

Timothy M. Kaine

Russian strikes in Syria likely hit US- backed rebels, not Islamic State

UNITED NATIONS _ In a dangerous escalation of the Syrian crisis, Russia launched airstrikes Wednesday on what it claimed were Islamic State targets, but which appeared to hit moderate U.S.-backed opponents of the Syrian government, directly challenging U.S. credibility in the conflict.tmpplchld Moscow's actions are certain to stoke Cold War-like tensions between the United States and Russia and, in the near term, bolster the beleaguered Syrian army. It also would seem to give the Kremlin the upper hand in influencing the course of the conflict and diplomatic efforts to end it.tmpplchld In the longer run, Moscow's intervention also risks unifying the disparate non-Islamic State...