President Trump has signed a new executive order blocking visas from being issued to citizens of six majority-Muslim countries to replace a controversial, now-suspended executive order known as the travel ban. Like the initial order signed Jan. 27, the new executive order blocks arrivals from specific majority-Muslim countries and suspends the entire refugee program for 120 days.
Category: Syria
Read St. Charles doctor’s letter to patients
Editor’s note: This is the letter Rany Jazayerli posted for his patients at his offices in St. Charles, Sycamore and Oak Park. It was written before a federal judge put a hold on President Donald Trump’s initial executive order banning immigrants from seven mainly Muslim countries.
Russia says US infighting on Sessions hampers mending ties
As the drama over Attorney General Jeff Sessions plays out in Washington, the Kremlin is watching with a mixture of frustration and regret how the uproar is blocking progress on pressing issues on the U.S.-Russian agenda. Despite the dashed hopes for a quick thaw, however, Moscow is voicing its readiness to wait as long as it takes.
Russian FM calls Sessions uproar a replay of McCarthyism
Matryoshkas, traditional Russian wooden dolls, including a doll of U.S. President Donald Trump, top, are displayed for sale in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, March 2, 2017. Trump has repeatedly said that he aims to improve relations with Russia, but Moscow appears frustrated by the lack of visible progress as well as by support from Trump Administration officials for continuing sanctions imposed on Russia for its interference in Ukraine.
Israeli jets strike outside Damascus – Syrian media
An Israel Air Force F-15 flies overhead during an exercise in the Golan Heights on February 23, 2014. Syrian media reported that Israeli aircraft targeted a Syrian Army convoy bearing weapons for the Hezbollah terrorist group early Wednesday morning.
Possible Russia-US cooperation positive for Syria: Assad
Damascus, Feb 8 – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said a cooperation between Russia and the US would be positive, not only for Syria, but the entire world as well, state news agency SANA reported on Tuesday. Speaking to Belgium reporters in Damascus, Assad said the remarks of US President Donald Trump were promising, as Trump regarded the war on terror, mainly the Islamic State group, in his presidential campaign, while also noted that it’s still too soon to judge such remarks, Xinhua reported.
Appeals court weighs Trump ban as travelers arrive to tears
Just hours after an appeals court blocked an attempt to… . Members of International Migrants Alliance in Hong Kong hold placards during a protest against U.S. President Donald Trump’s selective country travel ban outside of the U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017.
Syria Warns of Setting Up Safe Zones for Civilians as Unsafe
Syria warned Monday of safe zones for civilians that U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed interest in creating, saying it would have to come in coordination with the Syrian government, otherwise it would be unsafe and violate the Arab nation’s sovereignty. The announcement was made in Damascus by Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem during a meeting with the head of the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR, Filippo Grandi, who began an official visit to Syria on Monday.
Syria warns of setting up safe zones for civilians as unsafe
Syria warned Monday of safe zones for civilians that U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed interest in creating, saying it would have to come in coordination with the Syrian government, otherwise it would be unsafe and violate the Arab nation’s sovereignty. The announcement was made in Damascus by Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem during a meeting with the head of the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR, Filippo Grandi, who began an official visit to Syria on Monday.
Recalling Syria ‘red line,’ Kerry says US didn’t back down
Touting his four years as secretary of state, John Kerry on Thursday attempted to explain one of the most contentious moments in American diplomacy during his tenure: President Barack Obama’s failure to enforce his “red line” warning to Syria about using chemical weapons. In a news conference meant to promote his achievements, Kerry said that Obama didn’t backtrack in 2013 on his ultimatum to Syrian President Bashar Assad not to attack rebels or civilians with his chemical weapons arsenal.
The economic war against ISIL: Airstrikes and financial measures aim to deplete militants’ funding
The Islamic State starts the new year with a drastically depleted bank account, counterterrorism officials say, following months of intensified efforts to deprive the Islamists of oil profits and other revenue used to finance military operations and terrorists attacks abroad. Coalition aircraft in the past 15 months have destroyed more than 1,200 tanker trucks – including 168 vehicles struck in a single air raid in Syria in early December – while also using new weapons and tactics to inflict lasting damage on the terrorists’ remaining oil fields, U.S. and Middle Eastern officials say.
5 things to know about Syriaa s Aleppo
Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces and years of fighting have laid waste to much of the city of Aleppo, but he has won it back after nearly six years of war. The president now looks more secure than ever since the 2011 uprising against his family’s four-decade rule.