Topic: Arab Spring
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Where do things stand at Guantánamo? Six basic questions answered.
President Obama this week pledged to “reengage” with Congress to find a way to close the terror detention camp at the Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, naval base. The renewed focus comes as 100 of the 166 detainees are reported to be engaged in a hunger strike. Here is a brief look at where things stand now.
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Briefing
Chemical weapons 101: Six facts about sarin and Syria’s stockpile
President Obama said Assad's use of chemical weapons would be a 'red line' for US. Did he use sarin or any other chemical weapon against his own people?
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International Women's day: 3 challenges women face around the world
Issues such as violence, inequality at work, and traditional expectations confront women on every continent around the world. Here is a sampling of challenges women faced this year:
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When dictators fall, so do their banknotes
The following now defunct or possibly soon-to-be defunct banknotes are imbued with the symbols and iconography of their leaders, past and present.
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Beyond the 'fiscal cliff': 6 reasons to be optimistic about America's future
As Americans take stock of 2012 and gear up for 2013, it's tempting to adopt "decline think" about the country, especially since there is still no deal to avoid the "fiscal cliff" of steep budget cuts and tax increases. But here are six reasons Americans should still be optimistic about their future.
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Syria: rebels fight Palestinian pro-Assad group (+video)
When the revolt against Assad's rule began in March 2011, the half-million-strong Palestinian community in Syria stayed on the sidelines. But as the civil war deepened, many Palestinians have taken sides.
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Terrorism & Security NBC's Richard Engel released in Syria, a journalist danger zone (+video)
The Syrian conflict is making 2012 the deadliest year on record for journalists.
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Terrorism & Security Syria's VP calls for peaceful resolution to crisis – possibly without Assad
Mr. Sharaa says that both the regime and rebels will need to work together to resolve the conflict in Syria, since neither has exclusive rights to dictate the country's future.
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Syrian opposition forces say they are on brink of major victory in Aleppo
If Syrian rebels succeed in breaching an infantry school in Aleppo, they will gain some strategically critical pieces of territory, a windfall of supplies, and possibly a slew of regime defectors.
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Syria's rebels, US urge Moscow to help push Assad into ceding power
Both rebel leadership and the United States urged the Russian government to help push Syria's President Bashar al-Assad into ceding power and end the battles closing in around his capital.
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Syria's rebels, US urge Moscow to help push Assad into ceding power
Both rebel leadership and the United States urged the Russian government to help push Syria's President Bashar al-Assad into ceding power and end the battles closing in around his capital.
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US: Syria fires Scud missiles at rebels in 'desperate' military escalation
Speaking on condition of anonymity, two officials said forces of President Bashar Assad have fired the missiles from the Damascus area into northern Syria.
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Is Morsi a president for all Egyptians, or just Brothers? (+ video)
President Mohamed Morsi's reliance on Muslim Brotherhood activists to put down protests around the palace has further alienated some Egyptians from his rule.
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Russia: Assad is losing control of Syria
Russia is the Syrian government's most powerful international ally. Its declaration that President Bashar al-Assad is losing control of Syria is a major blow to the regime.
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For newly recognized Syrian rebel coalition, a first dispute with US (+video)
In Morocco, the 'Friends of Syria' recognized the new rebel coalition. But the day was marred by reports of Scud fire by the Assad regime and by a dispute with the US over designating a group as terrorist.
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Opposition pushes 'no' vote on Egyptian referendum as 'unity' talks postponed (+video)
Egypt's Army postponed 'unity' talks moments after the opposition coalition agreed to meet. The talks had raised hopes of an end to street protests and deadly violence.
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Terrorism & Security Will US recognition of Syrian opposition group open channels for weapons support? (+video)
The US has refused Syrian rebels weapons because of the presence of jihadi groups fighting there. Could recognition of the Syrian Opposition Coalition change this?
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Syrian opposition receives U.S. recognition
In an effort to isolate the Assad regime, U.S. President Barack Obama announced that the Syrian opposition coalition is now inclusive enough to warrant formal recognition as being representative of the Syrian people. This status could qualify the group for further U.S. assistance moving forward.
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Israeli envoy calls divisive settlement plan a politically necessary reprisal
Settlement plans east of Jerusalem – decried by the US and Europeans – were meant to punish Palestinians and satisfy domestic political pressure in Israel, Ambassador Michael Oren says.
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Family of journalist Austin Tice struggles with silence on kidnapping
Austin Tice was kidnapped near Damascus in August. His family went to Beirut recently in hopes of extending their reach into Syria and finding out more about who might be holding him.
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US draws line in Syria: aligns with moderate rebels, labels others terrorists
On the verge of formally recognizing a rebel coalition as representing the Syrian people, the US designated the al-Nusra Front as a terrorist organization that is an arm of Al Qaeda in Iraq.
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Vote no or boycott? Egypt opposition undecided as referendum looms (+video)
Anger over a draft constitution popular with Islamists has galvanized Egypt's opposition. But secular opponents of President Morsi still haven't decided what to do about Saturday's referendum.
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Jihadist-backed Syrian rebels seize military base (+video)
The base's capture comes just days after the US blacklisted the Jabhat al-Nusra militia, members of whom were involved in the operation, as a terrorist organization.
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Syrian chemical weapons threat not escalating, says Panetta (+video)
Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said that intelligence on Syria's alleged chemical-weapon activity has 'leveled off,' with no indications of new 'aggressive steps' toward deployment.
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Backchannels US designates Syria's Jabhat al-Nusra front a 'terrorist' group at lightning speed
The US State Department designated Syria's Jabhat al-Nusra, one of the militias fighting Bashar al-Assad, a foreign terrorist organization.
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Terrorism & Security Will Morsi's security request give Army renewed clout? (+video)
President Mohamed Morsi has asked the military, whose power he curtailed earlier this year, to help keep the peace as Egypt's Dec. 15 constitutional referendum nears.
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Egypt's opposition: Morsi is risking 'violent confrontation'
President Mohamed Morsi rescinded a decree that gave himself sweeping powers, but has not budged on a Dec. 15 date for a constitutional referendum that opponents want delayed.
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As Syria's rebels close in, Assad has three options
The most likely is a retreat into the mountains controlled by his minority Alawite community.
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Egypt's Morsi backs off decree, but fails to assuage protesters (+video)
President Mohamed Morsi held firm in rejecting what had been a key demand of the opposition: delaying a referendum scheduled for Saturday on a new constitution.
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The Monitor's View: How to avoid revenge killings in post-Assad Syria
The end appears near for the Assad regime in Syria. The opposition and world powers must do more to prevent the kind of post-conflict revenge – mainly against Alawites – that could ricochet in the Middle East.
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