US and Sunni powers wooing Russia away from Iran
Iran is Assad’s strongest supporter. Russia is thought more amenable to removing Assad. The US and Sunni powers are trying to convince Putin to help get rid of Assad then cooperate against ISIL – and to limit Iranian influence in Syria. The position here is that Russia will not remain close to the Shia powers as it wold close off trade and political ties with the larger Sunni world.
The article also notes reports that Iran is reducing its troop levels in Syria owing to financial troubles. This is dubious.
Events in France and Syria have obscured the ongoing insurrection in Israel and the West Bank. However, several people are killed each week. The Palestinian method of stabbing may have inspired a similar attack on a Jewish person in southern France yesterday.