Bashar al-Assad
Assad regime bombs villages, towns, kills 127 civilians in 1 day
Held by rebels since 2012, Eastern Ghouta is the last opposition pocket around Damascus and President Assad is keen to retake it.
Deft diplomacy needed, hugs just aren’t enough
Government spokesmen of course gushed over its historic nature as indeed it was the first visit by any Indian Prime Minister to Ramallah.
Israeli jet crashes after attacking 'Iranian targets' in Syria
The exchange of fire was the most serious between arch foes Israel and Iran since the start of the civil war in Syria in 2011.
Syria regime strikes kill 35 civilians
The bloodshed came a day after another 31 civilians were killed in Eastern Ghouta.
Syrian rebels shoot down Russian warplane; pilot killed
The Russian plane was shot down, close to a major highway where the Syrian army and Iranian-backed militias are trying to advance.
Iran wants ‘to turn Lebanon into one giant missile site’: Benjamin Netanyahu
Israel's military has also issued a series of warnings to Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite militia backed by Iran.
Exercise-tracking app releases information on US, allied military bases
The Department of Defense said it is ‘reviewing’ the situation.
Pilotless drones attack Russian base in Syria; no casualties: Moscow
The 'terrorist' attacks took place on Friday night causing 'neither casualties nor material damage'.
Iran’s biggest challenge: How to beef up economy
Defeat and deprivation can be dealt with; skilled rulers can use these to build a narrative to lull population into silence.
Russian Prez Vladimir Putin toughens law for terrorist recruitment sentences
The official publication of the law came two days after a bomb attack on a supermarket in Saint Petersburg which injured 14 people.