Topic: Bashar Assad
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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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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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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.
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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.
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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.
All Content
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Opinion: Syria's quagmire points to eventual foreign intervention
The most realistic scenario in Syria is quagmire: Assad still has loyalty; the opposition is splintered, though protests continue; and the international community is indecisive, including the Arab League. But stalemate could finally prompt foreign intervention and a needed 'safe zone.'
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Opinion: The perfect storm: Three ways to thwart Iran's nuclear ambitions – short of war
Partly by design and partly by happenstance, a three-pronged US strategy for checking Iran's nuclear program and the regime in Tehran is emerging: an unprecedented combination of sanctions, covert action, and a Syria-inspired protest movement within Iran.
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Terrorism & Security Russia pressures Syria to extend Arab League observer mission
The Arab League observer mission to Syria officially ends tomorrow. Many have dismissed it as ineffective, but it may be the only alternative to UN action, which Russia has blocked.
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Syria ready to let monitors stay, rebel commander calls for help from UN
Damascus opposes broadening the scope of the Arab League observer mission, the source at the League said, but would accept a one-month extension of its mandate which expires on Thursday.
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Is Al Qaeda actually involved in the Syria uprising?
Embattled President Bashar al-Assad is blaming Al Qaeda and its affiliates for a spate of suicide bombings around Syria's capital, but analysts are skeptical.
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Terrorism & Security Arab troops to Syria? Qatar makes a bold proposal.
On 60 Minutes, the country's leader has said Arab troops should be sent to Syria to stop the regime’s bloody attacks on dissidents that have killed thousands of people.
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Obama's Iran policy shifted from outreach to pressure and sanctions
Obama intended to go the extra mile on engagement, his aides said, so if the gambit failed, allies and adversaries alike could not point the finger at the United States as the 'bad guy.' Instead, they would rally behind the effort to pressure Iran.
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Opinion: Free Syrian Army commander: 'I'll name my son Juppé if West intervenes'
French foreign minister Alain Juppé has called for humanitarian intervention in Syria, but world leaders hesitate. As the price of inaction rises, they need a clear strategy for hastening change. My experience with a Free Syrian Army commander shows that the rebel force will play a crucial role.
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Syria violence accelerates, UN responds with go-slow approach
A UN official says the Syrian government has ramped up attacks on protesters since Arab League monitors arrived. But the UN Security Council will wait at least a week to consider action.
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Terrorism & Security Syria's Assad, in rare speech, claims victory is nigh (+video)
President Assad once again blamed the 10-month uprising on foreign conspirators and armed gangs. But this time, Arab League monitors in Syria may contradict his version of events.
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The Monitor's View: Arab Spring justice – but a free pass for Yemen's Saleh
Under a plan backed by Obama and Saudi Arabia, Yemen's interim cabinet agreed Sunday to amnesty for President Ali Abdullah Saleh in return for him stepping down. But democracy can't take root without rule of law.
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As Syria unravels, prices soar for guns, grenades, and RPGs
The cost of an AK-47 has nearly doubled, from $1,200 to $2,100, since the Syrian uprising began in March. The armed opposition says weapons are necessary to hasten the fall of Assad's regime.
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Terrorism & Security Syria on edge as monitors prepare to give initial report
The Arab League monitors will make their report on Syria today as critics worry the mission is not credible.
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Backchannels In Syria, peaceful protests – but also signs of growing violence (+videos)
The battle for Syria is getting messier. Today, large crowds turned out to call for the fall of Assad's regime. But a Damascus blast killed at least 25 – a sign of how complex the uprising may become.
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Syria releases over 500 detainees, according to state media
Syrian authorities have set free 552 prisoners, detained during the recent anti-government uprisings, Syria's state television reported Thursday.
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Arab League signals mounting frustration with Syria
The Arab League will hold an emergency meeting Saturday to decide whether to pull its monitors from Syria amid continued violence. If the Arab League recalls its monitors, international pressure on Syria would mount.
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The Monitor's View: The Syrian protesters' cry for help
Arab nations and the West are closer to acting against the Assad regime – perhaps even militarily – to end the slaughter of pro-democracy protesters. The consequences of inaction are becoming worse than action.
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Terrorism & Security Syria pipeline explodes as Arab League mission limps on
The government blamed a Syria pipeline explosion today on 'terrorists.' Meanwhile, concerns mount that the Arab League mission to Syria won't stop the fighting.
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Backchannels Middle East in 2012? Egypt and Iran and Syria and... oh, my.
Last year was momentous, but the region may just be getting warmed up.
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Rebels seize two military checkpoints in Syria
Syrian rebels captured dozens of Army soldiers at two checkpoints. Arab League monitors are assessing Syria's compliance with a peace plan.
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2011 Reflections: Suddenly, a new era in the Middle East
Seven Monitor correspondents reflect on the world's hot spots. In this installment, Dan Murphy says that if you'd told him in 2008 that Mubarak would be gone today, he'd have laughed out loud.
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The Arab League observer mission in Syria is likely to fail
Massacres have continued in Syria over the past few days, validating concerns that the Arab League observers wouldn't restrain a regime determined to use violence to hang on to power.
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North Korea not the only offender: 6 official photo fudgings
As state manipulators of the media go, few can compare to North Korea, which this week is mourning the death of Kim Jong-il. But even with all the careful orchestration of the ceremonies, the North Korean media still found it necessary to doctor an official photograph of the funeral procession. Just as governments are finding it easier to use technology to manipulate images, so too is the public finding it easier to spot such digital trickery. Here are six noteworthy attempts by governments to shape media coverage through image manipulation.
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Is model Turkey sliding into authoritarianism?
The trial of prize-winning Turkish journalist Nedim Sener resumed today. His case, along with many others, are raising concerns about Turkey and its model democracy in the Middle East.
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As Christmas arrives, crisis for Mideast Christians
While Christians in Iraq have long faced the threat of growing Islamism and violence, now Christians in Egypt – and Syria – are facing new pressures as a year of dramatic change wraps up.
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