Turkey Says It Warned France Twice About Paris Attacker
The country says it told France to look out for the 29-year-old in December 2014 and June 2015.


Turkish authorities had warned France twice about the threat posed by one of the Paris terrorist attackers, a Turkish official said Monday. Ismaël Omar Mostefaï, a 29-year-old French citizen, was identified Sunday as one of the attackers at the Bataclan concert hall, where at least 89 were killed on Friday. A Turkish official told The Huffington Post that the country turned up Mostefaï's name when investigating four other terror suspects in 2014. "During the official investigation, the Turkish authorities identified a fifth individual, Omar Ismail Mostefai, and notified their French counterparts twice -- in December 2014 and June 2015," the official said. Turkey shared information on Mostefaï with France, but didn't hear anything back -- until after Friday's events.The Islamic State has taken credit for the attacks, which rocked the city and left at least 129 people dead. France is still in a state of emergency, and police raids for potential suspects on Sunday night netted 23 people."During the official investigation, Turkish authorities identified a fifth individual, Ismaël Omar Mostefaï, and notified their French counterparts twice," said the official."We have, however, not heard back from France on the matter. It was only after the Paris attacks that the Turkish authorities received an information request about Ismaël Omar Mostefaï from France," he added. It's claimed that Turkish officials knew he'd entered Turkey in 2013 and that there was "no record of him leaving the country."
This, it's suggested, means he may have illegally crossed the border for Syria. It's not known how he re-entered France.The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, reportedly said that he wasn't looking to embarrass France with the revelations."This is not a time to play the blame game, but we are compelled to share the above information to shed light on Omar Ismail Mostefai's travel history," he said. "The case of Omar Ismail Mostefai clearly establishes that intelligence sharing and effective communication are crucial to counter-terrorism efforts. The Turkish government expects closer cooperation from its allies in the future," he added. Mostefaï had been described by multiple media outlets in France as a petty criminal, of North African descent, who grew up in the Parisian suburb of Courcouronnes.

In this short article the author writes about the Turkish Authorities warning France twice about the terrorist attacks that happened on Friday. In addition, the Turkish authorities stated the country identified Ismael Omar Mostefai, one of the attackers on Friday and notified the French on December 2014 and June 2015. Despite, the Turk's warning the French never responded resulting a disaster in Paris. Through this article I haven;t noticed a lot of biases, however, i noticed how the author was referring to the Turkish official's statements to provide an evidence not to stand on a side.  Personally, I am a bit frustrated. I believe this tragedy could of been prevented and that warnings that might threaten one nation shouldn't be  taken likely. In addition, I hope and pray for the people of France and hope in the future that countries would ensure the security of their people with more caution.   

Moran,Lee. "Turkey Says It Warned France Twice About Paris Attacker." 16 Nov. 2015. Huffington Post. 16 Nov. 2015. < http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/turkey-warned-france-twice_5649c5ebe4b060377349be9c>

