL ROGERS The rivalries of powerful states are now driving Syria’s conflict. But ISIS is thinking bigger. he war against ISIS has seen 18 months of of airstrikes by United States-led coalition forces in both Iraq and Syria. An even more concentrated period is now under way, with …

We’re facing a crisis at the heart of our media system – in other words with the dominant players across our media environment – on many different levels: of funding, of ethics, of representation and of legitimacy. The crisis is related, in particular, to the increasingly unequal distribution …

According to the Obama Administration, Secretary of State John Kerry wrangled a vital concession from Russia, leading to the last minute deal in Munich on Feb. 10 for a cease-fire and the opening of humanitarian corridors. Russia, in private talks with the US, had been demanding that any cease-fire …

It is amazing to see the focus of conflicts and potential conflicts in Syria jumping here and there like a drop of mercury on glass. At one point, it is Assad against his opponents, then it is the Arabs and the Iranians, then the Russians and the non-terrorist …

In response to growing concerns about the Islamic State’s growing strength throughout Afghanistan, Russia is now pursuing a military alliance with the Afghan Taliban, under the concept that “my enemy’s enemy is my potential ally.” The Russian courtship of the Taliban began some time prior to Taliban’s dramatic …

Is it time to launch a “decisive military action” in Libya? US analyst on national security and foreign policy Daniel L. Davis notes that US senior officials should think twice before unleashing another war in the North African country. As violence grows in Libya, the question arises if …

The servicemen of Russia’s Northern Fleet have begun comprehensive training to counter terrorism in three regions, the fleet’s spokesman said Saturday. “This morning, comprehensive training to counter terrorist threats in locations of basing of forces and troops of the navy began in the garrisons of the Northern Fleet,” Vadim Serga said. According to the official, the exercises will have …