Note: To stimulate the discussion and full independent investigation of the Syrian chemical explosion, I focus on expert opinions that oppose the narrative that the Syrian government carried out the gas attack.

OPCW Director-General shares incontrovertible laboratory results concluding exposure to sarin in Khan Sheikhun - OPCW

Russia April 20 will submit a proposal for a vote to the OPCW on the situation in Idlib - Russian Reality

Comment by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov on the OPCW Executive session re-opening in The Hague on April 19 - Russian Federation

British chair to both OPCW probes on Syria ‘chemical attack’ is against int’l principle: Lavrov - RT News

FM Ayrault says France will prove Syria's Assad used chemical weapons - usatoday.com

VIDEO: Attaque à l'arme chimique: le renseignement français va apporter "les preuves" de l'implication de Bachar, promet Ayrault - LCP

Top U.S. intelligence analyst Theodore Postol accuses White House of fraud about Syrian sarin gas attack - washingtonsblog.com

The nerve agent attack that did not occur: Analysis of the times and locations of critical events in the alleged nerve agent attack in Khan Sheikhoun, by T. Postol - washingtonsblog.com

Ex-UN inspector Barton says Syrian crater ‘too small’ for toll, 'To kill the number of people killed there would require more than one little rocket’ - theaustralian.com.au

For those who ask: HOW COME THE FIRST RESPONDERS DIDN'T DIE FROM THE SARIN GAS THE NEXT DAY? Handy chart re chemical warfare agent persistency - S. Rifai on Twitter

IR data collected by the U.S. combined with eyewitnesses and videos shows the Syrian government employed only conventional weapons against Khan Shaykhun (read page 3) - Truthdig

Talk: Alleged chemical attack Khan Sheikhoun 4 April 2017 - A Closer Look On Syria

PHOTO: Geolocation of the four plumes caused by the explosions at 6:30-7:00 AM on April 4 in Khan Sheikhoun - A Closer Look On Syria

VIDEO: Virginia Sen Dick Black explains why Assad had no motive to gas civilians. - YouTube

VIDEO (and transcript): Former Chief of Staff to Colin Powell, Col. Lawrence Wilkerson says the Syrian Government may not be responsible for the chemical attack - therealnews.com

'Truth is first casualty of war': GOP Rep. skeptical Assad carried out gas attack - Fox News Insider

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Wackos in Washington:  Decapitating Heads of State is a Risky Business

By Dave Lindorff

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Focus: Syria - Apr 12, 2017

Leading MIT rocket scientist Theodore Postol issues a report: White House claims on Syria chemical attack 'cannot be true' -washingtonsblog.com

REPORT (Full text): A Quick Turnaround Assessment of the White House Intelligence Report About the Nerve Agent Attack in Syria - Theodore Postol

VIDEO: Interview with Theodore Postol: US report on Idlib attack ‘misinterprets evidence’, ‘politically motivated' - YouTube

Discussion: Leading CW expert Postol of MIT published a 14-page document questioning WH claims that Sarin was dropped from Syrian AF plane - Reddit

ARCHIVE: Possible Implications of Faulty US Technical Intelligence in the Damascus Nerve Agent Attack of August 21, 2013 - Postol, Lloyd

REPORT (Full text): The Assad regime's use of chemical weapons on 4 April 2017 - White House

White House background Press Briefing on Syria chemical attack, 4/11/2017 - whitehouse.gov

Former UN weapons inspector Blix: Send investigators to Syria, not cruise missiles - Utrikesmagasinet

VIDEO: 'I believe nobody, I’d like to see impartial investigation’: ex head of UNMOVIC Blix on Idlib gas attack - YouTube

OPCW to begin Syria probe after use of chemicals in idlib attack is confirmed - The Siasat Daily

Last two chemical weapons facilities in Syria belong to rebels and they were not destroyed: OPCW - Maeplet

Syria invited OPCW to send inspector to Shayrat airfield: Representative to UN - Sputnik

At UN, Britain says it has evidence of Syria sarin gas use - WGNO

Turkey: Autopsies show sarin gas used against Syrian town - The Ledger

Putin says chemical weapons incident in Syria’s Idlib could be a provocation - TASS

Putin: Russia has data on new provocations planned against Syrian authorities - TASS

Chief of Russian General staff: chemical weapons are being brought to Khan Shaykhun, Jira airport, Eastern Ghouta and West Aleppo to further blame Syrian government in attack - syria.liveuamap.com

Trump: 'Unlikely' Russia had no knowledge of Syrian chemical attack - ABC News

Tillerson warns Russia on Syria, saying Assad era is ‘coming to an end’ - The New York Times

Defense chief Mattis says Syria will pay a big price if it uses gas again - usatoday.com

McMaster: U.S. eager for regime change in Syria, but 'we’re not the ones who are going to effect that change.' - POLITICO

McMaster and Russia - Sic Semper Tyrannis

Out of 47 major editorials on Trump’s Syria strikes, only one opposed - FAIR

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Focus: Syria - Apr 10, 2017

US Official: Russia knew in advance of Syrian chemical attack - AP

McCain: Russia cooperated with Syria in chemical attack - ABC News

Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, Former CIA officer Philip Giraldi, Former DIA Colonel Pat Lang say the Syrian chemical attack story is a sham - Intel Today

VIDEO: Col. Wilkerson says Syrian government may not be responsible for the chemical attack, Trump’s response is a violation of international law - Truthdig

PODCAST: Philip Giraldi says intelligence community doubt Assad gas narrative - The Libertarian Institute

VIDEO: Vet CIA officer Ray McGovern: Syria bombed a rebel arms depot filled with chemical weapons, Assad didn’t gas his people - InvestmentWatch

Michael Savage: This was a complete false flag event… Assad had nothing to gain by gassing his own people...No sarin gas, most likely phosgene gas - theduran.com

PODCAST: Michael Savage prosecutes the Syrian attack and his results are jaw-dropping ⋆ WayneDupree.com

Gabbard takes heat from Dems for skepticism of Syria chemical attack - TheHill

VIDEO: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard slams Trump’s attack on Syria - Antiwar.com Blog

Where was CIA’s Pompeo on Syria? Is he doubting Assad guilt? - Consortiumnews

Trump's decision to launch missile strikes on Syria was based on a lie that it dropped a military chemical weapon on innocent civilians - Sic Semper Tyrannis

The American media and many American political leaders are a complete disgrace as they have cheered Trump's illegal and unjustified order to launch missiles against Syria - Sic Semper Tyrannis

What we know & don't know about the chemical attack on Khan Sheikhoun, eyewitnesses accounts - caucus99percent

Wag the dog -- How Al Qaeda played Donald Trump and the American media - The Huffington Post

Revisiting the story of the ‘false flag’ chemical attack at Goutha on 21 august 2013 - Sic Semper Tyrannis

VIDEO: Ray McGovern addresses the 2013 Ghouta Syrian gas attack accusations - YouTube

Special Report: The growing potential for militant chemical attacks, and how you can prepare - Max Security

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Talk Nation Radio: Dennis Kucinich on Opposing War on Syria

https://soundcloud.com/davidcnswanson/talk-nation-radio-dennis-kucinich-on-opposing-war-on-syria

Dennis Kucinich is an internationally renowned champion of diplomacy and peace. His distinguished career in public service dates back to 1969 and spans councilman, clerk of courts, Mayor of Cleveland, Ohio State Senator, 8 term Member of US Congress and 2-time Democratic candidate for President of the United States. We discuss U.S. warmaking in Syria.
See
http://kucinich.com
http://facebook.com/denniskucinich

Total run time: 29:00

Host: David Swanson.
Producer: David Swanson.
Music by Duke Ellington.

Download from LetsTryDemocracy or Archive.

Pacifica stations can also download from Audioport.

Syndicated by Pacifica Network.

Please encourage your local radio stations to carry this program every week!

Please embed the SoundCloud audio on your own website!

