Doctors Without Borders (MSF) calls for independent inquiry into Kunduz bombing
The airstrike on a Kunduz hospital that killed 22 people is still reverberating. MSF, which had personnel in the hospital, does not want the issue handled by the Afghan and American authorities.
Information is still coming in, but it’s likely the site was targeted by Afghan forces, not American one. (The aircraft was an American AC-130.) This will lead to more pressure for the US to place special forces personnel with indigenous forces in Afghanistan, perhaps inIraq and Syria as well.
Russia leader Vladimir Putin continues to act boldly in the world – especially the Middle East in recent weeks. He is providing arms to the Kurds but they are going through the Shia-Arab government in Baghdad. Meanwhile, Baghdad has stated that to would welcome Russian airstrikes on ISIL targets in Iraq.
Netanyahu vows to crack down on Palestinian violence
After weeks of violence between Israelis and Palestinians and tensions on the Temple Mount, the Israeli PM may be about to come down hard. This will likely only worsen matters and possible launch a third Intifada. Netanyahu knows this will provide a rationale for shelving peace talks aimed at a two-state solution.