Iraq

Can Assad (and Putin) reconquer all Syria?

Trump dramatically steps up US air-strikes along the Syrian border in Iraq, as Russia pitches the Kurds and Syrian rebels on a peace deal that will allow Assad to remain in power.

Southeast Asia

Philippines strongman threatens martial law

The Philippines' ultra-hardline President Rodrigo Duterte now threatens to actually impose martial law across the country if the drug problem becomes "very virulent."

North America

White nationalist to National Security Council

With a constitutional crisis looming over Trump's "Muslim ban," white nationalist mouthpiece Steve Bannon has been named to the inner ring of the National Security Council.

Syria

Russia ‘withdraws’ from Syria —not

Despite misleading media accounts, Moscow has only withdrawn its aircraft carier from Syria’s coast, and is in fact beefing up forces at its bases within the country.