Past Talk Nation Radio shows are all available free and complete at
http://TalkNationRadio.org

and at
https://soundcloud.com/davidcnswanson/tracks

Focus: Syria - Apr 7, 2017

Putin considers US attack in Syria aggression against sovereign state: Kremlin - Sputnik

Putin to Netanyahu: Unacceptable to make 'groundless accusations' on Syria chemical attack - Haaretz.com

Russian Foreign Ministry statement on US military action in Syria on April 7, 2017 - mid.ru

Russian Defense Ministry: 36 Tomahawk missiles out of 59 did not reach the Ash Sha’irat airbase, total cost of the operation $110.271 million - southfront.org

Russian Defense Ministry decides on expansion in Syria following Putin's orders - Sputnik

Russia to take measures to Increase Syrian air defense capabilities - southfront.org

Russian warship steams toward US destroyers that launched Syria strikes - Fox News

Russia expects US to provide evidence of chemical weapons use by Syria - TASS

Moscow reminds all chemical weapons were taken out of Syria in 2014 with US help - Sputnik

Syria has 'ridiculously huge' stockpile of sarin gas, Pentagon memo reveals - Washington Times

Rebel warehouse with chem weapons hit by Syrian airstrike in Idlib: Russian MOD - RT News

VIDEO: Weapons manufacturing facility in Khan Sheikhoun captured by Qatari TV, video begins by showing people being washed off after the chemical attack - Al Jazeera

White Helmets & SOHR can't be considered as reliable sources: Russian Foreign Ministry - southfront.org

US probes possible Russia role in Syria chemical attack - CNN.com

China does not assign blame for the Syria chemical attack or mention Syrian leader Bashar Assad, supports investigation - Fox News

UN Chief urges ‘very clear' probe into Syria's Idlib chemical attack - Sputnik

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Presidency of Syrian Arab Republic: US aggression is reckless and irresponsible act – Syrian Arab News Agency

Eyewitness says Syrian military anticipated U.S. raid - ABC News

Al-Moallem: Syrian Army didn’t and will not use chemical weapons even against terrorists – Syrian Arab News Agency

Syria determined to carry out its obligations towards OPCW, rejects forging facts – Syrian Arab News Agency

Mikdad: We provided OPCW and the UN with reports on toxic substances transported into Syria by terrorist organizations – Syrian Arab News Agency

Did Assad or the Russians use chemical weapons against civilians in Syria or are we dealing with a false flag operation? Is Trump being duped by the neocons? - O Mouggos

What caused the chemical calamity in Khan Sheikhoun, Syria on April 4, 2017? - Rootclaim

Chemical Weapons 2017: What Just Happened In Syria? - activistpost.com

Tahrir AL sham said the warplane that did the airstrikes was Su-22 2/4 - Yusha Yuseef on Twitter

it's known that bombs used by this type of warplanes can't be filled with gas or editable ، Unlike let's say helicopter home made bombs 3/4 - Yusha Yuseef on Twitter

Also SAA command didn't know about existence of chemical supplements inside the targeted base 4/4 - Yusha Yuseef on Twitter

VIDEO: Minutes after the sarin gas attack on Idlib - LiveLeak.com

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Syria strike disappoints Trump backers in media - TheHill

Trump's troll army isn't ready for war in Syria, The alt-right crowd breaks with the president - POLITICO Magazine

Trump’s Syria strike is sign of Bannon’s waning influence - nymag.com

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard: Trump’s military strikes in Syria are reckless and short-sighted - Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard

VIDEO: Ron Paul: "Zero chance" Assad behind chemical weapons attack In Syria; Likely a false flag - Zero Hedge

Trump supporter Marine veteran warns Trump: ‘You're being duped’ on Syria (VIDEO) - southfront.org

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Here we go again: Yet Another President Commits the Ultimate War Crime of Launching a War of Aggression

By Dave Lindorff

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Top 10 Lies, Damn Lies, and Lies About Syria

1. Chemical weapons are worse than other weapons.

This is not the case. Death and dismemberment are horrific regardless of the weapon. No weapon is being used legally, morally, humanely, or practically in Syria or Iraq. U.S. bombs are no less indiscriminate, no less immoral, and no less illegal than chemical weapons -- or for that matter than the depleted uranium weapons with which the United States has been poisoning the area. The fact that a weapon has not been banned does not create a legal right to go into a country and kill people with it.

2. Chemical weapons use justifies the escalated use of other weapons.

Does shoplifting justify looting? If a Hatfield poisoned a McCoy, would another McCoy be justified in shooting a bunch of Hatfields? What barbarism is this? A crime does not sanction another crime. That's a quick trip to hell.

3. Important people we should trust know who used chemical weapons.

No, they do not. At least they do not know that the Syrian government did it. If they knew this, they would offer evidence. As on every past occasion, they have not done so.

4. The enemy is pure evil and will answer only to force.

The U.S. government and its proxies have sabotaged peace negotiations numerous times over the past several years, maintaining that Assad would have to step down or -- preferably -- be overthrown by violence before anything could be negotiated. This does not make the U.S. government pure inhuman evil, much less does it make the Syrian government that.

5. If you don't want to bomb Syria with one enemy's name on your lips, you hold the firm belief that said enemy is actually a saint.

This piece of stupidity gets people accused of loving and holding blameless the Syrian government, the Russian government, the U.S. government, ISIS, and various other parties. In fact, the reasonable thing to do is to hold all killers responsible for their killing because of the crime, not because of who commits it.

6. U.S. war-making in Syria is defensive.

This is the opposite of reality-based thinking as war-making endangers us rather than protects us. Someone should ask Donald Trump to remember the Maine. You may remember that Spain wanted the matter brought to a neutral arbiter, but the United States wanted war, regardless of any evidence. That's been the typical move over the centuries: careful maneuvering into war, not away from it. Trump, by the way, is already up to his bloody elbows in several wars inherited from Obama -- wars no less immoral and illegal slaughters because of their connection to either of those presidents. The question of who blew up the Maine is, at this point a truly dumb one. The important point is that the U.S. didn't want to know, wanted instead to rush into a war before anyone could find out. Typically, the desire to avoid information, and not some other consideration, is the reason for the urgency in war-making.

7. Peace was tried in 2013, and it failed.

No. What happened was that Obama and his administration tried to pull off the same stunt that Trump is trying now, and the public rose up and refused to allow it. So, instead of a massive bombing campaign, Syria got more weapons, more trainers, more troops, and a medium sized bombing campaign. That's very different from actually shifting direction and offering Syria diplomacy, aid, and disarmament.

8. The U.S. government's goal is peace.

The long openly stated goal of powerful players in the U.S. government is to overthrow Assad.

9. Syria is as boring and unconcerning as numerous other ongoing U.S. wars.

In reality, Syria is a war that risks fighting between the United States and Russia, while each is armed with far more than enough nuclear weapons to destroy all life on earth. Creating a profitable conflict between the U.S. and Russia is a likely actual motivation of some hawks on Syria.

10. Making everything worse with yet more violence is the only option left.

That's not an option at all. But these are: aid, reparations, negotiations, disarmament, the rule of law, truth and reconciliation.

Focus: Syria - Mar 29, 2017

Clashes rage around Tabqa town after the Islamic State counter-attacks to fend off a US-backed advance near the militants' stronghold of Raqqa - alaraby.co.uk

Clashes renewed in the vicinity of al-Tabqa airbase between the Islamic State and the Syria Democratic Forces - SOHR

Raqqa-Tabqa road under SDF control - NRT English

Engineers repair Syria's Tabqa dam spillways after ISIS shelling - Reuters

VIDEO: ISIS began pounding the Tabqa dam with mortars. engineers evacuated and SDF/YPG reinforcements arrived. - syria.liveuamap.com

Engineer says Tabqa dam not in immediate damage, but needs urgent repairs (VIDEO) - almasdarnews.com

Red Crescent Team checks north side of Al-Tabqa dam in Raqqa province, say that the dam is out of service but it is not at risk (VIDEO) - Reuters

US- led coalition official: No imminent danger to Tabqa Dam, ISIS losing more ground in Raqqa - ARA News

VIDEO: ISIS-affiliated news agency Amaq reportedly showing damage to the dam, states it was “completely out of service” and that its floodgates could not be opened - YouTube

Raqqa lives in darkness and thirst for the 5th consecutive day and panic in the city due to rumors about “the collapse of the near Euphrates Dam” - SOHR

The fight for a key dam in Syria could lead to 'catastrophe' for hundreds of thousands of people - Yahoo News

Monitoring groups say US behind deadly air strike on Syrian Tabqa dam that killed two local experts trying to repair it - FT

US-led coalition warplanes kill the man in charge of the Euphrates dam management in targeting him with a group of 12 persons including technicians in al-Tabqa – SOHR

Russian general claims US-led coalition hit Tabqa dam in Syria - militarytimes.com

More US troops may be needed for fight against ISIS near Raqqa, general says - Fox News

US-led Coalition to use Tabqa airbase during Raqqa operation - Sputnik

US military delivers equipment to Kurdish forces in northern Raqqa: report - almasdarnews.com

