NEWS FLASH

Russia Wants To ‘Force’ A ‘Peaceful Political Solution’ In Syria | Despite reports that Russian naval forces will visit their port in Syria, signs point to growing Russian discontent with the civil war there. Once a staunch backer of Syria’s sovereignty, on Monday President Vladimir Putin told reporters, “We must do as much as possible to force the conflicting sides to reach a peaceful political solution to all contentious questions.” Representatives of the Syrian National Council, the main opposition umbrella group, met yesterday with the foreign ministry in Moscow and a Russian official Monday vowed to suspend new arms sales to President Bashar Al Assad’s government.