syria

President Obama claims U.S. airstrikes are pushing back Islamic militant forces in Iraq. In a White House news conference, the President again pushed Iraq's new leadership to create a more "unified and inclusive" government. He also warned that rooting out ISIS militants will not be quick or easy...

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says U.S. airstrikes have helped Iraqi and Kurdish forces regain their footing in Iraq, but he expects Islamic State militants will regroup and stage a new offensive. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey says it's possible to contain the Islamic State militants, but it can't be done permanently without going after the group in Syria...

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson is ordering increased security measures at some overseas airports offering direct flights to the United States. The Homeland Security Department would not immediately say Wednesday whether the increased measures were in response to intelligence about a specific threat...

President Barack Obama opens meetings at the United Nations with diplomatic opportunities on three vexing issues: Iran's disputed nuclear program, Syria's chemical weapons use, and elusive peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

A Jordanian official says the number of Syrian refugees crossing into the kingdom has jumped nearly tenfold last week to an average of 900 people per day, its highest level in months.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says U.S. military intervention in other countries' internal conflicts has become alarming commonplace and he's calling for caution in dealing with Syria.

President Obama again made his case for action against Syria in a speech from the East Room of the White House on Tuesday night while asking the House and Senate to put off a vote a vote on military action.

Sen. John McCain says the United States has no choice but to allow time for a new diplomatic offensive on Syria to "play out," even though he's skeptical that the plan is genuine.

Syria says it welcomes Russia's appeal for Syria to place its chemical arsenals under international control, and then destroy them, in order to avert a U.S. military strike.

Syrian President Bashar Assad is warning there will be retaliation against the U. S. for any military strike launched in response to a chemical weapons attack.