UN’s peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ends after 35 years following US-Russia standoff

CASABLANCA, Morocco: The UN’s long-running peacekeeping mission for the disputed Western Sahara ceased operations Sunday after 35 years, as a result of a US-Russia standoff at UN headquarters over the territory’s future. The end of the mission raises concerns about stability in the region. Rich in minerals and fisheries, Western Sahara is a vast desert territory roughly the size of…