Are all Sides, Including US, Violating Syria Ceasefire?

FEATURING REESE ERLICH – Within weeks of a recently brokered ceasefire in Syria, there has been horrific violence. Over the weekend US airstrikes targeted an area near the Deir Ezzor airport, killing dozens of what turned out to be Syrian Army soldiers fighting the Islamic State. The US responded by saying it was a mistake. Then, a major convoy of United Nations trucks carrying desperately needed food aid and medical supplies to rebel-controlled areas in Aleppo was bombed. The US accused Russia of targeting the convoy.

US and Russian diplomats are at a high-level meeting this week. Secretary of State John Kerry has been unrelenting in his criticism of Russia’s role in backing Syrian President Bashar Al Assad. But the US is ostensibly in Syria to target ISIS, which Assad is also fighting. Human Rights groups have pointed to the Assad regime as the greatest violator of human rights in Syria today.

Reese Erlich, veteran foreign correspondent and author of a number of books about the Middle East and war on terror, including Inside Syria: The Backstory of Their Civil War and What the World Can Expect, which is just now out in paperback.