The collapse of the Soviet Union ended Russia as a superpower, eventually leading to Moscow’s full withdrawal from the Middle East, but decades later President Vladimir Putin would reverse this trajectory by reinserting itself back into the region.

Russia is reportedly challenging the U.S. military presence in Syria by testing new weapons, bolstering defenses and increasing the presence of troops near facilities operated by the Pentagon.

Saudi Arabia on Monday slammed as “interference” US Senate resolutions over its war in Yemen and critic Jamal Khashoggi’s murder, warning that the move could have repercussions on its strategic ties with Washington.

A relieved Strasbourg prepared to reopen its popular Christmas market on Friday after French police shot dead the gunman who killed three people there in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group.

Hundreds of police scoured eastern France on Thursday for a fugitive gunman behind a deadly Strasbourg Christmas market attack that left two people dead and six others fighting for their lives.

The man suspected of carrying out a fatal shooting attack in Strasbourg on Tuesday night had cried out “Allahu Akbar” during the attack, said Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz.