A temporary "cessation of hostilities" in Syria brokered by the U.S. and Russia took effect Friday night in the war-torn nation. The cease-fire, which excludes areas of the country controlled by ISIS and the Syrian al Qaeda offshoot al Nusra Front, is seen as a stepping stone to UN brokered peace talks, which Western nations hope will take place in March. Despite the fact that the Syrian government, the opposition, and nearly 100 rebel groups agreed to the cease-fire, officials are skeptical of its chances of success.
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