Nov 06 WATCH: The film that captures the heart of Damascus before the war By Corinne Segal Syrian filmmaker Waref Abu Quba shot his short film “In Damascus” in 2011, shortly before civil war erupted in his country. Continue reading
Nov 05 Americans souring on Obama's Islamic State plan, poll finds By Josh Lederman, Emily Swanson, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Americans are souring on President Barack Obama's approach to fighting the Islamic State, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll that also found deep pessimism about U.S. prospects for success in Afghanistan and uncertainty about Obama's plan to leave… Continue reading
Nov 04 U.S. diplomats: Russian strikes have not halted Islamic State By Deb Riechmann, Associated Press Two top U.S. diplomats said Wednesday that 85 to 90 percent of Russian air strikes in Syria have killed moderate opposition forces and civilians and that Moscow's intervention has done little to stop Islamic State militants. Continue reading
Nov 03 Obama says special forces in Syria do not break 'no boots on ground' promise By Josh Lederman, Associated Press NEWARK, N.J. — President Barack Obama says the U.S. is not putting its troops on the front lines in Syria to fight the Islamic State, despite his decision to deploy special operations troops on the ground. Continue reading
Oct 31 With Syria deployment, Obama crosses own red line By Julie Pace, Associated Press Even as President Barack Obama sent U.S. troops back to Iraq and ordered the military to stay in Afghanistan, he insisted Syria would remain off limits for American ground forces. Now the president has crossed his own red line. Continue reading
Oct 31 U.S. troops in Syria will only fight Islamic State, Kerry says By Bradley Klapper, Associated Press U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says American special operations troops being sent to Syria will only fight Islamic State militants and won't become involved in the long-running civil war. Continue reading
Oct 30 Watch 7:52 Will U.S. military and diplomatic efforts help resolve the Syrian war? By PBS News Hour How significant is the Obama administration decision to send special forces into Syria to help combat the Islamic State? And how does the move impact diplomatic efforts to end the war? Judy Woodruff gets reaction from Joshua Landis of the… Continue watching
Oct 30 Watch 5:33 U.S. steps up military involvement against IS in Syria as Kerry meets for diplomatic talks By PBS News Hour The White House confirmed that U.S. commandos are going into Northern Syria as part of a coalition aimed at dismantling the Islamic State, marking a shift from President Obama's previous stance against committing ground troops. Meanwhile, Secretary of State John… Continue watching
Oct 30 Watch 54:22 PBS NewsHour full episode October 30, 2015 By PBS News Hour Friday on the NewsHour, the White House confirms they are sending a small number of troops into Northern Syria to help dismantle the Islamic State. Also: Candidates vie for union support despite waning influence, Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss… Continue watching
Oct 30 Watch Shields and Brooks on shifting strategy in Syria, Paul Ryan's speaker ascension By PBS News Hour Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Judy Woodruff to discuss the week’s news, including the Obama administration’s announcement that it is putting boots on the ground in Syria, newly elected Speaker Paul Ryan’s goals… Continue watching