Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Russia Moves to Fill Void Left by US in Northern Syria

Associated Press

   CEYLANPINAR, TURKEY - Russia moved to fill the void left by the United
   States in northern Syria on Tuesday, deploying troops to keep apart
   advancing Syrian government forces and Turkish troops. At the same
   time, tensions grew within NATO as Turkey defied growing condemnation
   of its invasion from its Western allies.

   Now in its seventh day, Turkey's offensive against Kurdish fighters has
   caused tens of thousands to flee their homes, has upended alliances and
   is re-drawing the map of northern Syria for yet another time in the
   8-year-old war.

   Russia moved quickly to further entrench its role as a power broker
   after President Donald Trump ordered the pullout of American forces in
   northeastern Syria. The American move effectively abandoned the Kurdish
   fighters who were allied with the U.S. and cleared the way for Turkey's
   invasion aimed at crushing them.

.