Syrian regime forces battled armed rebels in Damascus for the second day running on Monday, in the clearest sign yet of the 16-month old conflict’s tightening grip on the capital. Residents said plumes of smoke rose over the city as… Read More ›
Syria
Free Syrian Army: No opposition talks if intervention is not discussed
Members of the radical Syrian opposition have boycotted a meeting in Cairo, where some 250 delegates are discussing an internationally backed transition plan. The armed rebels branded it a conspiracy and said the agenda lacked an aggressive stance. The rebel… Read More ›
Why Washington and Moscow want a backroom deal over Syria
The scene is set for a Clinton-Lavrov meeting that could still ring the death knell for the Assad regime Months of futile diplomatic tussling, UN deadlock and finger-pointing over Syria have boiled down to a dramatic, last-ditch effort this weekend… Read More ›
Is Turkey moving toward ‘hard power’ over Syria?
The downing of a Turkish jet over the Mediterranean last Friday by a Syrian missile took Turkish-Syrian tensions to a new level. Though the Turkish government did not declare war as some expected, and others feared, it did declare Syria… Read More ›
Syrian rebels aim to use chemical weapons, blame Damascus – report
The armed Syrian opposition has got their hands on chemical weapons, which they acquired from Libya, a media report claims. They allegedly plan to use it against civilians and pin the atrocity on the Bashar al-Assad regime. The report by… Read More ›
Israeli: Syrian rebels want peace with Israel
An Israeli lawmaker says Syrian opposition leaders have told him they want peace with Israel after Syrian President Bashar Assad falls. Israel and Syria are bitter enemies. They have fought several major wars, and Syria backs violent anti-Israel groups. Isaac… Read More ›
US Military Draws Up Invasion Plans for Syria
BEIRUT: Detailed plans developed to carry out military action against Syria have been drawn up by the Pentagon and could be implemented upon orders by President Barack Obama, CNN, quoting a senior U.S. official, has reported. The crucial progress in… Read More ›
Syria isn’t the ‘new Bosnia’, despite the narcissistic hopes of the Western commentariat
By Brendan O’Neill Oh no, this is not good, this is not good at all: more and more Western observers are starting to describe Syria as “the new Bosnia”. Which can mean only one thing. The liberal commentariat is on… Read More ›
Chemical Weapons and Iranian Invasions: Syria Hysteria Turns to Wild Rumors
State Dept Claims Assad Allies Planning ‘Exit Strategy’ by Jason Ditz, February 10, 2012 In past examples (notably Iraq) the clearest indication of a forthcoming war have been when the reports on the ground turned from exaggerations to hysteria to… Read More ›
Sanctioning Syria
Who is the Real Loser? by ELIAS AKLEH Economic sanctions are arrogant open acts of war against other nations. Their goal is to devastate the lower and middle classes and to weaken the country. The regime of the imposing country… Read More ›
Libya’s New Regime May Attack Syria
At Istanbul Meeting, NTC Suggests Arming Opposition, Sending Fighters to Syria by Jason Ditz According to officials familiar with the situation, a meeting between Libya’s new regime, the NATO-backed National Transitional Council (NTC) and members of the Syrian National Council… Read More ›
The Red Phoenix 