Posted: 11/16/2015 07:25 AM EST | Edited: 11 minutes ago

Egypt army destroys dozens of Gaza tunnels


Egypt has announced that its army had destroyed 31 tunnels connecting the besieged Gaza Strip and Egypt last month, an army spokesman has said.
In October, Egyptian forces "discovered and successfully destroyed 31 tunnels on the border line of Rafah city", army spokesman Brigadier-General Mohamed Samir said in a statement on Sunday, referring to a city that straddles the Egypt-Gaza border. The Egyptian army's announcement came the same day as a meeting between Sisi and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, a political rival of Hamas, in Cairo. President Abdel Fatah Sisi said that Egypt's measures in the Gaza border area were intended to "secure the borders" and that the Rafah crossing could operate "normally" if the PA were to take control of it. Home to some 1.8 million Palestinians, Gaza has suffered a plummeting humanitarian situation due to an airtight blockade.Enforced by Israel and the Egypt, the blockade has been place since the Hamas political organisation took control of the Strip in 2007. For Palestinians in the besieged coastal enclave, smuggling tunnels provide access to food, medicine, building supplies and other necessities. Palestinians in Gaza are in desperate need of humanitarian and building supplies, as much of the area still lay in ruins after Israel's 51-day war in the Strip last summer. That war killed more than 2,200 Palestinians and left an estimated 96,000 destroyed or damaged, according to United Nations' estimates. Since Sisi came to power in Egypt after the 2013 ouster of democratically-elected Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt has implemented increasingly harsh measures on the Gaza border. Harm and suffering' Noting that Hamas is an affiliate of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mukhaimer Abu Saada, a political analyst and professor at Gaza's al-Azhar University, said that Egypt "tried to demonise and outlaw the Muslim Brotherhood" and "weaken Hamas". "The Egyptian policy is to corner Hamas and squeeze it for concessions," he told Al Jazeera. "This policy won't succeed; Israel has tried for more than eight years and it has failed." Abu Saada said that the crackdown on Hamas "only hurts the 1.8 million-person civilian population in Gaza at the end of the day" by causing "immense harm and suffering". A recent report published by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTD) found that 72 percent of Gaza families are still struggling with food insecurity, while unemployment is at a record high of 44 percent. Egyptian authorities regularly close Rafah, the crossing between Gaza and Egypt, and it has rarely been opened for normal crossing since Israel's war in Gaza concluded in late August 2014.

Last month 31 tunnels connecting Gaza and Egypt has been destroyed by the Egyptian military. the purpose of destroying these tunnels was to secure Egyptian borders. In addition to that statement, the Blockade that has been put on Gaza by the Israelis and Egyptians have caused serious humanitarian issues. furthermore the article also states the situation of Egypt after the election of  Abdel Fatah Sisi and how the Egypt has increased the harsh blockade on the Gaza border and how the tunnel system supplied Gaza with food and medical supplies. In summary, the Situation for Gaza has just been worsened since their way of receive supplies have been cut by the Egyptians. Although, the Egyptians state that these actions are to corner the Hamas and to control their border their actions are resulting in people short in supply. when it comes to my opinion I believe Egypt destroying these tunnels will make matters worst for Gaza and is causing huge humanitarian problems. I also believe this issue would attract readers who share concerns on Gaza. 

Stickland, Patrick. 09 Nov 2015. Egypt army destroys dozens of Gaza tunnels. 10 Nov. 2015 <http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/11/egypt-army-destroys-dozens-gaza-tunnels-151109125035215.html>

Wave Of Violence Rages On In Jerusalem And West Bank
Friday's incidents were the latest in a series of Palestinian attacks and were accompanied by widespread unrest.
Posted: 10/30/2015 09:30 AM EDT | Edited: 10/30/2015 02:07 PM EDT


RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — A Palestinian stabbed and wounded an American man at a station of Jerusalem's light rail on Friday before he was shot dead by police, security guards and civilians, police said. An Israeli man was wounded in In recent days, Hebron has become a flashpoint of Israeli-Palestinian violence, with near-daily deadly confrontations at Israeli checkpoints that guard ultra-nationalist Jewish settlers in the center of the city. In these incidents, Palestinians have been shot dead after the military said they stabbed or tried to stab soldiers. Hebron has been divided since the late 1990s, as part of what was meant to be an interim agreement ahead of a final peace deal that never materialized. Israel controls the city center, where 850 Jewish settlers live, while the remaining areas of the city are under Palestinian self-rule. The most restricted area, near settler enclaves, is home to about 10,000 Palestinians, said Palestinian community organizer Issa Amro. He said Palestinians were informed by troops at checkpoints on Friday that Palestinian non-residents would not be able to enter these areas, Amro said. The Israeli military did not provide details. In a statement, it only said that in light of recent stabbing attacks in the area, "several precautionary measures were taken to contain potential attacks in the future and maintain the well-being and safety of Israelis." The Jerusalem stabbing took place at a station of the city's light rail — a frequent target of assailants in recent weeks. Police spokeswoman Luba Samri said a Palestinian man stabbed a man, a U.S. citizen, waiting at the station, seriously injuring him.the cross-fire. In the West Bank, two Palestinians carrying knives ran toward an Israeli checkpoint, drawing fire from troops who killed one and critically wounded the other, according to police and a Palestinian medic. Friday's incidents were the latest in a series of Palestinian attacks that began in mid-September and were accompanied by widespread unrest, including clashes between Palestinian stone-throwers and Israeli troops. There were no further details on the identity of the American. In all, 11 Israelis were killed in Palestinian attacks and 66 Palestinians died by Israeli fire in the past six weeks. Forty of the Palestinians killed were said by Israel to have been involved in attacks or attempted attacks. Nineteen Palestinians were wounded by Israeli fire in West Bank clashes Friday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. Israel has blamed Palestinian attacks on what it says is anti-Israel incitement by Palestinian political and religious leaders. Palestinians say the violence is largely driven by the hopelessness many Palestinians feel after nearly half a century of Israeli military rule, with no end in sight. Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Foreign Minister Riad Malki and senior Abbas aide Saeb Erekat were to meet Friday with the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court at the court's headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, to hand over documentation on the recent violence, Erekat's office said. The Palestinians are to submit 52 pages detailing what Erekat's office described as extra-judicial executions of Palestinians by Israeli troops, as well as home demolitions and other forms of collective punishment. The documents will be accompanied by video footage of some of the incidents, the statement said. Rights groups have accused Israeli troops of using excessive force in some of the cases, a charge Israel's military has denied. In the West Bank city of Hebron, Israeli forces imposed new restrictions on Palestinians in the Israeli-controlled center of Hebron, residents said. The military barred Palestinians between the ages of 15 and 25 from entering a major Hebron shrine that is revered by both Muslims and Jews, said senior Muslim cleric Munther Abu Felat. He said age restrictions were enforced only partially. As the assailant tried to stab another person, police, transport security guards and a civilian opened fire, seriously wounding him and hitting an Israeli civilian in the leg, she said. The Palestinian later died in hospital. It's not the first time Americans have been hurt in recent Palestinian stabbing attacks. Richard Lakin, an American educator and peace activist who worked for coexistence in Israel, died this week from wounds sustained in a Palestinian attack on a Jerusalem bus earlier this month. Earlier on Friday in the West Bank, two Palestinians drove up to a checkpoint on a motorcycle, dismounted and then charged an officer from the paramilitary border police, Samri said. Another officer opened fire on the pair, killing one attacker and wounding the other, Samri said. Palestinian medics identified the Palestinian killed by troops as 18-year-old Mahmoud Sabaaneh from a town in the northern West Bank. They said the wounded man was in critical condition. Video footage emerged later Friday showing a military jeep hitting a Palestinian and knocking him to the ground during clashes near Ramallah. The footage showed soldiers pushing back Palestinian medics trying to reach the Palestinian struck by the jeep. Samri said border police in a jeep saw a Palestinian run toward an officer with a sharp object as the officer administered first aid to a Palestinian who was previously shot as he threw a firebomb. She said the driver hit him with the jeep to prevent the attack. Both Palestinians were moderately injured, she said. Samri said border police in a jeep saw a Palestinian run toward an officer with a sharp object as the officer administered first aid to a Palestinian who was previously shot as he threw a firebomb. She said the driver hit him with the jeep to prevent the attack. Both Palestinians were moderately injured, she said.

citation 

"Wave Of Violence Rages On In Jerusalem And West Bank." 30 Oct. 2015. Huffingtonpost. 2 Nov. 2015. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/palestinians-israel-knife-attack-jerusalem-west-bank_56336bb0e4b063179911eeef?utm_hp_ref=world> 

