The downing of an Israeli F-16 by Syrian air defenses on Feb. 10 led to speculations about the opening of a new front in the Civil War. Whether an escalation will take place immediately is uncertain but the region is currently set for the outbreak of an Israel-Iran proxy conflict.
Last month, French President Emmanuel Macron started his trip to China from the city of Xian. Macron is known for his apt use of symbolism and his choice of the historic Silk Road city was no different.