Russia’s UN envoy has questioned the efficacy of the US led counter-terror operation in Iraq, as terrorist activity there has intensified. Russia is concerned that terrorists seem to have learned to manufacture poisonous substances, Vitaly Churkin said while urging the UN to delve into the origin of chemical agents obtained by militants “via Turkey.” RT reports: Speaking at Friday’s UN Security Council meeting on Iraq, Russia’s Ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, commended the Iraqi government’s efforts in combatting Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL), while questioning the role of the international coalition under the leadership of US forces, which he said has not achieved any feasible progress on the ground so far. “…The dramatic rise in terrorist activity, especially in Bagdad, makes us grow wary and question the efficiency of the activities of the ‘coalition’ which has been calling itself ‘global’ in the recent time due to some reason,” he said, pointing out the rapid expansion of Islamic State’s operations in Libya, Afghanistan, and Europe. The diplomat emphasized that all interested parties must adhere to the principles of international law in tackling the challenges posed by the global terror threat, while warning against the adoption of “double standards.” “There should be [...]