Tensions between Moscow and Washington increased yesterday when Russia warned the US-led coalition fighting in Syria that its aircraft are now "targets" after a jet shot down a Syrian government plane.
The military hotline, set up two years, ago had been "a crucial link that has allowed Moscow and Washington to notify each other about their air operations in Syria", reports the New York Times. Until now, says the BBC's Jonathan Marcus, "the co-ordination mechanism has generally worked well and its operation is as much in Moscow's as Washington's interest".
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The NY Times says suspending the hotline is "the most recent example of an intensifying clash of words and interests between the two powers, which support different sides in the six-year civil war in Syria".
The coalition confirmed that on Sunday, it shot down a Syrian bomber which attacked US-backed fighters attempting to oust Islamic State. The Syrian government, which counts Russia as its most important ally, condemned the "flagrant attack" and said it would have "dangerous repercussions".
"Any aircraft, including planes and drones... will be tracked by Russian anti-aircraft forces in the sky and on the ground and treated as targets," the Russian defence ministry wrote in a Facebook post.
In addition to the "usual rhetoric" – the charge that the US is violating Syrian sovereignty and breaking international law – Russia's response is "a practical step", says the BBC, promising to treat coalition drones and aircraft as potential targets.
"As the battle for eastern Syria steps up, Russia and its Syrian government ally seem intent on drawing a line in the sky."
-
Film reviews: ‘The Testament of Ann Lee,’ ’28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,’ and ‘Young Mothers’Feature A full-immersion portrait of the Shakers’ founder, a zombie virus brings out the best and worst in the human survivors, and pregnancy tests the resolve of four Belgian teenagers
-
Political cartoons for January 25Cartoons Sunday's political cartoons include a hot economy, A.I. wisdom, and more
-
Le Pen back in the dock: the trial that’s shaking FranceIn the Spotlight Appealing her four-year conviction for embezzlement, the Rassemblement National leader faces an uncertain political future, whatever the result
-
Syria’s Islamic State problemIn The Spotlight Fragile security in prison camps leads to escape of IS fighters
-
Panama and Canada are negotiating over a crucial copper mineIn the Spotlight Panama is set to make a final decision on the mine this summer
-
Why Greenland’s natural resources are nearly impossible to mineThe Explainer The country’s natural landscape makes the task extremely difficult
-
Iran cuts internet as protests escalateSpeed Reada Government buildings across the country have been set on fire
-
US nabs ‘shadow’ tanker claimed by RussiaSpeed Read The ship was one of two vessels seized by the US military
-
How Bulgaria’s government fell amid mass protestsThe Explainer The country’s prime minister resigned as part of the fallout
-
Femicide: Italy’s newest crimeThe Explainer Landmark law to criminalise murder of a woman as an ‘act of hatred’ or ‘subjugation’ but critics say Italy is still deeply patriarchal
-
Brazil’s Bolsonaro behind bars after appeals run outSpeed Read He will serve 27 years in prison