Recently in Jerusalem an American man was stabbed at a light rail station. This article is about the recent incident that caused an Americans life and the overview of the stabbings and attacks that are going on in Israel and the west bank. Over the past few weeks Hebron has been the focal-point of Israeli-Palestinian violence, with near-daily death tolls. Due to the daily killing both sides, the Israelis and the Palestine are blaming each other. The Palestinian Health Ministry said Israel has blamed the situation towards Palestinians on what is said to be an anti-Israel incitement by Palestinian political and religious leaders. While Palestinians believe the violence is largely due to hopelessness many Palestinians feel after nearly half a century of Israeli military rule. In addition to the critical attacks in Israel Foreign Minister Riad Malki and senior Abbas aide Saeb Erekat are going to meet this Friday with the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court at the court's headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands. Overall, the situation is Israel causing frantic over the people in Israel and Palestine. In my personal opinion I believe these attacks are due to cultural and historical grudges both the Palestinians and Israelis have for each other. I also believe this article gives somewhat a of a good summary of what is going on in Israel. I also believe this article released more statements from the Palestinian side rather that the Israeli side which shows some biased opinion. In summary I hope the stabbings and attacks in Israel come to an ease. I also believe this article would concern not only the Israelis but also the people who share a deep concern in the region.

Poland's president warns of refugees bringing epidemics

Andrzej Duda's call for government to take steps to prevent outbreak of disease prompts comparisons to Nazi rhetoric.




Poland's conservative President Andrzej Duda has said the government should take steps to protect its citizens from refugees bringing in "possible epidemics". Duda told the TVN24 channel on Sunday that the government should prioritise the physical and financial security of Poles, as well as their health.
Duda said if the government was ready to accept refugees it should take measures "to ensure that Poles are well protected against epidemiological risks". The comments by the president, whose role is largely ceremonial, echo those of Jaroslaw Kaczynski, leader of the populist Law and Justice party of which Duda is a member. The party is widely tipped to win legislative elections due on October 25.
'Dysentery in Vienna' Kaczynski had spoken of "cholera in the Greek islands" and "dysentery in Vienna" and accused refugees of "bringing in all kinds of parasites which are not dangerous in their own countries, but which could prove dangerous for the local populations" in Europe.
Speaking outside a refugee centre, Kaczynski had also asked the centrist government of Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz to clearly spell out how it planned to "protect" Polish citizens.
The comments were widely criticised by both centrist leaders and the media, which likened them to hate speech and said they were reminiscent of Nazi propaganda.The Nazis had accused Jews of carrying typhus. Contrary to Duda and Kaczynski's warnings, the World Health Organization (WHO) says there is no association between migration and infectious diseases. "In spite of the common perception of an association between migration and the importation of infectious diseases, there is no systematic association," a September report by the WHO said. "These diseases have not, however, been eliminated and still exist in the European region, independently of migration."
"The risk for importation of exotic and rare infectious agents into Europe, such as Ebola, Marburg and Lassa viruses or Middle East respiratory syndrome [MERS], is extremely low."
"Experience has shown that when importation occurs, it involves regular travellers, tourists, or healthcare workers, rather than refugees or migrants." Poland had long been reluctant to take in refugees but finally agreed to accept about 5,000 of the 120,000 people to be shared between the 28-member EU - up from an initial 2,000. Other Eastern European states have also been reluctant to take refugees, citing fears of disease and terrorism. In September, Czech President Milos Zeman warned that refugees could possibly bring infectious diseases and be involved in terrorism.

Clearly the migrants issue in Europe hasn't gone silent. In this article discusses the concerns of Poland's president Andrzej Duda. The main concerns of Duda is the possible diseases or epidemic that the migrants from Syria might bring to Poland. In addition to Duda's concerns his political party also shares the same concerns, blaming the cholera in Greece, and the dysentery in Vienna. Overall, Poland fears the migrants rushing in Europe will harm their country. Furthermore, the Duda believes in Poland should focus more on the financial and economic security of Poles rather than the migrant issue. When it comes to my personal opinion I believe the poles have a reasonable reasons and they should focus on their personal problems however, I do concerns towards this migrant crisis and hope there is a solution in the coming year. Through this article I noticed there isn't much biased opinion but the writers tended to focus more on the statements. I also believe this article would be read by people who are well aware of this issue and the people share the same concerns of Poland.

