Syrian government launches offensive south of city of Aleppo
By PHILIP ISSA and ZEINA KARAM Syrian troops and their allies launched an offensive Tuesday to retake an important hilltop village south of the city of Aleppo from militants, including…
Diplomacy
Obama hails Iran deal as a model for nuclear diplomacy
By JOSH LEDERMAN President Barack Obama hailed the nuclear deal with Iran on Friday as a “substantial success” and a model for future diplomacy, as world leaders took stock of…
Syrian forces enter IS-held Palmyra; intense clashes with IS
By ALBERT AJI and SINAN SALAHEDDIN Backed by Russian airstrikes, Syrian government forces on Thursday pushed into the ancient town of Palmyra that has been held by the Islamic State…
Obama in Cuba: Historic Castro summit a key test for detente
By JOSH LEDERMAN and MICHAEL WEISSENSTEIN Brushing past profound differences, President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro will sit down Monday at Havana’s Palace of the Revolution for a…
France: Iran sanctions possible over missile tests
France’s foreign minister has raised the possibility of European sanctions against Iran after the country test-fired two ballistic missiles last week. Jean-Marc Ayrault said Sunday that “if necessary, sanctions will…
Russian banker accused of spying pleads guilty to conspiracy
By LARRY NEUMEISTER A Russian banker accused of participating in a Cold War-style spy ring pleaded guilty Friday to a conspiracy charge and agreed to spend up to 2½ years…
Vice President Biden in Israel amid Palestinian attacks
By DANIEL ESTRIN U.S. Vice President Joe Biden touched down in Israel Tuesday for meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders just after Palestinian attackers shot and stabbed policemen and civilians…
N. Korea, on defense after sanctions, makes nuclear threat
By HYUNG-JIN KIM North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered his military on standby for nuclear strikes at any time, state media reported Friday, an escalation in rhetoric targeting rivals…