* Russian Official Warns Iran Not to Use 'De-Escalation Zones' for Military Expansion Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov on Monday told reporters that the "de-escalation zones" his country set up in Syria in collaboration with Iran and Turkey should not be turned into "zones of other countries" influence," TASS reported.
* U.S. "Finalizing' Peace Plan Despite Abbas Vow for International Efforts "You don't have to praise it. You don't even have to accept it. But know this: That decision will not change," US Envoy to the UN Nikki Haley said.
* Russia admits dozens of Russian casualties in Syria battle Russia's foreign ministry has confirmed that "several dozen" Russian citizens - not regular soldiers - were killed or wounded in a recent battle in Syria.
* Syria war: Pro-government forces enter Kurdish-held Afrin Syrian pro-government forces have entered the Kurdish enclave of Afrin, provoking an immediate response from Turkish forces besieging the area.
* Hamas leaders in disarray, split over mixed signals from Tehran It turns out that Al Qods chief Qassem Soleimani quietly directed Hamas leaders to hold their fire against Israel.
* 'We are the Canaanites' PA chief claims Palestinians are direct descendants of Canaanites, says Palestine made contributions to humanity before Balfour Declaration.
* 'International community must hold Mideast peace conference' PA chief tells UN Security Council that international conference focusing on Mideast talks must be organized by mid-2018.
* Iranian official: If Israel attacks, 'we will level Tel Aviv' Senior official threatens to destroy Tel Aviv if Israel takes military action against Tehran, following Netanyahu's words in Munich.
* U.S. Warns Brussels Not to Threaten NATO With EU Army Brussels must be careful not to weaken or undermine the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as it builds a supranational European Union (EU) Army, American military leaders have told their EU allies.
* Report: US Ambassador Warns Settlement Evacuation Could Spark Civil War Portions of the Israeli right-wing public have long feared that a large scale settlement evacuation could lead to a civil war.