Turkish President Erdogan and Syrian President Assad could see opportunities to extend their rules in the disaster that has killed tens of thousands and pushed relief systems to their limits.

Russia’s extraordinary show of force in and around Ukraine underscores the military imbalance between the two countries. 

Scientists say the rain forest is approaching a critical tipping point at which the damage is irreversible.

The Assad regime and Arab capitals will reap the greatest rewards, but ordinary citizens and certain foreign governments involved in Syria’s war have less to gain.