Arab Assailant Opens Fire On Bus Station, Kills Israeli Soldier
By TIA GOLDENBERG
Posted: 10/18/2015 04:59 PM EDT | Edited: 10/18/2015 05:22 PM EDT

JERUSALEM (AP) — An Arab attacker armed with a gun and a knife opened fire in a southern Israel bus station on Sunday, police said, killing an Israeli soldier and wounding 10 people in one of the boldest attacks yet in a month long wave of violence.The attack came as Israel further tightened security around the country, highlighted by the construction of a barrier separating Jewish and Arab neighborhoods in east Jerusalem. In a bid to halt the fighting, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said he would meet the Israeli and Palestinian leaders in the coming days.Israel has deployed thousands of police, backed up by troops, to maintain order following a spate of attacks, mostly stabbings, by Palestinian assailants. Those measures have so far failed to stop the violence. In Sunday night's attack, police said the Arab assailant entered the central bus station in the southern city of Beersheba and began shooting and stabbing people. They said an Israeli soldier was killed, five police were lightly wounded and five civilians were wounded to varying degrees. Yoram Halevy, a police commander in southern Israel, told reporters that in addition to the knife and gun he entered with, the attacker also snatched a weapon from the soldier he killed. The attacker, whose identity was not immediately known, was shot and killed. A foreigner was shot by police during the attack after they apparently mistook him for an assailant. Halevy said security forces responding to the attack entered the bus station from another area and saw a "foreign national," shooting and wounding him. Israeli media said the foreigner was an Eritrean national living in Israel. Israeli media showed footage of a blood-streaked floor and rows of ambulances outside the bus station. Security camera footage from the bus station aired on Israeli TV showed what appeared to be a civilian shooting the attacker as soldiers and civilians crouched for cover nearby. The attack was one of the most serious incidents amid near-daily bouts of violence that has hit Israel and the Palestinian territories over the past month. After the attack, a crowd of Israelis gathered outside the bus station and chanted "death to Arabs." The unrest erupted in Jerusalem a month ago over tensions surrounding a Jerusalem holy site sacred to Jews and Muslims. It soon spread to Arab neighborhoods of east Jerusalem and then to the West Bank, Gaza and Israel.  

The boldest attack in a month long wave of violence in Israel was witnessed in a bus station on Sunday. It was known that the attacker killed an Israeli soldier and wounded 10 other people. Like the other stabbings and killings that has been going on in Israel for the past few weeks the attacker on Sunday was identified as an Arab. As a result of this tragedy and other incidences that has been occurring in Israel, the Israeli Government is tightening security around the country by separating Jewish and Arab neighborhoods in east Jerusalem. In addition, to prevent these attacks , U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is willing to meet the Israeli and Palestinian leaders in the coming days. In my personal opinion the main source of these attacks are due to long cultural differences and bitterness between the Israelis and Palestinians. I also believe the meeting of secretary of state John Kerry and Israeli and Palestinian leaders would do a little effect on these attacks and think beefing up security wouldn't solve this problem. Overall, I believe this reporter seem to right his article in concern and worry but also writes in a unbiased way. I also believe this article would stimulate concerns towards Israelis but also people who have connections in the middle east.

citation 

Goldberg, Tia. "Berggruen Institute." 18 Oct. 2015. Huffington Post. 20 Oct. 2015. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/arab-assailant-opens-fire-on-bus-station-kills-israeli-soldier_5624052ee4b02f6a900cc223?ir=WorldPost&section=world>

Isis blows up Arch of Triumph in 2,000-year-old city of Palmyra

Monument described as ‘jewel in the collection’ of Unesco-listed Syrian city is destroyed and follows the razing of other statues and temples

