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Are Russian Airstrikes Targeting ISIS Or Rebels?

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This image taken Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015, posted on the Twitter account of Syria Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, a volunteer search and rescue group, shows the aftermath of an airstrike in Talbiseh, Syria. Russia on Wednesday carried out its first airstrikes in Syria in what President Vladimir Putin called a preemptive strike against the militants. Khaled Khoja, head of the Syrian National Council opposition group, said at the U.N. that Russian airstrikes in four areas, including Talbiseh, killed dozens of civilians, with children among the dead. (Syria Civil Defence via AP)
This image taken Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015, posted on the Twitter account of Syria Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, a volunteer search and rescue group, shows the aftermath of an airstrike in Talbiseh, Syria. Russia on Wednesday carried out its first airstrikes in Syria in what President Vladimir Putin called a preemptive strike against the militants. Khaled Khoja, head of the Syrian National Council opposition group, said at the U.N. that Russian airstrikes in four areas, including Talbiseh, killed dozens of civilians, with children among the dead. (Syria Civil Defence via AP)

Russia launched new airstrikes in Syria on Thursday, and again there are differing accounts of whom the Russians are targeting. The Russians say they are hitting ISIS, but the U.S. and its allies say the areas targeted are held by the rebels who oppose Syrian President Bashar Assad, a Russian ally.

Here & Now's Robin Young turns to security analyst Jim Walsh to discuss this escalating conflict that now involves just about all world's major powers.

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This segment aired on October 1, 2015.

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