Syria's Raqqa expected to join Kurdish-led federalism: Kurdish leader - Reuters

Syrian Democratic Forces say handed over responsibility for the administration in the Raqqa countryside to the Raqqa Civil Council - Rudaw

US-led coalition has no intention to create federal Kurdish state in Syria: official - ARA News

The Kurds can take Raqqa, but they can’t stay, says top U.S. General. - Foreign Policy on Twitter

Syrian Coalition: Liberation of Raqqa should be assigned to the FSA - etilaf.org

Fantastic report based on interviews with the key 4 tribes in Raqqa. - A MUST READ, with important lessons - Charles Lister on Twitter

Lesson 1 - ALL of Raqqa’s key tribes are deeply hostile to U.S-backed YPG & skeptical of the SDF. Today’s strategy ensures further war. - Charles Lister on Twitter

Lesson 2 - A sizeable U.S troop deployment into eastern Syria based on today’s strategy is v. likely to spark a broader hostile insurgency - Charles Lister on Twitter

REPORT: Eyeing Raqqa: A Tale of Four Tribes - The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

Turkey ends 'Shield' military operation in Syria, PM says - US News

Turkish observers: 'Ankara, Damascus must unite' to halt US-backed Kurdish state in northern Syria - Sputnik

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Four Syrian towns reach evacuation deals between pro-government and rebel forces -DW.COM

More links on the reported Fouaa–Kefraya/Zabadani–Madaya agreement - Aron Lund on Twitter

The National Coalition is not at all fond of the Four Towns agreement - Aron Lund on Twitter:

[Unverified] reports that HTS may have received $30 million for agreeing to recent “4 towns” evacuation deal - Charles Lister on Twitter

Fighters, civilians evacuated from last militant-held district in Homs (VIDEO) - almasdarnews.com

Syrian government troops entered Deir Hafer: Report - southfront.org

Syrian army advance on Jirah military airbase (VIDEO) - southfront.org

ISIS-held Jirah military air base in Aleppo to be encircled by Syrian army (MAP) - southfront.org

Syrian Army overruns jihadi groups in northern Hama - almasdarnews.com

Syrian Army regains the lead in northern Hama, recaptures another hilltop (VIDEO) - almasdarnews.com

ISIS offensive in Deir Ezzor ends in complete disaster, 30+ terrorists killed - almasdarnews.com

Syrian, Iraqi intelligence work together to destroy ISIS's largest base in Deir Ezzor - almasdarnews.com

HNC reiterates no role for Assad in transitional period & accuses Iranian-backed militias of war crimes - etilaf.org

U.S. envoy to U.N. Haley: Syria's Assad 'hindrance to moving forward' - Reuters

Russian Deputy FM rules out discussing Assad's future with US - Sputnik

Peace talks will continue until Syria has ‘territorial integrity’: Russian Deputy FM - almasdarnews.com

Russia urges Syrian opposition to not raise tensions - almasdarnews.com

Russia's Lavrov: still possible to renew cooperation with U.S. in Syria - Reuters

Lavrov interview: An “absolutely artificial hysterical situation was created” in U.S.-Russia relations—but not quite yet a Cold War. - The National Interest

Iraq will not sever ties with Iran despite pressure from Arab nations - Rudaw

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Focus: Syria - Mar 23, 2017

U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces expects to attack Tabqa dam and air base soon - Reuters

SDF will dominate Tabqa dam in next 72 hours: SDF commander declares - syria.liveuamap.com

VIDEO: YPG Footage showing the advance of the US backed SDF across Lake Assad/River Euphrates and towards Tabqa Dam - syria.liveuamap.com

US military helping operation to seize strategic Tabqa dam near Syria’s Raqqa - Al Arabiya English

US Coalition statement on the Syrian Democratic Forces assault near Tabqah dam - Operation Inherent Resolve

Reports starting to come in that US troops have been deployed to Tabqa (via helicopter). This account says 100 troops involved - Shiraz Maher on Twitter”

US special forces cut the main route between Aleppo and Raqqa, after making a surprise airdrop near Tabqah, Syria. - syria.liveuamap.com

Kurdish forces cutoff key ISIL supply line in northern Syria, capturing several villages along the strategic Aleppo-Raqqa Highway - almasdarnews.com

SDF soldier announces that more soldiers will be transported to the peninsula west of Tabqa in some hours - Syrian Civil War Map

Syrian Democratic Forces say need up to 15 days to block, start storming Raqqa - Sputnik

SDF's Talal Selou tells al-Watan's Junblat Shkai SDF would be happy to coordinate with the Syrian Army in Raqqa, if US approves - Aron Lund on Twitter

ISIS reportedly redeploys forces from Deir Ezzor To Raqqah - southfront.org

US General: "The YPG has a political office in Moscow itself, but the groups that we're providing support to on the ground are not being supported directly by Russian military forces” - Washington Examiner

US State Department warning against travel to Syria and urging US citizens in Syria to depart immediately - Haidar Sumeri on Twitter

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Turkey Deputy PM on Raqqa: If you are saying ‘We will bring in the PYD while taking Daesh away’, Turkey will never allow it. We will not be involved - Sputnik

Turkey still determined to play role in final Raqqa assault, set up the Army of Al-Jazirah and Euphrates Tribes - al-monitor.com

Turkey training the Free Syrian Police (FSP) to help out with secondary operations in Aleppo province - al-monitor.com

Turkey expects Russia to close Syrian Kurds' office in Moscow: Foreign Ministry - Sputnik

Turkey not convinced with Russian denial for military base in Afrin - hurriyetdailynews.com

Syrian Kurdish YPG says Turkey shells villages in northwest Afrin, wounding 10 civilians - Reuters

Russian armored vehicles w Russia YPG flags, heading to Afrin border towns, were being heavily shelled by Turkish military - Jack Shahine on Twitter

Russian troops go to Syrian area shelled by Turkey, Kurdish YPG says - Channel NewsAsia

Turkey summons Russian envoy, says fired into Kurdish-held Syria after soldier killed by sniper - Reuters

Turkish military says 71 Kurdish militants killed in Syria in last week - Jerusalem Post

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Syrian Army troops liberated city of Deir Hafer in Eastern countryside of Aleppo: Reports - southfront.org

ISIS withdraws from last east Aleppo stronghold Deir Hafer - almasdarnews.com

Syrian Army continues routing ISIS in rural Aleppo after Deir Hafer, liberates new village - almasdarnews.com

Qaeda-led Syrian rebels press major assault near Hama, the offensive also includes Free Syrian Army fighters - Reuters

Al-Qaeda rebels seize two more villages in northern Hama - almasdarnews.com

Syrian army prepares Hama counterattack ahead of renewed peace talks - Reuters

Elite Tiger Forces arrive in northern Hama to drive back Al-Qaeda - almasdarnews.com

Syrian Army recaptures two villages in northern Hama counter-offensive - almasdarnews.com

Syrian Army storms jihadist-held Al-Qaboun in east Damascus - almasdarnews.com

Syrian army regains control of Maghazel industrial area in Eastern Damascus - Sputnik

Jaish al-Islam (participant of peace talks) joins Hayat Tahrir al-Sham & Co in advance against government forces In Eastern Damascus - southfront.org

Ahrar-AlSham participates in HTS offensive to cut Homs-Salamiyah supply routes Syria - syria.liveuamap.com

Jihadist rebels mobilize in northeast Latakia for new offensive - almasdarnews.com

Three more Russians lost their lives in Syria: Media - southfront.org

UN-mediated Syria talks resume in Geneva - StarTribune.com

Statement by the UN Special Envoy for Syria on the fifth round of intra-Syrian talks, 23 March 2017 - ReliefWeb

Russia wants Syrian Kurds in Geneva talks despite Turkey’s resistance - ARA News

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Focus: Syria - Mar 20, 2017

Syrian Kurdish YPG aims to expand force to over 100,000 - Reuters

YPG to receive training from Russia in Afrin under new agreement, says spokesman - Rudaw

Text of YPG Spokesman Redur Xelil's statement on agreement made with Russia in relation to Afrin - syria.liveuamap.com

Statement by the Russian Defense Ministry on the agreement with the Kurds; it denies the deployment of a new military base near Afrin - Aron Lund on Twitter

US received no notification on Russian presence in Syria's Afrin: Pentagon - Sputnik

US-backed Kurdish forces seized Karamah town East of Raqqah - southfront.org

SDF liberating train station 18 KM east Raqqa city. - syria.liveuamap.com

SDF-YPG liberated village Cerqa and Tal Fatisah hill - syria.liveuamap.com

SDF has liberated Muhammadiyah water pumping station located 15 km east of the city of Raqqa from ISIS terrorists - Afarin Mamosta on Twitter

