Topic: Bashar Assad
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
-
Not just sexy Kim Jong-un: 5 times the Onion has fooled foreign media
When the People's Daily, the Chinese Communist Party's official newspaper, took as straight news The Onion's declaration that stout North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un was 2012's "Sexiest Man Alive," it became the biggest foreign media outlet to be fooled by the satirical American newspaper. But it is not the first. Here are several other foreign news sites that took Onion fiction as newsworthy fact.
-
War with Iran? 5 ways events overseas could shape Obama's second term.
The threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program is the most urgent example of the foreign-policy challenges that face President Obama in his second term. Here are four others.
-
In key Syrian city, snipers and bombing tear at fabric of daily life
As rebels and the Syrian government battle for control of Aleppo, residents tap caution – and dark humor – to survive.
-
5 national security issues next president must tackle
President Obama and Mitt Romney battle over foreign policy issues in the third and final presidential debate. No matter who wins the presidential election November 6, Mr. Romney or Mr. Obama will have to confront five urgent national security issues in the first weeks of his term.
-
Foreign affairs: 23 new books I wish Obama and Romney would read
In preparation for the upcoming presidential debate on foreign policy, check out these 23 books that offer the kind of nuance and context mostly overlooked during a campaign.
All Content
-
The Monitor's View: Are Americans ready to deal with Syria's chemical weapons?
On Monday, Obama strongly warned Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad not to use chemical weapons as rebels advance on Damascus. What is the national interest in threatening US action? Obama must sort out the moral purpose.
-
Syria: first state with WMDs to topple? (+video)
Never before has a country with Weapons of Mass Destruction been on the verge of collapse, says an arms control expert who argues for regional coordination to prevent a catastrophe.
-
Syrian rebels riding momentum to Damascus
The fighting follows a number of gains for opposition forces in the north of Syria, which has sparked optimism among Syrians hoping for the downfall of the Assad regime.
-
NATO to deploy Patriot anti-missile systems near Turkey-Syria border
The alliance's 28 members decided to limit use of Patriots solely for the defensive purpose of warding off the mortar rounds and shells from Syria that have already killed five Turks.
-
Opinion: Threat of chemical warfare in Syria means it's time for US, NATO no-fly zone
The threat that Bashar al-Assad may use chemical weapons against opposition forces in Syria means it is time for President Obama and America's NATO allies to intervene and establish a no-fly zone. That's a far better option than directly arming the divided rebel forces.
-
Mortar slams into Syrian school, killing 29 students
While concerns over the potential use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government increase, a conventional weapon does lethal damage in a Damascus suburb.
-
How will the US deal with Syrian use of WMDs? (+video)
President Barack Obama, in a speech at the National Defense University on Monday, pointedly warned Syrian President Bashar Assad not to use his arsenal.
-
U.N. pulls staff from Damascus, as fighting in Syria escalates (+video)
Over the past few weeks the fighting in the Syrian capital of Damascus has steadily grown worse as the rebels continue their assaults on the government-held city.
-
Obama administration promises Syrian use of chemical weapons a 'red line' for US, will prompt action
Syria is believed to have several hundred ballistic surface-to-surface missiles capable of carrying chemicalwarheads.
-
Rebel gains in Syria embolden Lebanese Sunnis
Sunnis in Lebanon are growing more outspoken about the most powerful faction in their country, the Shiite movement Hezbollah.
-
Terrorism & Security
Is Syria's Assad running short of helicopters and cash?ProPublica reports that Syria asked Iraq to allow helicopter shipment overflights from Russia, just days after other documents revealed Russia sent Syrian currency to Damascus.
-
Syrian rebels cut off Damascus airport in critical step (+video)
The Syrian rebels cut off the main road to the Damascus airport today. The fighting forced the closure of the airport and makes a rebel assault on the capital more likely.
-
Syria: Internet shut down by government
Syria's Internet shutdown is unprecedented in the conflict, though Damascus has partially cut off access several times over the past 20 months.
-
Not just sexy Kim Jong-un: 5 times the Onion has fooled foreign media
When the People's Daily, the Chinese Communist Party's official newspaper, took as straight news The Onion's declaration that stout North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un was 2012's "Sexiest Man Alive," it became the biggest foreign media outlet to be fooled by the satirical American newspaper. But it is not the first. Here are several other foreign news sites that took Onion fiction as newsworthy fact.
-
Race is on to find rebel prime minister for Syria
A transitional government is crucial to win Arab and Western support for the revolt against Assad, and would bolster the opposition as a democratic alternative to decades of autocratic rule in Syria.
-
Terrorism & Security
Syria's stalemated conflict picks up speed againSyrian rebels say they never expected the war with the regime to last this long. A string of strategically important victories may move the conflict along again.
-
Planeloads of Syrian currency exposed, but does the Kremlin care?
A new report reveals that Russia printed and shipped eight planeloads of Syrian currency to Damascus over the summer, providing a critical lifeline to the Assad regime.
-
Syrian rebels forced to police their own as crime tarnishes reputation
With opposition Free Syrian Army fighters increasingly accused of looting and other criminal behavior, the rebels have launched Revolutionary Security to keep them in check.
-
Did Syria drop cluster bombs on a playground near Damascus?
Syrian jets hit a playground outside of Damascus with cluster bombs, killing 10 children, according to Syrian opposition activists. A video purports to show the carnage. Syria denies that it uses cluster bombs.
-
Stalemate in Syria? Army short on loyalists, rebels short on guns
The regime of Bashar al-Assad appears to be favoring long-range weapons out of fear that soldiers close to the front lines will defect.
-
Gaza cease-fire: Clinton role shows US still dominant in tough neighborhood (+video)
After two days of shuttle diplomacy, Hillary Clinton and Egypt's foreign minister announced a cease-fire agreement between Hamas and Israel. Despite its weakened influence in the Middle East, the US is still the dominant diplomatic force.
-
Syrian rebels put choke hold on government supply lines
The Free Syrian Army has captured several critical areas from the government this week, curtailing delivery of supplies to those they are battling for control of Aleppo.
-
As Hamas confronts Israel, its Arab support swells
The last time Israel went to war with Gaza, it didn't have to worry about regional diplomatic fallout. The Arab uprisings have changed that calculus.
-
Opinion: Israel should rethink its strategy against Hamas in Gaza
Israel has dealt with Hamas through a policy of isolation and military containment. The recent escalation of violence in Gaza calls for a reconsideration of this strategy. Israel’s military response only offers a temporary palliative against a broader, inherently political problem.
-
Where Syria's opposition groups get their rockets (+video)
With few weapons flowing to the rebels fighting the Syrian regime, homemade rockets, mortars, and hand grenades have become increasingly used in the fight.
Previous
Become part of the Monitor community