Despite countless attempts by the Bashar al-Assad regime to subdue the sporadic protests that have appeared across Syria since February, the demonstrations have consistently grown in both size and intensity. Last week, a march in the town of Hama may have attracted over 100,000 protesters, quite likely the largest anti-Assad demonstration in Syria thus far. …
Continue reading “Syrian Opposition Remains Divided on Engagement”
Without intervention, by George Ajjan
"If anyone votes against [this] resolution, or tries to veto it, that should be on their conscience." These were the futile words of British Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday (8th) following discussions over proposals to submit a UN resolution against Syria, condemning the violence and genocide currently sweeping the nation. The draft resolution – …
Continue reading “West to Syria: Do as I Say, Not as I Do”
A resolution inspired by Western nations critical of civilian killings in politically-beleaguered Syria is facing threats from two veto-wielding permanent members of the Security Council: Russia and China. If and when the resolution is adopted by the 15-member Council, perhaps next week, it will be diluted to avoid the customary call for economic or military …
Continue reading “Russia, China Shield Syria from Possible UN Sanctions “
BEIRUT — Since pro-democracy protests began over two months ago, Syria has been engaged in a fierce media war — with journalists arrested and international press banned from entering the country. This has severely curtailed the flow of information out of the country. "There is no independent press in Syria," says Human Rights Watch Director …
Continue reading “Media War Blurs Picture in Syria”
BEIRUT – Syrians from the border town Tell Khalakh have been fleeing a wave of violence over recent weeks to cross into neighboring Lebanon. But those seeking refuge now face an uncertain fate. Syrian territory lies only a few hundred meters from the Wadi Khaled area in Lebanon, home to 17 villages scattered close to …
Continue reading “Syrians Running Out of Refuge in Lebanon”
At least six Iraqis were killed and 18 more were wounded in a series of small attacks that including the assassination of a former Iraqiya candidate and a near miss at the home of another.
Amid a continuing crackdown against opposition forces, U.S. President Barack Obama is coming under growing pressure to impose tougher sanctions against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Two key lawmakers with close ties to the powerful "Israel Lobby" on Capitol Hill called Thursday for Obama to fully enforce existing sanctions, which would deny Damascus …
Continue reading “Obama Pressed to Take Stronger Action Against Assad”
As Europe headed toward the first world war, lining up rival blocs of states and massing armies on borders, the focus of their escalating rivalry was centered in the Balkans. Indeed, after the Great War, the word “balkanization” was coined to indicate a hopelessly divided region seething with sectarian and nationalist tensions, and the “Balkan …
Continue reading “Syrian Tinderbox”
As anti-government protests in Syria showed no sign of abating, the U.S. State Department Monday denied that it was seeking the regime’s ouster. “No, we are not working to undermine that government,” said spokesman Mark Toner in response to a front-page report in Monday’s Washington Post about secret U.S. financing of Syrian opposition groups, including …
Continue reading “US Denies It Is Trying to Undermine Assad” 