Syrian Kurds say ready to take part in Commission on Constitution elaboration - Sputnik

Turkey won't accept 'region of terror' in northern Syria, deputy PM says in comments appearently aimed at a Syrian-Kurdish militia - Daily Mail Online

Turkish Red Crescent to boost aid projects for Syria’s al-Bab - Daily Sabah

US-led coalition conducts 18 strikes in Raqqa as SDF entered city's limits - Sputnik

4,000 USD a reward for IS militants, for killing an American soldier in the battle of Raqqa – #SOHR

Al-Qaeda order: 'Do not consult anybody to kill Americans' - pjmedia.com

Pentagon assessing reports of civilian deaths after airstrike in Syria - TheHill

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Syrian army retakes Damascus areas captured by rebels - usatoday.com

Syrian warplanes annihilate militant supply lines East of Damascus - Sputnik

A look at the insurgent groups who launched new offensive in outskirts of Damascus - FDD's Long War Journal

Battle in east Damascus accumulates highest death toll this year, as 100+ Syrian soldiers and jihadist rebels were killed in under 24 hours - almasdarnews.com

Rebels launched a surprise attack through secret tunnels leading to the government-held Old City in Damascus - RT

Why liberation of Damascus’ district Jobar is an important step in eradicating terrorists - Sputnik

On video uploaded online on Mar. 17, the leader of al Qaeda’s joint venture in Syria promised to ‘escalate’ operations - FDD's Long War Journal

Government forces capture Al-Qusayr village and train station south of Deir Hafer - southfront.org

Syrian Army attempts to encircle ISIS in Deir Hafer, east Aleppo - almasdarnews.com

ISIS left with one way out of east Aleppo stronghold Deir Hafer - almasdarnews.com

Russian, Syrian jets conduct over 100 airstrikes above east Aleppo: Al-Amaq - almasdarnews.com

VIDEO: Iraqi Shi’ite paramilitary group Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba releases video of group operations in Eastern Aleppo - southfront.org

Syrian rebels, civilians leave Homs under new Russian deal - Rudaw

VIDEO: Syrian Army liberates new territory in northern Palmyra - almasdarnews.com

Syrian Army besieged in Aleppo after ISIL cuts off important highway - almasdarnews.com

Islamic State intercepts aid airdropped over Deir Ezzor (PHOTOS) - almasdarnews.com

Syria to consider any military op without gov't approval as invasion, 'whether to liberate Raqqa or any other place': Assad - Sputnik

Full text of Assad statement to Russian media: we are ready to discuss anything including constitution, defending borders is our right - Syrian Arab News Agency

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Focus: The Anti-Islamic State Offensive in Syria - Mar 17, 2017

Syrian Kurdish YPG says Raqqa attack to start in early April - US News

Kurdish forces renew push towards Raqqa city, Al-Kulayb and Hamad Assad villages liberated from ISIS - almasdarnews.com

VIDEO: US-Backed Kurdish forces celebrate capture of Raqqa provincial village al-Hoos from Islamic State - Yahoo News

Kurds call on Trump to establish safe zones in SDF-held territory in northern Syria - ARA News

Opposition party offices closed, members arrested by the Kurdish Rojava administration - Rudaw

UN report counters Amnesty claim that YPG and SDF have committed ethnic cleansing in Syria - Rudaw

UN says Syrian Kurdish YPG forcibly conscripts men, boys for military service - ekurd

YPG to participate in Raqqa operation: US military officer - Daily Sabah

Syrian Democratic Forces continue to ‘build Arab element’: US coalition - Sputnik

US-led coalition says no plans to incorporate Rojava Peshmergas in fight against ISIS in Syria - ARA News

Coalition spokesman Col. Dorrian estimates ISIS has around 2,000 fighters left in Mosul and 3,000-4,000 in Raqqa - EHSANI2 on Twitter

VIDEO: Inherent Resolve spokesman Col. Dorrian briefs reporters on Raqqa progress - dvidshub.net

TRANSCRIPT: Department of Defense press briefing by Col. Dorrian - defense.gov

US-led coalition strikes destroy Daesh drone facility near Raqqa - Sputnik

U.S. military likely to send as many as 1,000 more ground troops into Syria ahead of Raqqa offensive, officials say - Washington Post

CIA-backed aid for Syrian rebels frozen after Islamist attack: sources - Reuters

State Dept official says US continues to work with Kurdish YPG in Syria, 'but we also recognize Turkey's concerns' - ARA News

Turkey wants diplomatic solution on Syria's Manbij, defense minister says - Reuters

Turkey prepares new Arab army to fight Kurdish YPG with leaders of some 50 Syrian tribes - kurdistan24.net

Assault on al Raqqa commences, but cooperation between US and Russia coalitions is critical - Lima Charlie News

The roles of the US, Russia, Turkey, Iran and Israel in Syria: moving towards the end of the war - Elijah J M

Trump deserves a chance to deal with Russia over Syria - The National Interest

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Syrian Army liberates Umm Zulaylah, Tall Ayoub, Hazazeh and Al-Kreen villages in eastern Aleppo, encircles ISIS bastion Deir Hafer - almasdarnews.com

Syrian army further outflanks Deir Hafer from southern direction, gains the villages of Khassaf and Zubayda and hill top - southfront.org

Syrian army retakes Kiyariyah village located directly north of the ISIS-held city of Deir Hafer in Eastern Aleppo - southfront.org

Tiger Forces liberate Harmalah village near ISIL's stronghold Deir Hafer in east Aleppo - almasdarnews.com

Russian airstrikes target the Islamic State’s positions inside the Deir Hafer Plain of east Aleppo - almasdarnews.com

ISIS deploys large fighting force to keep hold of last stronghold Deir Hafer in Aleppo - almasdarnews.com

ISIS actively prepares for protracted defense of Raqqa - southfront.org

Islamic State launches fresh suicidal attacks on Deir Ezzor Airbase - almasdarnews.com

Syrian, Russian jets launch nonstop airstrikes over Deir Ezzor - almasdarnews.com

Syrian army repels ISIS attacks in Deir Ezzor - southfront.org

Syrian army expands buffer-zone around Palmyra - almasdarnews.com

Syrian Army liberates Palmyra gas fields as ISIL's defenses collapse north of city - almasdarnews.com

Russia sends 150 demining experts to Syria's Palmyra: agencies - Reuters

1,000 Servicemen of 5th Legion completed training by Russian instructors in Damascus (PHOTOS) - southfront.org

Syria peace talks in Astana close with no sign of rebels - Reuters

Syrian opposition ignored Astana talks after Erdogan's failure in meeting with Putin: source - southfront.org

New round of Astana talks on Syria to be held in May: Russian official - Kurdpress News Aganecy

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Focus: Syria - Mar 11, 2017

The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces say they are confident to capture Islamic State capital Raqqa: "We have enough forces to liberate Raqqa with the help of the coalition." Is this a true assessment or an overstatement? Raqqa is inhabited by Arabs and is not part of Syrian Kurdistan. An effective and winning strategy leads to the conclusion that Raqqa should be liberated by Arab forces. The Syrian Democratic Forces, which are led by the Kurdish YPG and include also an Arab component named Syrian Arab Coalition, to date lack adequate equipment and training and may not be strong enough to defeat the Islamic State even with the support of US airstrikes. Relying on them in the liberation of Raqqa may result in a long-protracted war with heavy casualties and uncertain conclusion. There is the risk that US troops, now in ‘advisory’ role, will get involved in direct combat operations to make up for the deficiencies of the Syrian Democratic Forces and set up a chain of unforeseeable events with disastrous consequences. Erdogan’s Turkey, which vehemently opposes any role by the Kurds in the liberation of Raqqa, will obstruct their intervention by any means. Assad, who says that capturing Raqqa is a priority of the Syrian Army, will oppose a US-backed and Kurdish-led offensive without coordination with his government. On this Russia will side with Assad. The Syrian Democratic Forces cannot be the leader in the Raqqa offensive but a participant in auxiliary roles. The US should welcome the Assad pledge to liberate Raqqa and coordinate with Russia the military operations. The benefits for US will be to win the war against the Islamic State in Syria, save lives and money.