Islamic State militants have destroyed the Arch of Triumph in the ancient city of Palmyra, a monument that dates back to the Roman empire, Syria’s chief of antiquities told the Guardian. Maamoun Abdulkarim said sources in the city, which was conquered by Isis after a week-long siege in May, had informed him the arch was destroyed on Sunday in the latest act of vandalism against Syria’s cultural heritage perpetrated by Isis.“It’s a crime in every sense of the word,” he said in a telephone interview from Damascus. “All we can do is share the sadness.” The arch was built in commemorbaration of a visit by the emperor and his entourage when Palmyra was a Roman colony. Isis’s puritanical interpretation of Islam deems the preservation of ancient artefacts and monuments to be a form of idolatry.Earlier this summer, the group destroyed the majestic Temple of Bel, once the centre of religious life in ancient Palmyra, and the historic Temple of Baalshamin. The militants also beheaded Khaled al-Assaad, the elderly head of Palmyra’s antiquities, after he refused to pass on the location of hidden artefacts.Abdulkarim, who described the militants as “barbarians”, said the arch carried no religious significance and its destruction appeared to be fuelled entirely by spite. He said the terror group had also planted explosives on several other buildings in the ancient city, part of a process of systematically destroying the ruins. He said the majority of Palmyra’s monuments could be destroyed if the international community and forces on the ground in Syria did not act. “Liberating Palmyra is an immediate necessity,” Abdulkarim said. “The international community must find a solution to liberate it.” Isis has destroyed numerous cultural artefacts and monuments of historic significance in its rampage across Iraq and Syria. In addition to the destruction in Palmyra, it has blown up Christian and Shia shrines and houses of worship in both countries. It also burned and destroyed centuries-old Assyrian and Akkadian artefacts in Nineveh, releasing high-production-value imagery and videography of its atrocities. Experts say the group revels in the destruction as it highlights its ability to operate with impunity and it shows the powerlessness of the international community to put a halt to its actions. Isis also profits from illicitly selling artefacts it loots from ancient sites.

the content of this article talks about the matter of ISIS destroying historical artifacts and structures. The recent abuse of the Arch of Triumph in the ancient city of Palmyra has left Syria's chief of antiquities furious. So far the Isis has been vandalizing and ransacking numerous cultural artifacts and monuments of historic significance in its rampage across Iraq and Syria. this articles also gives additional information of the Arch Isis abolished and how it was built for the Roman emperor and his entourage. In my personal opinion, I believe the abolishing historical artifacts are absurd and unnecessary. I believe the purpose of history is for us relearn from the past and improve the future and what Isis is doing is vandalizing our opportunity due to their interpretation. In addition, I believe this article expresses some sort of irritation and concern. I also believe would attract readers who share concerns over the middle east and I hope reader would feel some sort of irritation towards what Isis has done. In summary the destroying of ancient artifacts in Palmyra has shocked many people. Furthermore, I also have a strong opinion towards vandalizing ancient sculptures and structures and I hope and pray for a day when these issue can be solved.   

citation:
Shaheen, Kareem. "The Guardian."  5 Oct. 2016 The Guardian Newspaper.  10 Oct. 2015
<http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/05/isis-blows-up-another-monument-in-2000-year-old-city-of-palmyra >

This political cartoon address towards the Volkswagen emissions scandal. In summary the German car giants, Volkswagen has admitted that they have cheated emission tests in the U.S. According to sources and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), it is known that 11 million Volkswagen brands such as Beetles, Jettas, Golfs and many others have been claimed to be "defeat devices" worldwide. In my personal opinion, I believe the artist is showing some irony implying towards Volkswagen's emission problem and one of their car models the "Volkswagen Beetle," I also get the understanding that people would view this art work and think how deceiving Volkswagen is and how their reputation of building great cars turned into a big lie. Another opinion I believe people would think of would be that this company is no longer reliable since they sold 11 million machines that destroy the ozone layer. when it comes to the persuasiveness of this cartoon I believe to could do better to persuade people. I like the simplicity of the cartoon but I personally feel like its a bit dull and it could do more work on analogy and exaggeration.

citation

Breen, Volkswagen Emission scandal. San Diego union tribune creators comic 25 September 2015
<http://www.worldmag.com/editorialcartoons/>

Israel PM visits Russia over army buildup in Syria

Netanyahu concerned Russian weapons sent to Syrian government forces could end up in Hezbollah's possession.

