Venezuela Thrust to Forefront of US-Russia Clashes

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — Russia’s support for Venezuela’s embattled President Nicolas Maduro has become the latest flashpoint in deteriorating relations between the United States and Russia, moving to the top of a list of long-simmering spats between the Cold War foes. As the dispute intensifies with both sides trading accusations and entrenched in diametrically opposed…

US sees Assad staying in Syria until March 2017

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Obama administration’s best-case scenario for political transition in Syria does not foresee Bashar Assad stepping down as the country’s leader before March 2017, outlasting Barack Obama’s presidency by at least two months, according to a document obtained by The Associated Press. An internal timeline prepared for U.S. officials dealing with the…