Backed by US troops, SDF confident can capture IS 'capital’ Raqqa - WTOP

US-backed SDF captures 40 km of land between Deir Ezzor and Raqqa - almasdarnews.com

Syrian Kurdish-led forces capture strategic Menxer hill near Raqqa - ekurd

VIDEO: Syrian Democratic Forces release 40 captured Turkey-backed rebels to relieve tensions between warring parties - almasdarnews.com

Hundreds of ISIS fighters pour into Raqqa as Kurdish forces advance - almasdarnews.com

300 families of IS fighters flee Syria's Raqqa - gulf-times.com

Spokesperson: Coalition will support SDF to cut off IS routes in Raqqa - kurdistan24.net

U.S. says Kurdish YPG group of Syrian Kurdistan not terrorist - ekurd

US prepares surprise assault on Raqqa by Ranger Regiment: Reports - southfront.org

Russia, US discuss communications channel on Syria: Pentagon - TASS

U.S. split over plan to take Raqqa from Islamic State - WSJ

Three-way contest for Raqqa to shape Mideast - WSJ

Dem introduces bill to block Trump administration from funding U.S. troops in Syria - breitbart.com

Turkey kills 71 US-backed Kurdish fighters in Syria: Army - kurdistan24.net

Turkish FM: Turkey will hit PYD/PKK in Syria's Manbij if they stay - yenisafak.com

Turkey plans to build new town near Syrian Al-Bab - southfront.org

Syrian rebels want Astana meeting delayed to assess ceasefire - Reuters

Agenda of Geneva talks on Syria set for March 23 : 1. Counter-Terrorism 2. New Constitution 3. Elections 4. Governance 5. Reconstruction - Dr Shahid on Twitter

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Assad calls U.S. forces 'invaders', but still hopeful on Trump - Reuters

Assad says priority is capturing IS capital Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor, Syrian army girds for final showdown with Daesh - Sputnik

Assad opens doors for China to restore Syria ‘in every sector with no exception' - Sputnik

VIDEO: Assad interview - Phoenix Chinese Channel

TRANSCRIPT: Assad interview to Chinese Phoenix TV - Syrian Arab News Agency

Military expert: Syrian army to besiege Raqqa from West - farsnews.com

Army destroys ISIS gatherings and boats in Deir Ezzor – Syrian Arab News Agency

Army destroys tank and fuel tanker for ISIS in Deir Ezzor, targets ISIS and al-Nusra in Homs – Syrian Arab News Agency

Syrian Govt restored pumping stations feeding Aleppo city with water supplies - southfront.org

Army unit seized Turkish truck loaded with weapons and ammo bound for ISIS terrorists in Hama – Syrian Arab News Agency

Syrian government urges U.N. to make Turkey withdraw from Syria - Reuters

Damascus bombings near Shite pilgrimage sites kill dozens - The New York Times

Syria demands UN condemnation of terrorist attacks in Damascus – Syrian Arab News Agency

Israel concerned by reported pending deal between Iran and Assad regime that would see Islamic Republic build military base at Mediterranean port of Latakia - Algemeiner.com

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Focus: Syria - Mar 8, 2017

Marines have arrived in Syria to fire artillery in the fight for Raqqa - The Washington Post

US weighs deploying up to 1,000 'reserve' troops to Kuwait for IS fight - CNBC

US expanding Kobani airport runway to receive large transport aircraft - southfront.org

With a show of stars and stripes, U.S. forces in Syria try to keep Turkish and Kurdish warring allies apart - The Washington Post

VIDEO: US troops on the ground in Syria - Canoe Video

Islamic State losing territory but still determined to fight, an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 fighters remain in Raqqa: U.S. military says - New York Times

ISIS on trajectory toward lasting defeat, defense official says - U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

IS leaders reportedly fleeing Syrian de facto capital Raqqa to the nearby province of Deir Ezzor, local sources say - VOA

Iraq to continue striking Islamic State targets in Syria, Abadi says - Reuters

U.S. appears to root for Kurdish support in Raqqa push: Turkish sources - Reuters

Turkey shuts down US aid group Mercy Corps as relations with Washington deteriorate - Fox News

Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) sends aid to civilians in Syrian town Al Bab - aa.com

Turkey Applies political pressure by cutting off water to Syria - Sputnik

Turkey pushes Syria safe zones again, wants the issue on the agenda at the next round of U.N.-led peace talks in Geneva scheduled for later this month - VOA

Kurdish-led forces clash with Turkish military in Efrin canton - almasdarnews.com

Fight IS, start 'revolution': Why foreigners join Syria Kurds - AFP

UN envoy says next round of Syrian talks to start March 23 - therepublic.com

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Syrian Army liberates more territory in east Aleppo pushing towards Raqqa - almasdarnews.com

+20 villages liberated as the Syrian Army seizes ISIS pocket in stunning Aleppo offensive - almasdarnews.com

Syrian army captures water station supplying Aleppo from Islamic State - Reuters

Syrian Army reaches Lake Assad for the first time since 2012 amid humiliating ISIS defeat - almasdarnews.com

VIDEO (Arabic): Syrian Army Tiger Forces liberates Khafseh & reaches Euphrates river - YouTube

Syrian Army advances on Jihar military airbase - southfront.org

Syrian Army captures areas outside Kashish military airport East of Aleppo - Sputnik

Syrian Army amassing soldiers in northwest Aleppo for new offensive - almasdarnews.com

PHOTOS: Another amazing day for the Syrian Army as ISIS faces full annihilation in rural Aleppo - almasdarnews.com

VIDEO: Russian Special Forces engage terrorists in Latakia and Aleppo - almasdarnews.com

Syrian Army breaks through ISIS defense line in Hama - southfront.org

Syrian Army pushes militants out of Daraa city districts - Sputnik

Syrian special forces trained by Russian military advisers ready to fight against ISIS in Homs - southfront.org

PHOTOS: Syrian Army captures underground insurgent HQ in eastern Damascus - almasdarnews.com

MAP: Extrapolation of the population in Syria under control of each war faction: Government 71%, Syrian Democratic Forces 13%, Rebels 9%, ISIS 7% - Syrian Civil War Map on Twitter

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Focus: Syria - Mar 6, 2017

U.S. military deploys forces in Syria's Manbij to be a 'visible sign of deterrence and reassurance' - Reuters

The 75th Ranger Regiment hits the ground in Syria to participate in the war against ISIS - SOFREP

VIDEO: US troops spotted in armored convoy near Manbij, Syria - RT News

Syrian militia says Manbij under protection of U.S.-led alliance - Reuters

US and Russian troops patrol neighboring villages in Syria - Telegraph

Russian and US forces reach common ground in Syria, troops from both countries patrol the same Syrian town in close co-operation - The Times

U.S. base near Manbij appears to house military transport aircraft CH-4 Chinook in addition to transfer helicopters V-22 Osprey and assault aircraft AH-64 Apache - almasdarnews.com

US-led coalition carries out 2 strikes against Daesh near Manbij - Sputnik

Plans to boost Roj Peshmerga troops to 10,000, commander says US gave the green light for the Roj troops to enter Kurdish territories in Syria - Rudaw

Scores of Kurds killed, two villages captured by Turkish-back forces west of Manbij (PHOTOS) - almasdarnews.com

Turkey says to step back from striking Syria's Manbij unless it is in cooperation with Russia and the United States - AFP

Ankara content with Syrian regime presence in Manbij if PYD withdraws - Daily Sabah

Defence Minister Işık: Turkey will prevent unification of PYD cantons at all costs - Daily Sabah

Next rounds of Syria talks to be held in mid-March in Astana - Kurdpress News Aganecy

EU to host Syria conference on Apr 5 with UN: Mogherini - Channel NewsAsia

Moscow wants to include PYD Kurds in next Geneva talks - ARA News

Benjamin Netanyahu to urge Russia to say 'nyet' to Iranian ops in Syria near Israel border - Jerusalem Post

------------------------------------------

Kurdish forces begin to hand over 20 villages to the Syrian Army in rural Aleppo, all located between Al-Bab and Manbij - almasdarnews.com

Manbij Military Council denies handing over Manbij city to Assad - ARA News

Government troops gain more ground liberating villages in Aleppo and isolating ISIS stronghold of Dier Hafer - southfront.org

ISIS continues rapid decline in rural Aleppo as Syrian Army liberates two new towns - almasdarnews.com

Syrian Army liberates Jazal gas fields in northern Palmyra - almasdarnews.com

ISIL faces expulsion from east Aleppo: the Syrian Army has liberated more than 100 villages since mid-January - almasdarnews.com

PHOTOS: Lots of T-90 main battle tanks supplied by Russia to Syrian Army - southfront.org

