Syria ‘Cessation of Hostilities’ Agreement Touted by Kerry Faces Russian Hurdle

In Munich last Friday, Secretary of State John Kerry announced an agreement “to implement a nationwide cessation of hostilities [in Syria] to begin in a target of one week’s time.” But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made it clear that the fiercely-contested Aleppo region was excluded, on the grounds that it is occupied by “illegal armed groups.”