PARIS (AP) " A leaked proposal shows the U.S. offering Russia a new military pact against the Islamic State and al-Qaida in Syria. Such a partnership would undercut months of U.S. criticism of Russia's military intervention in Syria. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will discuss the proposal in Moscow later Thursday. Washington previously rebuffed such cooperation with Moscow, accusing the Russians of using anti-terrorism as a pretext to protect Assad. The document published by The Washington Post calls for joint bombing operations, a command-and-control headquarters and other synchronized efforts.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 14, 2016 07:52 UTC