Russia's air campaign in Syria is facing growing international criticism. The International Committee for the Red Cross noted on Wednesday that airstrikes were making it more difficult to reach areas in need of medical aid, and on Thursday the Syrian-American Medical Society, which operates several medical facilities in Syria, said at least nine hospitals have been hit by Russian bombs. Speaking before the U.N. Security Council yesterday, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power condemnedRussia's campaign, which she said is adding to the deaths and displacement of civilians and strengthening the Islamic State. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov this morning for preliminary talks before meeting with Saudi and Turkish officials to discuss the situation in Syria. A Russian official suggested yesterday that Moscow supports early elections in Syria designed to give Bashar al-Assad a political mandate.
