US vows to prevent Assad victory on eve of sanctions

The United States on Tuesday warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that he will never secure a full victory and must reach a political compromise, on the eve of stinging new sanctions.Kelly Craft, the US ambassador to the United Nations, urged Assad to embrace Security Council Resolution 2254 of 2015 -- which called for a ceasefire, elections and political transition in Syria -- and talks under UN envoy Geir Pedersen.