21 Sep 2015 14:25 GMT | Politics, War & Conflict, Middle East, Europe, Israel

Putin dismissed Netanyahu's claims that Syria is trying to open a "second front" against Israel on Monday [EPA]Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to express concerns about an ongoing expansion of the Russian military's presence in Syria.Accompanied by military and intelligence chiefs, Netanyahu told the Russian leader that Israel is determined to stop the delivery of arms to Hezbollah, the Lebanese political organisation fighting along Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces in Syria.Speaking on Russian television, Putin dismissed Netanyahu's claim that Syria and Iran are attempting to open a "second front" against Israel."We know and understand that the Syrian army and Syria in general is in such a state that it isn't up to opening a second front -- it is trying to maintain its own statehood," the Russian president said.Russia has been a staunch backer of the Syrian government throughout the more than four-year conflict with rebel groups that has claimed more than 250,000 lives.Russian officials have claimed that providing Syria with surface-to-air missiles and combat aircraft, as well as building up a government-controlled military base near Latakia, is for the purpose of fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group.

Related: US to start military talks with Russia over Syria

"It was very important to come here in order to clarify our position and to do everything to avoid any misunderstandings between our forces," Netanyahu said during the meeting. Reporting from Moscow, Al Jazeera's Peter Greste said that Israel had made it clear "that they don't see Russia as a threat" in Syria. US Secretary of State John Kerry has also said that the Obama administration is "disturbed" by the growing Russian military presence in Syria. The Israeli-Russian talks come at a time when Moscow is pressing the US to expand its ongoing military campaign against ISIL and other hardline rebel groups in Syria by cooperating with Assad.

Rebels speak out
Syrian rebel groups have denounced Russian involvement in the conflict. "The information we have is that Russia has taken on the task of protecting the coast and it is leading the battles we are now fighting near Joreen," Abu Anas al-Lathkani, a commander in the Nusra Front, told Reuters.
One rebel group, Jaish al-Islam, has claimed to launch a missile attack on a Latakia-area airbase being used by Russian soldiers. Abu Ghaith al-Shami, a spokesperson for the Alwiyat Seif al-Sham group, any potential increase in Russian involvement "represents a continuation of the struggle".

"Russia has no aim for a political solution," al-Shami told Reuters. "It only wants the preservation of the Syrian regime.

"Al Jazeera." 21 Sept. 2015. Al Jazeera 21 Sept. 2015. <http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/09/israel-pm-visits-russia-army-buildup-syria-150921124614621.html>

In this article tells an overview of the Syrian-Russian military involvement but it also tells the reader about the Israeli Prime minister visiting Russian President, Putin. On Monday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu went to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. There, the Prime minister expressed concerns and questions the ongoing of Russian military expansion in Syria. The meeting between Netanyahu and Putin also held discussions about the  possibilities of Iran and Syria attempting to open a "second front" against Israel. In respond Russia justifies their actions by saying their military forces are purposed against IS and that Iran and Syria are not attempting a second front. Overall the U.S and Israel are quiet edgy towards Russian military expansion in Syria. Personally, I hope Russia's actions won't start a huge conflict in the middle east, because the world doesn’t need another problem over that area. I also hope Russia's intentions are towards the fight against IS like they claimed. In summary this article sort of concern about this situation in Syria. Since, Al Jazeera is Arab news company I also felt like the article express a little concern and also talks about how the Obama administrations express. In addition, to that statement I believe this article it would attract readers who are aware of Russia's activity and readers who hope there will be no repercussions in the Arab world. 

