 Is This the Oldest Image of the Virgin Mary?

A detail of the baptistery painting from Deir ez-Zor, Syria, that may portray the Virgin Mary.
Reidentifying this woman helps us to ponder anew the distinctive emphases of early Christians in
Syria, who in this baptistery celebrated salvation through images of marriage, pregnancy and
birth. By MICHAEL PEPPARD JAN. 30, 2016
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/31/opinion/sunday/is-this-the-oldest-image-of-the-virgin-
mary.html

 Exposure of US spying on Israeli drones served a pressing Russian interest

The disclosure of Operational Anchor at this time was intended to show Israel that its much
vaunted technological superiority is a myth and highly vulnerable to US and British espionage. It
was therefore meant to be understood as Moscow’s Keep Out of Syria warning to the Israel air
force. DEBKAfile Exclusive Analysis January 31, 2016
http://www.debka.com/article/25199/Exposure-of-US-spying-on-Israeli-drones-served-a-
pressing-Russian-interest

 Russia establishes hard facts on the ground in Syria

One is frequently reminded of this process when evaluating the Russian campaign, and what
appears to be Moscow’s general strategy in Syria. Here is a major power which is ostensibly
open to negotiating an end to the Syrian war but is showing no let-up in its bombing of the
various armed groups arrayed against its client regime in Damascus. By Paul Iddon 1 hour ago
http://rudaw.net/mobile/english/analysis/310120161

 Syria talks are a failure, but attending is important

The Syrian opposition delegation, which arrived in Geneva to join U.N.-mediated peace talks,
seems to be solid despite the losses inflicted on it due to recent Russian shelling and which most
recently led to the loss of the Sheikh Miskeen town to the regime forces. The delegation consists
of 17 opposition figures and is headed by Riad Hijab who is respected by most factions.
Abdulrahman al-Rashed Sunday, 31 January 2016
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2016/01/31/Syria-talks-are-a-failure-but-
attending-is-important.html

 Are Washington, Ankara Seeking To Redraw Syrian, Iranian Borders?

Incredible as it may seem, Washington is about to kick off a third American military program
aimed at training so-called “moderate rebels” inside Syria; the US authorities are currently
considering Ankara’s request to re-start the program. By Staff Writers, Sputnik Saturday, Jan 30,
2016 http://axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/printer_72873.shtml

 Syria peace talks in peril before they start after opposition group threatens to
withdraw
"There is every reason to be pessimistic, and there is no realistic scenario in which a
breakthrough would be reached," said Karim Bitar, analyst at the Paris-based Institute of
International and Strategic Relations. AFP January 31, 2016 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-
01-31/syria-peace-talks-geneva-in-peril-before-start/7128346

 Syrian peace talks United only by hatred

Besides the start of the talks, it will be a miracle if any of those other milestones are met. Mr de
Mistura admits that the participants are united only by mutual loathing. At the beginning of what
he sees as a six-month process the groups will be kept in separate rooms, while he shuttles
between them in a search for something they can agree on. Jan 30th 2016
http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21689582-just-getting-right-people-
negotiating-table-proving-fraught-united

 Syrian Peace Talks Face High Hurdles as Conflict Rages Unabated

Clouded by a triple bombing outside Damascus that killed at least 45 people on Sunday, and was
claimed by Islamic State, the negotiations are kicking off with opposing sides dug deeply into
long-held positions. Henry Meyer January 31, 2016
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-31/syrian-peace-talks-face-high-hurdles-as-
conflict-rages-unabated

 Rand Paul knows how to make our country safer

The Syrian conflict is about a pipeline dispute to bring natural gas to Europe. Turkey and Saudi
Arabia conspired to overthrow the Syrian government with the help of American weapons and
the use of jihadists. David D. DeVoy 5 hours ago http://www.citizen.com/news/2016-02-
01/Opinion/Rand_Paul_knows_how_to_make_our_country_safer.html

