Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Bahram Qasemi on Sunday called reports of this weekend's alleged chemical attack by the Syrian government "a new plot" and "an excuse" by some Western countries, including the U.S., to take military action against President Bashar al-Assad, reports Iranian news agency IRNA. He added that "it will definitely increase the complexity of the situation in this country and region."
The details: Qasemi said the Syrian government "has had a good cooperation" with the United Nations on chemical issues and that the alleged chemical attack is not based on facts. His remarks come after President Trump blasted Russian President Vladimir Putin and the government of Iran for aiding “Animal Assad” in his civil war with rebel forces since 2011. Reports said the Saturday's gas attacks claimed the lives of at least 70 civilians.
President Trump responded on Twitter to the alleged chemical attack by Syrian government forces that left dozens dead, calling out Russian President Vladimir Putin by name for his backing of the Assad regime.
This tweet is important. So far, Trump has avoided at all costs saying anything negative or confrontational about Putin. Trump has let his administration take tough actions against Russia — like sanctions, sending lethal arms to Ukraine, expelling Russian diplomats — but his red line has been criticizing Putin. As we've reported previously, the president is loath to criticize Putin by name or call him out in one-on-one conversations.
One of six Palestinian journalists shot during a protest at the Israeli border died on Saturday, The Washington Post reports; he was wearing a marked "PRESS" protective vest at the time.
The big picture: Unrest in Gaza has escalated over the last week, leaving 31 dead. Per the Post, residents began "what has been billed as six weeks of demonstrations against Israel" last week. The Palestinian health ministry in Gaza reported 491 Palestinians sustained gunshot wounds during Friday's Hamas-backed protest; WashPost reports that the Israeli military "has maintained that the shooting...is carefully targeted." Israel says "it is forced to use live ammunition" as Hamas is using the protests to cover up attacks.
Part of the reason China was willing to take a harder line against North Korea was to curry favor with the U.S., but Trump has proposed tariffs on Chinese exports anyways, ratcheting up trade tensions.
Why it matters: Beijing is now reassessing its priorities when it comes to North Korea, according to Jenny Town, managing editor of 38 North, and may be less willing to keep up the pressure.
Since regaining independence from Soviet rule in 1991, the Baltic states have become some of Europe's most dynamic economies, joined NATO and embraced the democratic commitments to openness, human rights and the rule of law. Yet they're now being tested by a revanchist Russia intent on sowing division and mistrust.
The big picture: As Russia threatens to undermine the Baltic states with dangerous brinksmanship, the U.S. faces a historic window of opportunity to fortify the U.S.–Baltic partnership.