Russia deploys tanks to Syrian airbase amid tension with US
Significant Middle East military foothold supplied using air space over Iran and Iraq


Russia has positioned tanks at a Syrian airfield where it has been steadily building up defenses, two US officials told Reuters on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter. One of the officials said seven Russian T-90 tanks were seen at the airfield near Latakia, a stronghold of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. The two US officials said Russia had also positioned artillery there. Russia is using an air corridor over Iraq and Iran to fly military equipment and personnel to the new airbase in Syria, openly defying US efforts to block the shipments and significantly increasing tensions with Washington. US officials disclosed on Sunday that at least seven giant Russian Condor transport planes had taken off from a base in southern Russia during the past week to ferry equipment to Syria, all passing through Iranian and Iraqi airspace. Their destination was an airfield south of Latakia, which could become the most significant new Russian military foothold in the Middle East in decades, US officials said. The Obama administration initially hoped it had hampered the Russian effort to move military equipment and personnel into Syria when Bulgaria, a Nato member, announced it would close its airspace to the flights. But Russia quickly began channeling its flights over Iraq and Iran, which Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, said on Sunday would continue despite objections from Washington. “There were military supplies, they are ongoing, and they will continue,” Mr Lavrov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. “They are inevitably accompanied by Russian specialists, who help to adjust the equipment, to train Syrian personnel how to use this weaponry.” Friction point Moscow’s military buildup in Syria, where the Kremlin has been supporting Mr Assad in a 4½-year civil war, adds a new friction point in its relations with the US. The actions also lay bare another major policy challenge for the US: how to encourage Iraqi prime minister Haider al-Abadi, who came to power with the blessing of the US, to block the Russian flights.According to US intelligence, about 200 Russian marines and six Russian howitzers now guard the airbase south of Latakia. More prefabricated buildings have been delivered, increasing the housing capacity to 1,500 people. Dozens of Russian vehicles have been observed at the base.
US intelligence has not yet detected Russian fighter jets. However, some US officials said Russian SU-25 and MiG-31 attack planes might arrive in the next phase of the buildup. The Russian move positions it to have major influence in Syria’s future and draws attention away from Russia’s intervention in Ukraine. – (Reuters/New York Times)


citation
"Irishtimes." 14 Sep. 2015. Irish Times 14 Sep. 2015. <http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/middle-east/russia-deploys-tanks-to-syrian-airbase-amid-tension-with-us-1.2351247>
This article provides the recent events of Russian military supplies to Syria and the efforts of the U.S trying to hamper Russia's progress. Recently, Russia is using Iraqi and Iranian airspace to transport their military towards Syria. Although, America has stop Russia using Bulgarian Airspace to increase their military, Russia has been a steady increase of military personal in Syria by using a different air path. So far the Russia has sent seven Condor transport planes during the past week to Syria, all passing through Iranian and Iraqi airspace. As a result, the transport of military equipment and personnel into Syria has stirred up tensions between the U.S. and Russia. At the end of this article there is a few paragraphs that explains how Russia's support of Assad, Syria's president, has added to U.S concern since the U.S is against Assad and the friction points of the situation. After reading this article I personally felt that Russia's recent behavior may result in serious consequences due to the U.S' efforts to stop them. I also believe this article shows a lot of concern and I agree to most of it. I also felt like the this news website was more into the western side/ U.S side since it writes more bias towards the U.S. In addition to my agreement with his article, the article also states that the build-up in Syria has drawn Russia away from Ukraine. Overall I believe this article would attract people who are concerned with American and Russian tension. Also after reading this article I hope there isn’t another Cuban missile crisis is in order and hope that these leaders would be more rational.

Hi, my name is John Park and I am a senior at Rift Valley Academy. When it comes to nationality it's a bit complicated for me. I am a British born Korean kid who lived in 8 different countries, including England, America, Korea, Philiphines, Egypt, North Sudan, South Sudan, and Kenya. when it comes to food I like both American and Korean food. so, if people ask me what nationality Iam I just say I'm a citizen of the world. When it comes to my views I am a moderate, but as a christian I sometimes fall into the conservative side but that doesn't mean I don't jump in the liberal side. I just tend to judge by what I have experienced and seen over my life that I lived so far. When it comes to passions I love flying, and wish to become a pilot some day. I also love listening to music and playing sport.