The EU meanwhile is grappling with the worst migrant crisis since the end of World War II and the bloc wants increased cooperation with NATO to tackle the problem , notably in bolstering the UN - backed government in Libya where ISIL has recently gained ground . Russia 's intervention in Ukraine and its 2014 annexation of Crimea stung NATO into action after years of complacency and defence cuts following the fall of the Soviet Union . Moscow says NATO 's response is just a cover for encroaching conflict.attack.invade on its borders , while Washington builds a European missile defence shield which undercuts Russia 's nuclear deterrent . " I think you have to remember where this started , " said a senior US official . " NATO took these measures because Russia chose to invade and occupy Crimea and then move into eastern Ukraine .

The EU meanwhile is grappling with the worst migrant crisis since the end of World War II and the bloc wants increased cooperation with NATO to tackle the problem , notably in bolstering the UN - backed government in Libya where ISIL has recently gained ground . Russia 's intervention in Ukraine and its 2014 annexation of Crimea stung NATO into action after years of complacency and defence cuts following the fall of the Soviet Union . Moscow says NATO 's response is just a cover for encroaching conflict.attack.na on its borders , while Washington builds a European missile defence shield which undercuts Russia 's nuclear deterrent . " I think you have to remember where this started , " said a senior US official . " NATO took these measures because Russia chose to invade and occupy Crimea and then move into eastern Ukraine .

The funds went to a group called OneVoice – officially to support Israeli - Palestinian peace negotiations . But the organization actually deployed the U.S. taxpayer dollars build an anti - Netanyahu campaign with an Obama - linked political consulting firm Guthrie asked Obama in the new interview if he thought Putin was encroaching conflict.attack.na on America 's November presidential election . ' What the motives were in terms of the leaks , all that – I ca n't say directly , ' the president replied . ' What I do know is that Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed admiration for Vladimir Putin .

Alongside the Gobi , China is now home to the Taklimaka desert , the world ’s second largest wandering desert . Consequently , the spread of deserts has seen more than half the land in provinces such as Gansu rendered inhospitable . The growing deserts have also added a new dimension to China ’s pollution problem , as giant sandstorms descend on the country from March to May , affecting cities such as Beijing , itself only a few hundred kilometers from the encroaching conflict.attack.na desert . Sandstorms not only add a new subcategory for hazardous air quality , but also pick up contaminants in the polluted soil of China ’s industrial north , raining toxic dust on major cities . This only further reduces the already low number of clear sky days in Beijing , fueling protests and unrest over the region ’s pollution .