Russian state news agencies reported on Sunday that Bashar al-Assad and his family fled to Russia where they will be granted asylum. For years, the Kremlin’s political and military support has enabled Assad to cling onto power. Today, Russia’s military still has boots on the ground in Syria — but with the fall of the Assad regime, the Kremlin’s foothold has become uncertain.
In Europe, many countries will be paying close attention to the Trump administration’s approach to the war between Russia and Ukraine. While campaigning, Trump said that he would “end” the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of becoming president. So far, government officials in both Russia and Ukraine are being cautious in their statements about Trump and his policy toward the war.
The past couple of years have seen a major uptick in water-related conflicts globally. Peter Gleick of the Pacific Institute is attending World Water Week in Stockholm and speaks with The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler about the role water plays in global conflict.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is threatening to restart production of intermediate-range nuclear weapons. This is in response to plans by the US to position long-range missiles in Germany. The World’s Daniel Ofman reports on the rising nuclear tensions between the US and Russia.
Last week, the US and Russia completed a historic prisoner swap. Twenty-six people in total were released, including 24 adults and two children. But it wasn’t just Americans — most of those released by the Kremlin were Russian political dissidents. Now, many of them are stuck in exile.
In a surprise move, the US, Russia and five other countries carried out a prisoner swap. Twenty-six people in total were released, including 24 adults and two children. The World’s Daniel Ofman has the latest, and explains what it all may mean for US-Russia relations.