Scott Lucas

This week, Trump will address the Republican National Convention. Yet, Trump’s speech won’t be the most important scene to watch. It may not even be in the top four.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is not an easy politician to read. He is willing to say one thing while his diplomats and military do another.

Headlines have been declaring a ceasefire in Syria’s conflict. What it isn’t, is a ceasefire.

After days of mounting expectation, the Iraqi government finally announced a serious offensive to retake the city of Ramadi, the capital of western Iraq’s Anbar Province, from the Islamic State.

Deputy Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman’s announcement of a new Saudi-led counterterrorism coalition surprised allies like the United States, adversaries such as Iran, and other interested parties including Russia.

The answer from Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was blunt. Asked on Nov. 3 if saving Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, was a matter of principle for the Russians, Zakharova replied: “Absolutely not, we never said that.”

After years without any progress on solving the Syrian conflict, a major international summit has been convened in Vienna to try and reach an agreement.

In a speech on July 26, Assad’s mask slipped completely. Later, the state-run media SANA tried to downplay what had been said, but there was no mistaking it.