Kerry-Russia deal to end Syria war a major US achievement

Commentary: Many hurdles to overcome before a conference could begin.

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John Kerry (L) and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. The hurdles on Syria remain high. (Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images)

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The news out of Moscow that Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergay Lavrov are hoping to convene an international conference to seek a negotiated end to the Syrian civil war could signal the most significant American diplomatic accomplishment of recent years. But the fact that The New York Times buried the breakthrough on page 12 shows just how high the hurdles are before any conference gets off the ground, much less finds a solution. Significant outside pressure will be required to produce an arrangement that would involve the attendance of both the government of President Assad as well as a broad coalition of rebels, and an agreement on who would be in a transitional government.

US concerned Russia may sell air-defense system to Syria: report

Priyanka BoghaniMay 9, 2013 09:21

The United States has received warning of a Russian deal which would see the sale of ground-to-air missile systems to Syria, according to reports from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. American officials told The Times that the US is worried about a Russian plan to sells S-300 missile batteries to bolster Syrian air defenses.

UN peacekeepers seized in Golan Heights for the second time this year

Jill LangloisMay 7, 2013 11:32

Reuters reported that Syrian rebel group Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade claimed responsibility for taking the group of Filipinos, saying it is holding the peacekeepers to keep them safe after clashes in the area put them in danger.

Kerry meets Putin in Moscow on Syria mission

Daniel DeFraiaMay 7, 2013 10:16Updated May 7, 2013 13:14

"The United States believes that we share some very significant common interests with respect to Syria — stability in the region, not having extremists creating problems throughout the region and elsewhere," Kerry said.

Turkish PM Erdogan calls airstrikes on Syria 'unacceptable'

Priyanka Boghani and Noga TarnopolskyMay 7, 2013 10:08

Turkey's premier called the airstrikes that hit military sites in Syria over the weekend "unacceptable" on Tuesday.

UN clarifies statement, says 'no conclusive findings' on chemical weapons in Syria

Priyanka Boghani and Tracey SheltonMay 6, 2013 11:11Updated May 6, 2013 13:58

REYHANLI, Turkey — The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, a United Nations commission investigating claims of the use of chemical weapons in Syria, clarified on Monday that it has "not reached conclusive findings" on the use of such weapons.

Israel draws criticism over airstrikes in Syria as death toll rises

Priyanka BoghaniMay 6, 2013 09:32Updated May 6, 2013 13:45

The death toll from an airstrike attributed to Israel Sunday rose to at least 42 Syrian soldiers, according to the Britain-based opposition activist group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The group said Monday that the death toll was based on information from Syrian military hospital sources. The Syrian government has not released any numbers related to the airstrike.

Jessica PhelanMay 6, 2013 07:15

Chatter: Did Syrian rebels use chemical weapons?

A UN investigator says rebels may be using sarin gas in Syria, Malaysia disputes its election results, a neo-Nazi trial makes for uncomfortable viewing in Germany, and moon landing memorabilia to make your heart race.

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Graphic. (Antler Agency/GlobalPost)

Syrian rebels used sarin gas, says UN human rights investigator

Agence France-PresseMay 6, 2013 04:14

"We still have to deepen our investigation, verify and confirm [the findings] through new witness testimony, but according to what we have established so far, it is at the moment opponents of the regime who are using sarin gas."