Headlines:

• The Fall of Aleppo
• Two Explosions Kill Dozens in Istanbul this Week
• Russia rigged US Election?

The Fall of Aleppo

As the bombing campaign on Eastern Aleppo continued, talks of a temporary ceasefire failed to materialise between the regime and rebel groups to allow the safe passage of civilians. The regime continues to relentlessly bomb Aleppo with more than 95% of territory now being transferred to the regime. This is a huge turning point in this conflict as whilst the rebels have previously managed to regain their losses, there seems no chance of this in Eastern Aleppo.  The rebels however have maintained their presence in places like Idlib but this now also seems under threat with recent airstrikes on the region by the regime. The Revolution itself hangs in the balance with many calling this the beginning of the end of the blessed revolution.

Two Explosions Kill Dozens in Istanbul this Week

At least 38 people have died from blasts that took place near the Besiktas stadium, injuring 160 others who were in the vicinity at the time. The arena is located across the historic Dolmabahce Palace overlooking the Bosphorus Strait. According to Turkish authorities, 13 suspects have been detained and that these attacks are believed to be targeted towards police personnel. ‘Police evacuated the area around the Besiktas football arena following the explosions, which the interior ministry said was a car bomb attack. The second explosion at a nearby park was reportedly carried out by a suicide bomber.’ Turkey also declared a day of mourning after both the blasts shook the country. Although unconfirmed, the Turkish government have immediately blamed Kurdish armed groups, whom have twice struck in the capital Ankara, while the likes of ISIS have hit the capital three times hitherto. Turkey has been a target of many attacks since the Arab Spring unfolded and it is still reeling from a failed coup.

Russia rigged US Election?

The Washington Post has reported that the CIA is sure of Russia’s deliberate efforts to help elect Donald Trump as president of the United States. According to the story, “Agency briefers told the senators it was now ‘quite clear’ that electing Trump was Russia’s goal.” In a report by the Washington Post, officials are named who say they have information related to those connected to the Russian government — the same persons who provided Wikileaks emails that were hacked from the Democratic National Convention and John Podesta. “It is the assessment of the intelligence community that Russia’s goal here was to favor one candidate over the other, to help Trump get elected,” said a senior U.S. official briefed on an intelligence presentation made to U.S. Senators. “That’s the consensus view.”