Nearly two weeks after the Russian intervention began in Syria, one could say it has not got off to a good start. Last week, the Syrian regime launched its first ground offensive against the rebels under Russian air support. The assault, in Hama’s northern countryside, failed spectacularly...

Vladimir Putin turned 63 this week with his now traditional display of sporting prowess, and an announcement that Russian naval vessels had launched a wave of missiles against Islamic State in Syria. The Russian leader has never appeared more confident and his grip on power...

The Bassel al-Assad Airbase in Syria’s northwestern Lattakia province -- believed to host 32 planes, 16 helicopters, nine tanks, two land-to-air missile defense systems and a 2,000-strong staff of Russian officers -- represents Russia’s most significant military asset in Syria. Russia is...

Russia's air strikes in Syria are in part designed to extract concessions from the West over Ukraine by making Moscow a key player in any attempts by world powers to hammer out a post-conflict settlement in Damascus, some Western officials believe. While the Syrian capital lies...