Syria Conflict

Is Syria Obama's Rwanda?

Jean MacKenzie — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:56:39 +0000

BUZZARDS BAY, Mass. — What does President Barack Obama see when he looks at the Syrian disaster? Is it Afghanistan, where the effort to assist the anti-Soviet jihad in the 1980s ultimately gave strength and weapons to the Taliban? Perhaps he thinks of Iraq? Or is he afraid that history will condemn him for failure to protect civilians, as in Rwanda or Bosnia?

Hezbollah's military prowess gives boost to Syrian troops

Jeff Neumann — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:21:11 +0000

BEIRUT — Even as the Obama administration steps up lethal aid to Syria’s rebels, Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon say they are planning to assist the Syrian government in new military offensives to retake territory from the opposition.

Syrian civil war in June 2013

News Desk — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:04:42 +0000

The Syrian civil war has now stretched on for more than two years and killed a UN-estimated 93,000 people.

June was an active month as Syrian soldiers retook the city of Qusayr from the rebels, and the US determined that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces used chemical weapons, thereby crossing President Barack Obama's "red line" for intervention.

One part of this intervention may be supplying small arms to the rebels.

Moscow rebukes US over Syria chemical weapons report

Dan Peleschuk — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:08:53 +0000

MOSCOW, Russia — Senior Russian officials on Friday slammed US allegations that embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is using chemical weapons against armed rebel factions in the country’s devastating civil war.

Who will keep the peace in the Golan Heights?

Noga Tarnopolsky and News Desk — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 19:17:45 +0000

JERUSALEM — The United Nations is scrambling to find troops for its peacekeeping force at the Israeli-Syrian border in the Golan Heights after countries have withdrawn soldiers amid Syria's civil war.

Chatter: Syrian rebels claim Israeli border crossing

Jessica Phelan — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:12:26 +0000

Rebels take a key border crossing between Israel and Syria, Turkey's prime minister is due back home, North Korea makes nice with South Korea, and in Spain, dog poop sticks around even more than usual.

As Western choices narrow in Syria, one critical option remains: diplomacy

Mac Deford — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 10:37:13 +0000

Five weeks ago, the "game changer" in the Syrian civil war was the apparent use of chemical weapons by Syrian President Assad's government. Senator McCain, the most vociferous of the "must get involved in Syria" camp, was obviously delighted with the new ammunition to support his warmongering.

What's the big deal about Qusayr?

Priyanka Boghani and Tracey Shelton — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 15:50:00 +0000

The latest reports from Syrian media indicate that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces have recaptured the strategic town of Qusayr, which has been the epicenter of a raging battle between Syrian regime troops and Hezbollah fighters on one hand, and Syrian rebels on the other.

But what makes this town on the Syria-Lebanon border region so important?

Supply route and gateway

Chatter: US woman reported killed in Syria

Jessica Phelan — Fri, 31 May 2013 12:29:17 +0000

At least one Westerner is reported dead on the Syrian rebels' front line, the euro zone is more jobless than ever, Mount Everest is so crowded these days, and an Olympic-sized corruption scandal in Russia.

Chatter: Syria says it has Russian missiles

Jessica Phelan — Thu, 30 May 2013 11:13:00 +0000

The Syrian president claims Russia has begun shipping him anti-aircraft missiles, Iraqi cities are under attack, an escape from North Korea doesn't go to plan, and woolly mammoths rise from the dead. Sort of.

Which of Syria's neighbors has most to lose in the fight?

Jeff Neumann — Fri, 31 May 2013 10:01:00 +0000

BEIRUT — Much like downtown Beirut, the skyline in this city’s southern reaches, where the militant group Hezbollah is strong, is dotted with new apartment blocks built atop the ruins of past wars.

Syria: Women rebels' fight goes beyond front line

Tracey Shelton — Thu, 30 May 2013 10:02:00 +0000

ALEPPO — In a beauty salon-turned-rebel base, Kurdish female commander Angizek, wearing army fatigues and a long, uncovered ponytail, chastises two male members of an Islamist opposition group to Syria’s Bashar al Assad.

Analysis: Turkey edging closer to Syria war

Tracey Shelton — Wed, 29 May 2013 14:58:00 +0000

REYHANLI — With bombs in its cities, refugees on its borders, and Syrian rebels operating from its soil, Turkey is on the verge of entering a full-scale conflict with its war-wracked neighbor.

EU lifts arms embargo on Syrian rebels, extends sanctions on Assad's regime

Freya Petersen and Paul Ames — Tue, 28 May 2013 09:47:00 +0000

The European Union decided to lift its arms embargo on Syria's rebels, while the White House reportedly asked for plans for a no-fly zone in Syria.

Displaced again: Palestinian refugees flee Syria war for Lebanon

Rebecca Collard — Mon, 27 May 2013 10:03:47 +0000

WAVEL REFUGEE CAMP, Lebanon — Musa Ali Talusi was just 10 years old when he left his home in the Palestinian village of Lubiyeh for Syria, in the war that led to Israel’s creation in 1948. Last year, he was 76 when he fled the war in Syria.