Carter Seeks Better Communication with Russia

As Russian air force jets began conducting sorties over Islamic State targets in Syria for the first time, Defense Secretary Ash Carter ordered his staff to create new lines of communication with Russia. “The purpose of these de-confliction discussions will be to ensure that ongoing coalition air operations are not interrupted by any…  Russian military activity, to ensure the safety of coalition aircrews and to avoid misjudgment and miscalculation,” Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said Sept. 29. Carter’s directive came shortly after President Obama met with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.