Putin calls the shots in Syria
Russia has emerged as the key player in shaping the future of Syria. The US is now only playing a walk-on role, as Moscow supports President Assad politically and diplomatically. Also in this programme/podcast: the first confirmed object from another star system enters ours; the beginning of the end for Angela Merkel as she gives up trying to form a new German coalition, at least for now; what protests about a Bollywood movie tell us about freedom of speech in India; and Zimbabwe gets a new president - will he be any better than the last one? (Photo: Presidents Rouhani of Iran, Putin of Russia, and Erdogan of Turkey meet to discuss Syria in the Russian resort of Sochi. Credit: EPA)