U.S.-Brokered Ceasefire in Syria Takes Effect

A ceasefire brokered by the U.S., Russia and Jordan for southwest Syria took effect on Sunday. U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia President Vladimir Putin negotiated the deal at the G-20 Summit in Germany last week as part of what Trump is calling a more “constructive” relationship with Russia. “The United States remains committed to defeating ISIS, helping to end the conflict in Syria, reducing suffering, and enabling people to return to their homes,” Trump’s national security adviser H.R. McMaster said. “This agreement is an important step toward these common goals.” Russia initially entered Syria with the intent to prop up Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a Russian ally, and the Russians are suspected of knowing about an Assad chemical weapons attack in advance.