 China’s new era of diplomacy: engaging in Syria

At the same time, claims by Israel’s intelligence service DEBKAfile that China has become
military involved alongside Russia are equally incredible. It is more likely that Beijing has
dispatched military observers. by Moritz Rudolf January 31, 2016
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2016/01/31/commentary/world-commentary/chinas-new-
era-of-diplomacy-engaging-in-syria

 Betraying Syria

US President Barack Obama has in reality built on the Russian military involvement. The US-
Russian-led international Syria meetings in Vienna on October 30 and November 14 revealed
Washington’s true intentions. After the meeting adopted a far-reaching road map that ends in
2017. By Marwan Bishara February 01, 2016 http://www.thenews.com.pk/print/95193-
Betraying-Syria
  Geneva talks show that the U.S. has given up on Syria

What does the future hold for Syria? For the past five years, this question has been bitterly
fought over. And it continues to be fought over. But now it is no longer a case of what will
happen, so much as when will it happen? Dr. Azeem Ibrahim Monday, 1 February 2016
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2016/02/01/Geneva-talks-show-that-the-
U-S-has-given-up-on-Syria.html

 How U.S. Concessions Threaten the Syria Peace Talks Before They Start

U.S. policy positions have steadily retreated. “Assad must go” has been replaced by “Assad can
stay through a transitional period.” Secretary of State John Kerry is reportedly considering
allowing Mr. Assad to stand for re-election at the end of such a period. These concessions would
also move the U.S. toward the positions of Russia and Iran. Michael Singh Jan 28, 2016
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2016/01/28/how-u-s-concessions-threaten-the-syria-peace-talks-
before-they-start/

 Obama is fighting ISIS on the installment plan

Looks like President Obama has finally woken up to the fact that ISIS is no junior-varsity team:
He’s decided to start studying the Pentagon’s playbook. Studying, not necessarily
implementing.By Post Editorial Board January 31, 2016 http://nypost.com/2016/01/31/obama-is-
fighting-isis-on-the-installment-plan/

 One area Barack Obama hasn’t screwed up

That’s what Obama has achieved. By dithering his way through the Syria crisis, he destroyed any
chance that we might support a moderate opposition. We’ve been left, as the cliché goes, with no
good options. So he’s set the agenda. By Ted Bromund January 31, 2016
http://www.newsday.com/opinion/one-area-barack-obama-hasn-t-screwed-up-1.11408825

 Turkey’s Syrian Calculation: Gambling on an Invasion?

Direct military intervention in Syria would be risky, but Mr Challiand believes that Turkey “is
capable of doing this militarily and will not be deterred by Russia”. Putin probably has a clear
idea of the limitations on Russia’s military engagement in Syria. Patrick Cockburn February 1,
2016 http://www.counterpunch.org/2016/02/01/turkeys-syrian-calculation-gambling-on-an-
invasion/

 Raising the Stakes: 'Unpredictable' Erdogan May Start Intervention in Syria

No one can predict how far Turkey may go in exercising its influence on the developments in
Syria, especially now, at a time when the Syrian crisis is nearing its turning point. 31.01.2016
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160131/1034002367/erdogan-syria-invasion.html
  A Turkish-Friendly Zone Inside Syria

IS controls a nearly 60-mile-wide and 20-to-30-mile-deep territory known as the Azaz-Jarabulus

(corresponding to Kilis-Cerablus, in Turkey) belt. But the question remains as to how effectively
Turkey can seal this long border with IS. Ed Stafford and Soner Cagaptay January 29, 2016
http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/a-turkish-friendly-zone-inside-syria

 In Confidential Memo, U.N. Says It Can’t Enforce a Syrian Peace Deal

In a confidential strategy paper exclusively obtained by Foreign Policy, the office of the United
Nations’ top envoy to Syria warns that the U.N. would be unable to monitor or enforce any peace
deal that might emerge from landmark political talks underway in Geneva. By Colum Lynch
January 29, 2016 https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/01/29/in-confidential-memo-u-n-
acknowledges-it-cant-enforce-a-syrian-peace-deal/

