The failure of world powers to quell the five-year conflict in Syria , the Russian military intervention there and the spread of Islamic terrorism overshadowed an annual security conference here, which came as Europe falters ahead of a new effort to cope with its refugee crisis. The somber tone of the meeting was reflected in comments Sunday by a senior German official close to Chancellor Angela Merkel who said that Russia was unlikely to respect a new accord on ceasing hostilities in Syria given the aggressive hand it has played there and the advantage it has gained by using armed force. Adding to the gloom, France indicated during the meeting it would not join a German plan to redistribute more refugees […]