US Pursues Syria Cooperation With Russia Amid New Volatility

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is launching a fresh bid to enlist Russia as a partner in Syria despite months of dashed hopes as the situation on the ground becomes more volatile with the introduction of Turkish forces.

The military picture in Syria is growing more chaotic by the day. Secretary of State John Kerry will meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov later this week to try to hammer out a diplomatic initiative that would see greater cooperation that could lead to a resumption in talks on a political transition.

Before talks can begin, U.S. officials say it is imperative that Russia use its influence with Syrian President Bashar Assad to halt attacks on moderate opposition forces, open humanitarian aid corridors, and concentrate any offensive action on the Islamic State group.

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