Bill FrelickMarch 24, 2013 08:53

Fleeing Syria: Insights on Lebanon’s open border

Commentary: Lebanon needs financial aid to keep its refugee program from backsliding.

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A Syrian refugee child stands outside the shanty rented by her parents in a poor neighborhood of the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli on March 7, 2013. A significant number of Syrians have fled their country since deadly civil strife erupted just over two years ago, but now the focus has turned to financial aid as some of the refugee programs struggle to deal with the growing number of those displaced by the conflict. (Joseph Eid/AFP/Getty Images)

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WASHINGTON — Human rights advocates generally criticize governments for falling short and feel no need to credit them for acting the way they are supposed to. Having just returned from Lebanon, however, and seen its response to the Syrian refugee crisis, I will jettison my usual reticence.

Syrian civil war enters third year of conflict (PHOTOS)

News DeskMarch 15, 2013 18:01

Beginning exactly two years ago with a string of protests galvanized by the Arab Spring, the Syrian civil war has since claimed nearly 70,000 lives as rebels try to dislodge Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

Mac DefordMarch 15, 2013 06:58

What was Biden signaling in his pro-war comments on Iran to Israeli lobby?

Commentary: Is the vice president building his own hardline bona fides for 2016?

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US Vice President Joe Biden addresses the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's annual policy conference at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on March 4, 2013, in Washington, DC. Biden boldly confirmed the political, historical and military ties between the two countries and emphasized President Barack Obama's support for Israel, a country the president will visit later this month. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

this story is part of globalpost's continuing coverage of world business. for more visit our new business page.

OWL’S HEAD, MAINE — Next week will mark the 10th anniversary of the United States' invasion of Iraq, the low point of many in George W. Bush's failed presidency.

Fleeing Syria: Insights on Lebanon’s open border

Syrian civil war enters third year of conflict (PHOTOS)

What was Biden signaling in his pro-war comments on Iran to Israeli lobby?

Syria: What terrorism looks like

UNHCR predicts 700,000 Syrian refugees by 2013

Arab League to Assad: Renounce power and get safe passage out of Syria