(The Guardian)- Indirect talks between Syrian rebel factions and government representatives have opened in Kazakhstan, as Russia takes on the role of Middle East power broker. The meetings, scheduled to last two days at a luxury hotel in the Kazakh capital, Astana, will focus on how to...

The new U.S. administration must fully understand the importance of the "one China" policy and appreciate that the issue of Taiwan is highly sensitive for the Beijing government, China said on Monday. U.S. President Donald Trump, who was inaugurated on Friday, said in December the United...

The Great Mosque of Aleppo, a centuries-old treasure at the heart of one of the world's oldest cities, is today a grim monument to the ravages of Syria's war. The doors have been blasted away, the walls have been shredded by gunfire and shrapnel, and the minaret where the Muslim call to...

(Al-Jazeera)- A delegation of Syrian rebels attending a new round of talks in Kazakhstan's capital will not hold direct talks with representatives of the government, according to opposition sources. The meetings in Astana, organised by Russia and Turkey, are aimed at strengthening a shaky...