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U.S. Appoints New Chief for Embassy in Cuba After ‘Attacks’
The U.S. announced that Lawrence Gumbiner would replace Scott Hamilton as the charg d’affaires in Cuba amid mysterious health attacks targeting American personnel. [The Hill]
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U.N. Formally States Syria Behind Gas Attack That Prompted U.S. Strike
The U.N. confirmed the sarin gas attack that took place earlier this year in the Syrian town of Khan Sheikhoun and killed more than 80 people was carried out by the forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. [CNN]
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New Round of Syria Talks to Take Place in Geneva on November 28
The next round of talks between the Syrian government and the opposition will take place in Geneva on November 28, U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura announced. [Reuters]
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Saudi Arabia Supports Extension of Oil Production Cuts Beyond March 2018
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said he is in favor of extending the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) oil production cuts past March 2018. [Bloomberg]
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Russia, Qatar Sign Military Cooperation Agreement
The Defense Ministers of Qatar and Russia have signed an agreement on military and technical cooperation. [Middle East Monitor]
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Twitter Halts Advertising by Russian Media Outlets RT, Sputnik
Twitter announced its decision to halt RT and Sputnik advertising amid ongoing probes into Russia’s interference into the 2016 presidential election in the United States. [Twitter]
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U.S. House of Representatives Passes Bill to Impose New Sanctions on Iran
The U.S. house overwhelmingly passed a bill that would impose new sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missile program. [Reuters]
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U.S. Releases Documents on John Kennedy Assassination
U.S. authorities made public thousands of documents about John F. Kennedy’s assassination. [Los Angeles Times]
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Catalonia Not to Call Early Regional Elections
Catalan President Carles Puigdemont said he would not call early elections due to lack of “guarantees that would allow them to be held in absolute normality.” [Telegraph]
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Major Offensives Against Final ISIS Strongholds Underway on Both Sides of Syria-Iraq Border
Syrian regime forces captured an oil pumping station in Deir Ezzor province on Thursday, paving the way for a push to take Islamic State-held Al Bukamal, while across the border, Coalition-backed Iraqi forces launched an offensive to take Qaim and Rawa, the last ISIS urban strongholds in Iraq. [The Defense Post]
Thursday Highlights: October 26, 2017
Turkey deployed tanks and artillery in northern Syria last summer.