Kerry, Lavrov try to settle differences over Syrian talks
The United States and Russia disagree over which Syrian opposition groups should be labeled terrorists and barred from the negotiations
Syria
Will Assad's battlefield victories doom Syria peace talks?
Government's advances hurt chances of halting the five-year civil war that has killed a quarter of a million people
Senate to consider tougher screening for Syrian refugees
The House passed the bill in November, which President Obama would veto
ISIS uses sandstorm as cover to seize new areas in Syria
Activists say militants pressed offensive without fear of being hit from the air by Syria's air force, grounded by the bad weather
Syria alleges new "appalling massacre" by ISIS in east
Rights group corroborates parts of government's account of extremists' slaughter of hundreds and alleged kidnapping of hundreds more in Deir el-Zour
Photos of the week
The most compelling photos from the week's news, Jan. 9-15, 2016, including terror attacks and the Golden Globe Awards
U.N. agency: Starving Syrian teen died "in front of our eyes"
Teenager's death in front of international aid workers shows scale of humanitarian catastrophe in besieged areas
U.S. military reveals civilian toll of anti-ISIS strikes
Pentagon has relaxed its zero-tolerance for civilian deaths in the bombing campaign against extremists in Syria and Iraq
Second aid batch enters besieged Syrian communities
Aid enters town besieged by government troops following reports of starvation, grave deprivation, illness among trapped residents
Pentagon lays out plan to take power centers from ISIS
Defense Secretary Ash Carter describes operations to troops who will soon deploy to Iraq
After global outcry, aid reaches besieged Syrian towns
UN, Red Cross convoys hit the road after images of starving children and desperate pleas from residents in Madaya shocked the world
Russian airstrikes allegedly hit schools full of Syrian kids
Opposition says bombs hit 3 schools in rebel-held countryside near Aleppo, killing at least 35 children and wounding many more
Terror arrests reignite refugee debate
Critics say arrests of two men with ties to Islamic militants reinforces why refugees fleeing Middle East should not be allowed into U.S.
Syrians starved under gov't siege reportedly resort to eating pets
Residents of Madaya, cut off from world by Bashar Assad's forces for months, may finally get some relief after graphic video of starving kids posted online
U.S. gov't predicts Syria's Assad will outlast Obama
Associated Press says internal U.S. document outlining plan for transition in war-torn nation envisions Assad in power until 2017
Iran-Saudi row threatens flailing effort to halt Syrian war
Muslim world's two biggest foes back opposite sides in Syria and Yemen and will need to cooperate for peace, which looks less likely than ever
Saudi - Iran standoff pours fuel on Mideast tinderbox
Anger festering between Islam's 2 main sects for 1,400 years is simmering ever hotter across the Muslim world
Trump mocks State Department's 2015 boast of peace in Syria
State Department spokesperson John Kirby wrote in a blog post that "bringing peace, security to Syria" was an accomplishment of the year
Convoy crosses into Syria for border village evacuation
Move is part of U.N.-backed truce deal for transfer of thousands of Shiite and Sunni civilians from two key Syrian battlegrounds
Assassination of key Syrian rebel commander leaves much up in the air
Opposition dealt significant setback that could reshuffle key players ahead of expected peace talks in Geneva next month
ISIS leader surfaces in new audio recording
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi says self-styled "caliphate" doing well despite U.S.-backed alliance against it; meanwhile, coalition seizes key Syrian dam from ISIS
Official: Pullout of militants, including ISIS fighters, near Damascus on hold
Deal to move mainly ISIS fighters and their families out of Yarmouk is being delayed for "logistical reasons"; comes after assassination of top rebel commander
Human Rights groups accuse Russia of targeting Syria's civilians
At least 34 civilians were killed in the Nov. 29 attack; part of growing number of suspected Russian attacks aimed at civilians
The year in pictures 2015
A look back at some of the most memorable news images and stories of the past year
U.N. demands Syria allow urgent aid deliveries to 13.5 million
Council expressed outrage at escalating violence in Syria and grave concern for civilians living in besieged areas
Oregon school shooter ID'd, used shotgun bought by mother, sources say
Katie Zacharia out as White House press secretary after first week
Exclusive
Sacramento mom says "hero" son shot, killed Oregon school shooter
Trump waives tariffs on largest buyers of Russian oil
Vance says admin. must take action when ICE agents "screw up"
Live
Iran's president denies nuclear ambitions, says he's ready for talks
Hero bystander, teacher praised for saving lives in school shooting
Sean "Diddy" Combs moved to prison in Pennsylvania