 The United States Should Admit It No Longer Has a Middle East Policy

If the current — and future — U.S. administration wants to battle the Islamic State, save Syria,
and keep ties with Israel, it’s got to ditch the Cold War playbook. By Stephen M. Walt January
29, 2016 https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/01/29/the-u-s-should-admit-it-has-no-middle-east-
policy-obama-cold-war-israel-syria/

 Post Obama Foreign Policy: Picking Up the Pieces

The next president of the United States will face a world more chaotic and unstable than at any
time since the end of the Second World War. A world in which there are no easy solutions and
little consensus on how best to move forward. Joseph V. Micallef 01/31/2016
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joseph-v-micallef/post-obama-foreign-policy_b_9126820.html

 Don’t Shoot the Messenger, Israel

I pointed out a simple truth: History proves that people will always resist occupation. Some
sought to shoot the messenger — twisting my words into a misguided justification for violence.
By BAN KI-MOONJAN. 31, 2016 http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/01/opinion/dont-shoot-the-
messenger-israel.html

 There are big changes underway in Saudi Arabia

Unlike the older, U.S.-educated generation, Mohammed went to a Saudi university, has had little
exposure to Western culture, and has "a reputation for arrogance and ruthlessness," says Bruce
Riedel of the Brookings Institution. The Week Staff January 31, 2016
http://theweek.com/articles/601880/there-are-big-changes-underway-saudi-arabia
  Wahhabism, ISIS, and the Saudi Connection

In order to conceptualize the mentality of ISIS and its motivation, look no further than inside the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to examine how its puritanical Wahhabi doctrine has enabled the
ideology of ISIS. Lincoln Clapper January 31, 2016
http://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/wahhabism-isis-and-the-saudi-connection/

 A consensus against ISIS appears quite impossible

They perceive that if Syria is stabilised, Daesh could be handled; surprising assumption indeed,
almost akin to a head in the sand approach, or a cart before the horse syndrome. Should Daesh be
destroyed/neutralised first or should Syria be tackled; or can both be handled simultaneously. Lt
Gen Syed Ata Hasnain Feb 01, 2016 http://www.ibnlive.com/blogs/world/lt-gen-syed-ata-
hasnain/a-consensus-against-isis-appears-quite-impossible-14405-1197481.html

 THINK TANK | 2016: Into the Storm

A Perfect Storm? The intensification of the war in Syria in late 2015, the associated increase in
Islamic State-linked attacks on western and Russian targets, the increasing western appetite for
renewed intervention in Libya pose major threats to global security. By Paul Rogers Oxford
Research Group February 01, 2016 http://www.indrastra.com/2016/02/ThinkTank-2016-Into-
Storm-by-Paul-Rogers-002-02-2016-0004.html

 Talking Turkey: The Putin complex

Ironically, Syria might be the magic wand that takes the West from the brink of a new
confrontation with Moscow. The Russian intervention has already strengthened the hands of
President Bashar al-Assad at the bargaining table. It is time to make peace. S NIHAL SINGH
Feb 1, 2016 http://deccanchronicle.com/opinion/columnists/010216/talking-turkey-the-putin-
complex.html

 4 Sukhoi Su-35S fighters strengthen Russian aviation group in Syria

"Several days ago the Su-35S jets departed from Astrakhan, flew over the Caspian Sea, Iran and
Iraq and arrived in the Hmeimim airbase," the report said. Interfax February 1, 2016
http://rbth.com/defence/2016/02/01/4-sukhoi-su-35s-fighters-strengthen-russian-aviation-group-
in-syria_563941

 War in Syria: Russia’s ‘rustbucket’ military delivers a hi-tech shock to West and
Israel

The deployment of Russian electronic warfare equipment in Ukraine and Syria, such as the
Krasukha-4 which can jam Awacs and satellite radar systems, has been another sobering
experience for Nato. by Kim Sengupta Saturday 30 January 2016
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/war-in-syria-russia-s-rustbucket-military-
delivers-a-hi-tech-shock-to-west-and-israel-a6842711.html