As part of the arrangement, Russia is expected to keep Syrian air force planes from bombing areas controlled by the opposition. The United States has committed to help weaken the Nusra Front, an extremist group that has intermingled with the U.S.-backed opposition in places. THE STAKESSyria's civil war has killed as many as 500,000 people and sent millions fleeing their homes within Syria and into exile. Lavrov said through a translator, "The Syrian government has been informed of these arrangements and is ready to fulfill them." WHAT MAKES THIS DEAL DIFFERENTThe United States and Russia, ultimately, are to find themselves fighting together against the Islamic State and Nusra, and embarking on unprecedented information-sharing — aimed at dispelling longstanding mistrust between the two powers over the Syria conflict.

Source: ABC News September 10, 2016 02:03 UTC