US President Donald Trump will bring a new layer of uncertainty surrounding Syria's likely debt restructuring challenges after the fall of the Assad regime. Syria's two largest creditors, Iran and Russia,

Although this was the first direct conversation between Putin and al-Sharaa, the interim Syrian leader had previously engaged with Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and special presidential envoy Alexander Lavrentyev during a high-profile visit to Damascus in January.

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa held his first direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week in a call initiated by Moscow, signaling a shift in Syria-Russia relations following the ouster of Bashar Assad.

Russia has been expanding its influence in Africa by securing a naval base in Sudan and increasing its military presence in Libya to maintain strategic access to the Mediterranean and Red seas.

Unidentified drones have been spotted above the Khmeimim air base; a military blogger has theorized the Syrian government is behind it.

Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin told NBC's "Meet The Press" that he agrees with the Trump administration that the U.S. should only remain part of the NATO Alliance as long as it is in our national interest: SEN.