International Affairs

In a statement sent to Newsweek, the Syrian mission to the United Nations accused President Donald Trump's administration of having "disdain and contempt of international law and the UN Charter."

"Naturally, we will have to take the necessary response measures, which we have talked about many times, proceeding from the tasks of ensuring national security and maintaining strategic stability," the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

"The United States is always seeking Iraq's oil wells, as well as the disintegration of Iraq and the division of its nation and officials," Revolutionary Guard aerospace commander Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said.

A German official told Newsweek that the decision to pull 12,000 troops and relocate a military headquarters would be extremely costly "so, a reversal of the decision would first and foremost be seen as something that simply makes sense."

A spokesperson for the Taliban's political office in Qatar told Newsweek the move would be "a practical step towards ending Afghanistan's nearly 20-year war and toward the country's independence."

"It is absolutely the right thing to do and is grounded on clear fundamental military realities, and is going to help the country," Daniel L. Davis, a retired Army lieutenant colonel and military expert, told Newsweek

"If there is a balanced policy from Washington towards the continent, I think Washington would find Pakistan a willing partner," Pakistani permanent representative to the United Nations Munir Akram told Newsweek.

"What is happening right now isn't an 'over there' problem—it's a 'right here' problem," Freedom House President Mike Abramowitz told Newsweek. "This is an American president and an American election, and that's what's so dangerous about it."

Rice, who has previously served as United Nations ambassador and national security adviser, is among those touted for a top role in the incoming administration.

Residents of Tehran shared with Newsweek their hopes, fears and stories of fireworks in response to former Vice President Joe Biden's projected victory, a development they hope will end an era of crushing "maximum pressure" against Iran.

Russia and Iran support Syria's efforts to bring back refugees, but President Bashar al-Assad said sanctions and insurgents are making it difficult, especially as the country's economy suffers a deep crisis compounded by COVID-19.

Iran expects the United States not only to return to its international obligations under the nuclear deal, but to pay for its violations, and time may be running out for what's left the agreement.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called the move "unbelievably painful for me and our people" but said, "we will never recognize ourselves as the losers."

The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed Monday that one of its Mil Mi-24 gunships were downed by over-the-shoulder missile fire while accompanying a 102nd military base convoy near an Armenian village along the border with Azerbaijan.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif set out for Venezuela, Cuba and Bolivia, but the U.S. Western Hemisphere assistant secretary dismissed the trip, saying "their dealings together underscore their lack of legitimacy."

As scrutiny surrounded a seemingly intractable U.S. election, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson criticized "the archaic nature of the relevant legislation and the lack of regulation in it on a number of fundamental points."

With no definite end in sight to the race between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, the world watches on, captivated yet with many hesitant to comment on the uncertain situation.

"Our enemies are facing a decline in power, and with each passing day, the slope of this decline is accelerating," Revolutionary Guard commander Major General Hossein Salami set beside a new missile launch system.

"Those who play with fire will get burned," People's Liberation Army Senior Colonel Wu Qian warned.

"It's just one metric but it sure looks like its drop correlated with a rise in Trump's odds of winning the election," Hudson Institute senior fellow Rebeccah Heinrichs told Newsweek.

One North Korean male was reportedly captured, but the high alert remained until the situation was investigated.

"What would be in the interest of both countries and their people is that U.S. government officials change their policy from one of aggression to a return to diplomacy," Venezuelan Vice Minister Carlos Ron Martínez told Newsweek.

As the U.S. Navy trains with Australia, India and Japan to "deter all who challenge a free and open Indo-Pacific," China hopes these drills are "conducive to regional peace and stability, instead of working in the opposite way."

Japan and South Korea, U.S. allies in the post-World War II era, do not share President Donald Trump's tough anti-China position and have sought better ties with the People's Republic, even as major challenges persist.

"We understand the fatigue in America, but withdrawal must be measured and strategic in order to preserve the gains that Americans and Afghans have sacrificed so much for," Afghan ambassador Roya Rahmani told Newsweek.

"Russia does not interfere in the U.S. elections and would work with any future president of the United States chosen by the American people," Petr Svirin, spokesperson for Moscow's embassy in Washington, tells Newsweek.

Both China and Russia say they'll work with whomever the U.S. voters choose, but the winner will have to come to terms with an emerging Beijing-Moscow consensus.

"Should anyone dare to stir up a conflict on the sea, the Chinese side will fight back resolutely to safeguard its national sovereignty and security interests," Chinese Senior Colonel Wu Qian warned.

Israel's Brigadier General Ido Mizrachi told Newsweek "we have to be ready to operate against Hezbollah," which said the powerful Lebanese movement's forces are "always prepared" regardless of the IDF's massive military drills.

China and Pakistan are frustrated at warming U.S.-India defense ties, which threaten to upset the geopolitical balance of power in Asia.