Five more Syrian Army soldiers captured by Turkish forces in Aleppo province (PHOTOS) - almasdarnews.com

Turkey to allow family of Syrian pilot who crashed to visit him: PM - Reuters

US-backed Syrian forces cut key road linking Raqqa, Deir Ezzor - VOA

Syrian Kurds to make deal with Damascus: representative - Kurdpress News Aganecy

Battle for Manbij shows Syria’s civil war is almost over – and it looks like Bashar Assad has won - The Independent

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Focus: Syria - Mar 4, 2017

Pentagon: Russian and Syrian regime convoys enter northern Syria city Manbij, they have some armored equipment with them - AFP

Pentagon: US operations in Syria unaffected as Russia moves convoys to Manbij - Sputnik

Pentagon was not aware of Manbij deal between SDF and Assad regime, US official says - Daily Sabah

US-led coalition sends troops to Manbij to 'deter aggression and keep focus on defeating ISIS': spokesperson - Rudaw

PHOTO: More US SOFs deployed to north of Manbij by the Sajur river to prevent Turkish/jihadi attacks on SDF - Gilgo on Twitter

VIDEO: Manbij Military Council set up new base with ‘international coalition’ help - YouTube

US commander says Syrian Arab Coalition is now majority group within SDF - Rudaw

PYD proxy won’t need U.S. State Department permission to open a Washington office: diplomatic sources - Daily Sabah

US Air Force aided Syrian Army, Russian military liberate Palmyra - almasdarnews.com

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Russian MOD General Staff chief Sergey Rudskoy confirms Syria regime takeover in YPG-held Manbij - Daily Sabah

VIDEO (English Subs): Syria briefing by Chief of MOD of Russian General Staff Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoy - LiveLeak.com

Syrian Army and Kurdish coordination strengthens as food enters Manbij district - almasdarnews.com

Kurds hope corridor to Aleppo will ease economic blockade on Rojava - Rudaw

Kurdish YPG fighters repel Turkish attack near Syria's Afrin - ARA News

Turkey sends armored vehicles to northern Aleppo amid escalating tensions with Kurdish forces - almasdarnews.com

Walls, drones and mines: Turkey tightens border as Syria incursion deepens - Reuters

Syria's water cut off by Turkey - aina.org

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Syrian army takes more villages from militants in northwest Syria - Reuters

MAP: Once again huge SAA advances vs. ISIS in eastern Aleppo. Government forces are approaching lake Assad (approx. 16 km) - Peto Lucem on Twitter

Russia's General Staff reveals details of Palmyra operation: Russian aviation and Special Operations forces have made a considerable contribution - TASS

VIDEO: Syrian Army, Qud's forces conduct operations against terrorists in rural Aleppo - almasdarnews.com

Ahrar al-Sham: Syrian jet crashes near Turkey after attack by the group (VIDEO) - Middle East Eye

VIDEO: Four Syrian Army soldiers captured by Turkish-led forces in rural Aleppo - almasdarnews.com

Turkish-backed rebels capture two more Syrian soldiers near Al-Bab - almasdarnews.com

Al-Qaeda affiliate filmed using US anti-tank missiles in west Aleppo - almasdarnews.com

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Focus: Syria - Mar 2, 2017

Manbij is Turkey's next target in Syria, and the SDF must also not be in Raqqa: Erdoğan - Daily Sabah

'Turkey will hit PKK/PYD in Manbij unless it retreats’: Mevlut Cavusoglu - aa.com

Turkey sets up military bases in Syrian Cities of al-Bab, Azaz - Sputnik

Turkey deploys elite commando units in Syria - Daily Sabah

Concurrent attacks by Turkish army, affiliates and ISIS against SDF on Manbij - ANF

Manbij Military Council regains what it lost in the city’s countryside hours after losing it to Turkey backed forces - SOHR

MAP: Manbij: Turks & Ahrar al Sham attack from the West - whilst Daesh attacks from the South - Doloroso on Twitter

VIDEO: Turkish backed forces advances to Manbij - YouTube

Turkey may shut off İncirlik Air Base to US - yenisafak.com

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To counter Turkey, US-backed Kurdish forces agree to hand over key Manbij area to Syrian government in deal brokered by Russia - Middle East Eye

Statement (Arabic) from SDF saying they have handed over several towns to the Syrian army west of Manbij due to EuphratesShield attacks - Twitter

MAP: Kurdish-led SDF to handover huge section of Manbij territory to Syrian army - almasdarnews.com

Damascus looks to Syrian Kurds to counter Turkey - Middle East Online

Syrian Army liberates 10 villages in eastern Aleppo amid dash towards Euphrates River - almasdarnews.com

Syrian army announces recapture of Palmyra from Islamic State, with help from allied forces and Russian warplanes - Reuters

Hezbollah, Russia and the U.S. help Syria retake Palmyra - The Washington Post

Syrian opposition likens Palmyra battles to 'Tom and Jerry' show - Reuters

Russia and Syria say opposition trying to wreck peace talks - Reuters

At peace talks, Syria rebels urge Trump to correct Obama's 'catastrophic mistakes' - Reuters

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U.S.: Kurds will participate in some form in attack on Raqqa - The Washington Post

US arms Syrian Arab Coalition to combat ISIS in Raqqa - ARA News

Syrian Kurds receive US weapons, vehicles via Iraq - Kurdpress News Aganecy

US sets up military base in Syrian Manbij to ‘defend it from Turkish attack’: SDF officer - Sputnik

Standoff in Manbij as US troops face the Turkish Army across the battlefield (VIDEO) - almasdarnews.com

U.S. General says no evidence of YPG attacks from Northern Syria on Turkey - Reuters

Central Command tweets photos of Kurdish women fighting ISIS - Business Insider

Syrian opposition figure to deploy all-Arab force in Raqqa offensive alongside the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces - Reuters

U.S. commander downplays chance of big Iraq, Syria troop hike - Reuters

Russians strike U.S.-backed forces in Syria by mistake believing they were ISIS, general says - usatoday.com

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Focus: Syria - Feb 27, 2017

Syrian army advance opens new link to Kurdish areas, bringing it to the edge of SDF-held areas south of Manbij - Reuters

Damascus opens up trade route with Kurds in northern Syria - almasdarnews.com

MAP: Syrian army links up with the Syrian Democratic Forces in Manbij, finally allowing Efrin to call home - Aron Lund on Twitter

Syrian soldiers block Turkey-backed militants' only pathway to Manbij - farsnews.com

Syrian troops block Turkish push to Raqqa - Morning Star

Syrian army advances against Islamic State near Aleppo, takes the town of Tadef south of al-Bab: monitor - Reuters

Turkey-backed FSA rebels clash with Syrian army in Tadef near Al Bab - Reuters

Russia stops the fighting between Syrian army, Turkish-backed rebels near Al Bab - Sputnik

Massive loss for ISIS as Kurdish troops restart operations south of Manbij - almasdarnews.com

Syrian Arab Coalition makes major gains toward Raqqa, Pentagon says - Sputnik

U.S.-backed fighters in Syria worry more about Turkey than ISIS - Foreign Policy

"We'll quit Raqqa and fight in Manbij if Turkey/FSA attacks," YPG officials tell US military - Map of Syrian Civil war

Syrian planes transfer Kurdish PYD wounded members to Damascus: Official - basnews

Kurdish fighters capture three new villages in dash towards Deir Ezzor - almasdarnews.com

Thousands of Kurdish troops arrive from Iraq to spearhead Deir Ezzor offensive - .almasdarnews.com

Barzani's agenda in Turkey visit: ‘Rojava Peshmergas’ in Syria offensive - ekurd

Syrian Kurdish Peshmerga forces not part of Free Syrian Army or YPG: officials - ARA News

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Mattis gives White House tentative plan for rapid defeat of ISIS - Military.com

Top US commander for Mideast visits Kurdish-led SDF troops in secret Syria trip: alliance - AFP

US general says Kurdish-led SDF forces need heavy weapons to destroy ISIS in Raqqa - ARA News

US sends new batch of armored vehicles to Kurdish forces (PHOTO) - almasdarnews.com

US Central Command tweets support for Manbij Military Council despite Turkish threats - almasdarnews.com

PHOTO: Image purporting to show US forces on demarcation line between the SDF and Turkish backed forces in Manbij - syria.liveuamap.com

US, Russia need more talk on ISIS fight, Air Force general says - Military.com

Al Qaeda second in command killed in US drone strike in Syria. Who is Abu Khayr al-Masri? - ibtimes.com

