An expert says Saudi Arabia has been the main executor of of US policies in the entire Middle East.

A former US Marine says the reason behind the invasion of Afghanistan by the US and its allies was to achieve access to the country's resources.

An analyst says the policies of the West preclude the realization of permanent peace in Ukraine.

An analyst says the expansion of NATO in the Baltic region may lead to war between Russia and the West.

The US is considering whether to provide the Ukrainian army with lethal weapons amid intensifying tensions in eastern Ukraine despite a ceasefire deal. Kerry made the comments in a press conference with his British counterpart Philip Hammond in London. He called on Moscow and pro-Russia forces in eastern Ukraine to respect the ceasefire, which was agreed on February 15. Kerry condemned what he called Russia's extraordinarily craven behavior in breaching the truce and described its conduct in eastern Ukraine as simply unacceptable. The US Secretary of State warned that there will be further consequences for pro-Russians and Moscow if they continue to violate the ceasefire terms.

A new round of snow is blanketing the US East Coast. Snowfalls have been a regular part of ordinary life for several weeks now. Freezing temperatures make life difficult for affected Americans-even causing deaths.

A top US commander has revealed that Washington is planning to attack the Iraqi city of Mosul in April or May to drive the ISIL out of its stronghold. According to the official, Iraqi troops and Kurdish Peshmerga forces will take part in the offensive. The Pentagon has also announced that it could recommend the dispatch of US teams on the ground. The timing and nature of these revelations have sparked much controversy in Iraq's political corridors.

US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter says Washington is seriously considering slowing the pace of troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. Carter made the comments at a joint press conference with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul. This is Carter's first visit to Afghanistan as the new Pentagon chief. There were some 130,000 U-S-led foreign troops in the country until last year when NATO withdrew most of its soldiers. A contingent of 12,500 foreign troops has remained in Afghanistan most of them American. The US and its allies invaded Afghanistan back in 2001, with the stated aim of toppling the Taliban regime and establishing security in the country. Over 13 years into the war, security is still elusive in the country and attacks by Taliban militants are commonplace.

This edition of The Debate focuses on the United States' disposition to keep its forces in Afghanistan after 13 years of fruitless war on terror.

Iran says it accepts either a complete nuclear agreement or no agreement at all.