Breaking the Ice

From WaPo: “Defense chiefs from the United States and Russia held their first direct talks in more than a year Friday, discussing the multiple conflicts in Syria and ways to battle the Islamic State as part of possible wider contacts aimed at easing tensions.” (Russian and American governments jockeying over Middle East disputes. What could possibly go wrong?)

+ “‘Im doing this to save you, our child, and everyone on board.’ Then he jumps overboard.” The LA Times with a close-up look at a desperate migration.

+ Eight reasons why Europe’s refugee crisis is happening now.

+ NY Mag’s Melissa Dahl on Europe’s refugee crisis and the biology of human altruism.