A big story here: Many dozens of the most hard-line fighters in northwestern Syria headed to Raqqa after a free-passage deal with Al Qaeda - Hassan Hassan حسن on Twitter

Turkey sends troops, armored personnel carriers to Syrian border: Reports - Sputnik

Turkey cutting Euphrates River flow to Syrian villages particularly in Kobani and Manbij, it is a violation of intl. conventions of water - alwaght.com

Turkey builds more than half of Syrian border wall - DW.COM

Turkey will end operation in Syria after Manbij captured: Tayyip Erdogan's adviser - UPI.com

Russia plays key role in maintaining ceasefire in Syria: Erdogan’s Adviser - Sputnik

Erdogan's adviser says March meeting with Putin to focus on Syria - Sputnik

Russia forms elite Syrian unit to hunt ISIS terrorists - macedoniaonline.eu

Russian frigate heads to Mediterranean on Syria mission: source - Reuters

A shipment of 17394 tons of wheat, sent by Russia to Syrian people, arrive in Tartous - Syrian Arab News Agency

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu: Russia, US may conduct joint operations against ISIS in Raqqa - TASS

Top-notch Kh-101 cruise missiles that Russia unleashes on Daesh in Raqqa - Sputnik

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Focus: Syria and Turkey - Feb 22, 2017

Extensive efforts to solve the knots for the official launch of the fourth round of Syria peace talks at Geneva - ASHARQ AL-AWSAT

Syrian opposition says direct negotiations with Damascus regime necessary to reach political solution in Geneva talks - ARA News

De Mistura: Intra-Syria talks in Geneva impossible without ceasefire holding - Tasnim News Agency

Russia asks Syria to halt bombing during UN peace talks - AFP

Lavrov: Russia waiting for US to provide ‘details’ on proposed safe zones in Syria, they should be agreed with Damascus - RT News

Full text of the a new Syrian draft Constitution, proposed by Russia and presented to opposition leaders - Sputnik

More U.S. troops may be needed against ISIS in Syria, a top general says - The New York Times

Exclusive: CIA-backed aid for Syrian rebels frozen after Islamist attack: sources - Reuters

Kurdish-Arab alliance pushes into Deir ez-Zor, expels ISIS from several villages - ARA News

Manbij Military Council: We will fight Turkish army if they attack Manbij - freerepublic.com

US coalition continues to assist SDF-led Manbij Military Council north Syria - ARA News

McCain meets Erdogan, calls for the formation of a US-Turkish partnership to solve the Syrian crisis - Middle East Monitor

Statement of SASC Chairman John McCain on meeting with Turkish President Erdogan - United States Senator John McCain

Trump critic McCain meets Saudi king - DAWN.COM

Saudi Arabia 'ready to send ground troops' to Syria - alaraby.co.uk

Dem senator asks for 'top to bottom' review of Syria policy - TheHill

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Multiple sites seized from ISIS as the Turkish Army reaches Al-Bab city centre - almasdarnews.com

Turkey Defense Minister: ‘100 Daesh fighters’ left in Syria’s Al-Bab, half of the town in the hands of Turkish troops and allied Syrian rebels - Arab News

VIDEO: Al Bab street war: Turkish Forces and Syrian rebels attack ISIS - YouTube

Turkish Defense Minister to US: Act over Syria’s Manbij or we’ll reconsider a military operation there - Hurriyet

'Turkey will not seek permission to address threats’ whether in Al-Bab, Aleppo, Raqqa in Syria or Tal Afar, Sinjar in Iraq: Presidency spokesman - aa.com

Seizing control of Syria's Al-Bab important to push for Raqqa: Turkish official - US News

Turkey wants to see FSA replace SDF in Raqqa battle - Rudaw

Claim that PYD only effective force against Daesh collapsed, says Ankara - Daily Sabah

Turkey: Send US Special Forces to northern Syria to back Syrian opposition forces - Middle East Monitor

VIDEO: Turkey's Erdogan says aims safe zone in Syria after Raqqa operation - YouTube

Turkey failed to deliver a Syrian force to take Raqqa: analysis - ARA News

Regional rivals Iran, Turkey trade barbs over Syria - AFP

Erdoğan fans an Islamic nationalism in bid to build Ottoman-style influence - Christian Science Monitor

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Focus: Syria and Turkey - Feb 18, 2017

US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces inch closer to IS ‘capital’ Raqqa - AP

Syrian Democratic Forces liberate villages in the Raqqa campaign - ANHA

Syrian Democratic Forces liberate two more Raqqa villages from IS - milletpress.com

Syrian Democratic Forces liberate prison on the outskirts of Raqqa city - almasdarnews.com

Islamic State fortifies Raqqa with barricades, landmines, booby-trapped explosives and suicide bombers - alaraby.co.uk

Islamic State 'bureaucrats' fleeing Raqqa stronghold in Syria - Reuters

Russian strategic bombers hit ISIS in Raqqa in coordination with Pentagon via ‘deconfliction line’ (VIDEO) - RT News

Syrian Kurds will fight Turkish forces if they advance towards Raqqa: Kurdish leader - Kurdpress News Aganecy

Kurds pledge to fight Turkey to retain Syria's Manbij - Al Jazeera

SDF Commander: We promise our people to liberate Raqqa very soon - anfenglish.com

Coalition general says SDF forces most likely to take Raqqa from ISIS, not Turkey - ARA News

Next phase of SDF Raqqa operation sees alliance with Deir Ezzor Military Council - Rudaw

Wrath of Euphrates campaign statement on the Raqqa - Deir Ezzor connection - ypgrojava.org

US Airforce propels the Syrian Democratic Forces to capture three villages from ISIS in the northern Deir Ezzor countryside - almasdarnews.com

Kurdish forces overrun two more ISIS-held villages north of Deir Ezzor - almasdarnews.com

Kurds call on Russia to defend Syria's federalization on international level - Sputnik

Russia pushes hard to include Syria’s Kurds in Geneva talks - Rudaw

After a month of military operations, regime forces advance over IS in 50 areas - Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Syrian Coalition spokeperson: Assad cannot have a role in Syria, Geneva talks should discuss political transition - etilaf.org

Isis’ ‘business model’ failing as group haemorrhages millions while losing territory across Syria and Iraq: Report - The Independent

ICSR/EY Report key findings: "Caliphate in Decline: An Estimate of Islamic State’s Financial Fortunes" - ICSR

REPORT: "Caliphate in Decline: An Estimate of Islamic State’s Financial Fortunes" - ICSR

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Turkey sets out Raqqa operation plans to U.S.: report - Reuters

Turkish PM: If the Trump administration opts for the YPG and PYD in the Raqqa operation 'there will be serious problems in relations with the U.S.' - Hurriyet

Turkey threatens to move on Kurdish-held stronghold Manbij in Syria - Middle East Monitor

Erdogan interview: We will eradicate terrorism with GCC support - Saudi Gazette

Turkey says almost taken Syria's Bab, war monitor says the jihadists still control 90 percent of the town and that shelling and air strikes killed dozens of civilians - Reuters

Turkish forces lose ground as ISIL's mounts counter-offensive in Al-Bab - almasdarnews.com

Syria government and monitoring group blast Turkey over civilian deaths - The Washington Post

Casualties by the Turkish forces in al-Bab city - Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Syria calls on Turkey to withdraw troops from Syria, close border - CCTV News

No breakthroughs at second round of Syrian peace talks in Astana - rferl.org

Trump: Gulf states will pay for safe zones in Syria - The Daily Caller

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Focus: Syria - Feb 15, 2017

Pentagon might propose sending ground troops to Syria - CNNPolitics.com

VIDEO: Pentagon considering proposing troops in Syria - CNN Video

The United States confirms use of depleted uranium in Syria, the toxic material has been accused of causing cancer and birth defects - Foreign Policy

Tillerson, Dunford to meet with Russian counterpart - KBZK.com

Russian top diplomat says broad anti-terrorist front forming in Syria - TASS

Anti-Assad states to meet amid concerns over US policy on Syria - The Guardian

Stoltenberg rules out NATO's involvement in combat operations against IS in Syria - TASS

Turkish FM rules out engaging with Assad for solution to the conflict, defends Ankara's calls for safe zones in Syria - qatar-tribune.com

The positions of Saudi Arabia and Turkey are “absolutely identical” on Syria: Saudi foreign minister - Middle East Monitor

