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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.
Five reasons why Syria may be at a tipping point

Since the start of the conflict in Syria, international observers have been watching the government of President Bashar al-Assad for signs that the once-feared regime might be vulnerable to overthrow. Despite Syrian efforts to crush the rebels and to stifle news out of the country, this past week has shown the strongest evidence yet that the end of the Assad regime may be near. Here are five signs that the Syrian conflict may finally be tipping in favor of the rebels.

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Syria chemical weapons: Where did they come from? (+video)

The roots of Syria's chemical weapons program lie decades in the past, perhaps back to the 1970s. Other countries were early suppliers. What's uncertain now is if Syria can make its own chemical weapons.
Syrian army launches counteroffensive, calls on rebels to lay down arms

The Syrian army targeted rebels with heavy airstrikes in at least seven cities and regions Sunday, killing at least 20 people. The government also called on rebel fighters to surrender their weapons.
Syrian regime battles rebels for control of highway to its safe haven

Lebanon appears closer than ever to getting dragged into Syria's war as the regime and rebels battle just over the border and Hezbollah's growing involvement raises rebel ire.
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.
Amid bloodshed and chaos, Syrian wages a war for neutral reporting

Rami Jarrah, a Syrian anti-regime activist now living in Cairo, is launching Syria's first non-state-run news outlet to provide something he sees as sorely missing: objective reporting.
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.
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.
How will Syria mark Eid al-Adha? (+video)

In recognition of the Muslim holiday, a ceasefire is planned in Syria beginning Friday and running through Monday. UN aid agencies are hoping to use the window to provide aid to Syrians living in hard-to-reach parts of the country.
A truce in Syria? Peace envoy calls for ceasefire during Eid. (+video)

International peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is asking Syria's closest regional ally, Iran, to help arrange a pause in the fighting in Syria during the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha.
Report: Syria using widely-banned cluster bombs

A Human Rights Watch report points to new evidence that the Syrian regime is using the widely-banned munitions, which pose a significant risk to civilians long into the future.
Obama warns Syria of 'enormous consequences' (+video)

U.S. President Barack Obama threatened Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against using or moving weapons of mass destruction. Obama said the U.S. is preparing a 'range of contingency plans' should Assad ignore his warning.
Aleppo short on weapons, medical supplies as Syria's next big battle looms

The expected Syrian government offensive hasn't begun in earnest, but Aleppo's rebel-held neighborhoods are being pounded by shelling and gunfire and clinics are filling up with wounded.
Syria: The number of displaced civilians grows (+video)

A particularly violent phase of the Syrian conflict has been ongoing for the past ten days. Meanwhile, the international community pressures the Assad regime to avoid the use of chemical weapons.
Will Syria use chemical weapons against foreigners?

The past week of fighting in Syria has escalated international pressure on President Bashar al-Assad. Syrian officials now say they won't use their biological and chemical weapons 'unless Syria faces external aggression.'
Five reasons why Syria may be at a tipping point

Since the start of the conflict in Syria, international observers have been watching the government of President Bashar al-Assad for signs that the once-feared regime might be vulnerable to overthrow. Despite Syrian efforts to crush the rebels and to stifle news out of the country, this past week has shown the strongest evidence yet that the end of the Assad regime may be near. Here are five signs that the Syrian conflict may finally be tipping in favor of the rebels.
Where's Assad? As grip on Syria weakens, his whereabouts come into question

In the days since key military advisers of Syria's President Assad were assassinated in Damascus, reports have him in the Alawite-dominated coastal region, where he is more secure.
Syria's chemical weapons: How secure are they?

Syria has been amassing chemical weapons since the 1980s and is believed to have a larger stockpile than any other country that has faced ethnic civil war.
Syria insists downed Turkish plane was 'not an attack'

This week NATO leaders will decide how to respond to Syria's downing of a Turkish jet, which Turkey argues was in international airspace.
Syrian downing of Turkish plane: a hostile act? (+video)

Syria brought down a Turkish plane with two pilots aboard. Questions remain about the incident and the Turkish response. Leaders say, "Turkey cannot endure it in silence."
UN Monitors find stench of death in Syrian town

The monitors were only just able to get to the town of Haffa after a week of attempts.
Peacekeepers attacked in Syria as U.S. accuses Russia of supporting regime

The country spiraled closer to civil war as UN forces came under fire; meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asserted that Russia was arming the Syrian regime with helicopters.
Syrian forces shell Homs neighborhood, activists say. Troop assault next?

A rebel-held neighborhood in the Syrian city of Homs was shelled Friday by Syrian troops, according to activists. Also, UN monitors entered the Syrian village where reports of a new massacre have surfaced this week.
Syrian bombings kill nine, injure 100 more in Idlib

A pair of deadly explosions rocked the northern Syrian city, damaging state security buildings.
Terrorism & Security Observer mission in Syria begins to unravel, pushing forward UN option

As the Arab League observer mission in Syria teeters amid accusations from members it is a farce, pressure may build for Syria to be referred to the UN Security Council.
Why Royal Dutch Shell oil is pulling out of Syria

Royal Dutch Shell said Friday that it will shut down all oil operations in Syria. On Friday, Syrian troops fired at anti-Assad demonstrators near Homs, Syria.