Qatar's ties with Turkey at new heights - The Peninsula Qatar

Syria talks in Kazakh capital Astana delayed, delegations downgraded - Reuters

Cease-fire brokered by Turkey and Russia frays in Syria’s south as rebels launch new offensive in Daraa - The Washington Post

Russian strikes target rebels at southern Syria border crossing, moderate Islamists and al-Qaeda fighters cooperate in attempt to expand into Daraa - Antiwar.com

The truce of the Caesar (Putin) and Sultan (Erdogan) ends the 46 day with growing breaches within the ceasefire areas - Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Prominent FSA rebel spokesman assassinated in Daraa province, he was scheduled to attend the Syria peace talks in Astana - almasdarnews.com

ISIS fights back in al-Bab against Syria regime troops and Turkish-led forces - ARA News

The Syria regime forces are about 5 km northwest of Deir Hafer town after controlling 9 villages in the road between it and al-Bab area - Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Contrary to Turkish optimism, an arduous battle against a ‘dug-in’ Islamic State in al-Bab - Syria Direct

Jordan commander: IS expands hold in border camp for Syrians - AP

Ahrar al-Sham claims 955 of its members defected during infighting w. AQ/JFS in Syria - Charles Lister on Twitter

Hizbollah boosted by battleground successes in Syria conflict - FT.com

Libyan National Army troops may be trained in Syria by Russia - Stratfor

U.N. warns of catastrophic dam failure in Syria battle - Reuters

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Syrian Kurdish groups expect U.S. support, will fight any Turkish advance - Reuters

Turkey unwelcome: Syrian Kurds ready to defend territories liberated from Daesh, including the city of Manbij - Sputnik

Syrian Kurds want Turkish 'occupants' to stay away from liberating Raqqa - ekurd

Turkey warns US defense secretary over PKK/PYD in Syria - aa.com

YPG entrance into Raqqa a threat against Turkey’s security: deputy PM - Kurdpress News Aganecy

Turkish soldiers, Syrian Kurds exchange fire as Islamic State battle rages on - Breitbart

Uninvited Syrian PYD Kurds 'not expecting much' from Astana talks, not to recognize unattended conferences’ decisions - ekurd

Syrian PYD Kurds reportedly not invited to Geneva IV peace talks: PYD chief Muslim - ekurd

Asya Abdullah: We will not recognise a Syrian constitution drafted without Kurds - Kom News

Interview with co-chair of Syria Democratic Council Ilham Ahmad - ekurd

Any Syria settlement meetings excluding Kurds doomed to fail: Turkish HDP Party - Sputnik

Pan-Kurdish conference takes place in Russia - ekurd

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

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Talk Nation Radio: Is Amnesty International Promoting War in Syria?

https://soundcloud.com/davidcnswanson/talk-nation-radio-is-amnesty-international-promoting-war-in-syria

Rick Sterling is an independent investigative journalist who just wrote the article "Amnesty International Stokes Syrian War" for ConsortiumNews.com.

Find Sterling's article here:
https://consortiumnews.com/2017/02/11/amnesty-international-stokes-syrian-war

Find the Amnesty International report here: http://www.amnestyusa.org/sites/default/files/human_slaughterhouse.pdf

Total run time: 29:00

Host: David Swanson.
Producer: David Swanson.
Music by Duke Ellington.

Download from LetsTryDemocracy or Archive.

Pacifica stations can also download from Audioport.

Syndicated by Pacifica Network.

Please encourage your local radio stations to carry this program every week!

Please embed the SoundCloud audio on your own website!

Past Talk Nation Radio shows are all available free and complete at
http://TalkNationRadio.org

and at
https://soundcloud.com/davidcnswanson/tracks

Focus: Turkey and Syria - Feb 12, 2017

Erdogan says Turkish troops inside Syria's al-Bab, end goal is Raqqa and clearing the area of both Islamic State and Kurdish YPG - Middle East Eye

The 'Islamic State' still in control over most of al-Bab city and repels 2 violent attacks on Bzaah and Qabasin - Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

VIDEO: Turkey sets sights on ISIS capital Raqqa - YouTube

Erdogan: 'Next step is to establish a no-fly zone, then they [the Syrians] will be able to establish their national army' - Middle East Observer

Russia deescalated clash between pro-Syrian government,Turkish-backed forces in Al Bab - Rudaw

Turkey bombs Kurdish villages northwest Syria - ARA News

Turkey aims to strengthen ties with Gulf as Erdoğan starts 3-day visit in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Qatar - Daily Sabah

VIDEO: President Erdogan visits the Gulf region - YouTube

Turkey's ties with Saudi Arabia strategically important: Erdogan - KUNA

Riyadh, Ankara on same page on Mideast: Saudi envoy - Daily Sabah

Turkey referendum on boosting presidential powers set for April 16, opponents fear a lurch towards authoritarianism - France 24

Turkey pressures media ahead of Erdogan referendum, the opposition says the space for debate is already being squeezed - DW.COM

Turkish officials demand Gulen extradition, end of support to Syrian Kurds during Pompeo visit - Breibart

Turkey demands extradition of Gulen supporters from 16 countries - Sofia News Agency

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Syrian Democratic Forces seize more ground east Raqqa amid ISIS retreat - ARA News

Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces: 124 ISIS militants killed, 98 villages captured east of Raqqa - ARA News

Syrian Democratic Forces: Raqqa’s Arab tribes support us in fight against IS - Kurdpress News Aganecy

All-Arab force to enter Raqqa once liberated: Syrian Democratic Forces commander - Rudaw

PYD delegation meets with Syrian government representatives, discuss attempts to prevent the Turkish-led Euphrates Shield operation in northern Syria - Kurdpress News Aganecy

Moscow mediates talks between Assad & Syrian Kurds: Russian FM - RT News

Kurdish towns reconcile with Syrian government in Aleppo - almasdarnews.com

YPG has been using US anti-tank missiles for a year: Report - Daily Sabah

Tensions between Kurdish rivals in Syria continue, three KNC officials arrested by the PYD - ARA News

KNC officials to join Syria peace talks in Geneva, PYD excluded - ARA News

Russia pushes hard to include Syria’s Kurds in Geneva talks - Rudaw

Moscow to host pan-Kurdish conference on 15 February with the participation of Kurds from Iran, Turkey, Iraq and Syria - ARA News

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Assad says US troops welcome in Syria to fight ‘terrorism' - ABC News

Assad: Trump's plan for safe zones in Syria 'not a realistic idea’ (VIDEO) - TheHill

VIDEO: Defiant Assad tells Amnesty International torture and mass hanging report is 'fake news’ - Yahoo News

Hearsay extrapolated: Amnesty claims mass executions In Syria, provides zero proof - M of A

Amnesty International’s kangaroo report on Syria - theduran.com

Amnesty Internation report on Syria: a response from a Syrian dissident (former political prisoner living in Europe) - The Angry Arab News Service

Saydnaya report: Amnesty hired special effects experts to fabricate 'evidence' - Centre for Research on Globalization

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

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Focus: Islamic State - Jan 18, 2017

Note: The Islamic State has launched an offensive against the besieged Syrian government held areas in Deir Ezzor. The situation is very critical with looming mass killings and starvation. Could this be a test of a new U.S.-Russia military cooperation in the fight against terrorism? Deir Ezzor is strategically important: it is a major Islamic State supply route from Syria to Iraq and it is closed to key oilfields.

Islamic State surrounds government held military airport in Deir ez-Zor, cutting off food supplies for the civilians - The Guardian

Fears of mass killings as IS advances in Syria's on government-held areas of Deir Ezzor - AFP

Syrian soldiers battle in last stand against ISIS at Deir Ezzor - Lima Charlie News

Syrian helicopters land in Deir Ezzor for first time since ISIS offensive, bringing in fresh reinforcements and carrying away injured soldiers - almasdarnews.com

Unprecedented Russian airstrikes as ISIS threatens to take Deir ez-Zor. Encircled Syrian city hangs by a thread - russia-insider.com

High-ranking Syrian general arrives in Deir Ezzor - almasdarnews.com

VIDEO: War reports from Deir ez-Zor - YouTube

PHOTOS: ISIS Attacks Syrian army at power plant near Deir ez-Zor - Heavy.com

Russian media: US gave ISIS escape route from Mosul to Syria; now civilians are paying the price in Deir ez-Zor - RT Op-Edge

U.S. increasing airdrops of supplies to Kurdish-Arab Syrian Democratic Forces battling ISIS in Syria - militarytimes.com

U.S. officials say sizable Arab force identified for Raqqa campaign - WSJ

Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces repel aggressive ISIS attack west of Raqqa - Rudaw