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Iran attack on UK embassy: 5 high profile embassy breaches

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The Monitor's View: Looking for Obama's agenda in Syria

As killings in Syria worsen, more people look to Obama for action. But the mental preparation for action doesn't start with the White House.
Focus Which world hot spots will clamor for Obama's attention?

Obama is unequivocal about his intent to refocus on US domestic issues during his second term. But the world is not likely to cooperate. Here are seven foreign-policy challenges already bearing down on him.
Rise of euroskeptic party in Britain rubs off on Cameron

David Cameron has played up his Britain-over-Europe credentials in the past few days, including at the Tories' annual conference, to stave off the rising euroskeptic UK Independence Party.
New world requires new strategies

Democracy and digitalization make urgent demands. How, and how fast, can the US adjust?
US ambassador taps Facebook to drive wedge between Syrian military and Assad

Using social media, US Ambassador Robert Ford warns Syrian military officers they could be prosecuted for crimes against humanity by following President Bashar al-Assad’s orders.
Assad's actions in Syria spur US to consider intervening

The ongoing violence in Syria, despite the regime's lip service to the Annan peace plan, has pushed the Obama administration to weigh stronger steps.
US diplomats exit Syria: Can West prevent descent into more violence? (+video)

Western leaders call for a coalition to side with 'Syrian people' against Assad, and UN leader Ban says failed Security Council resolution gives Syria 'no license' to step up attacks on civilians.
Has Obama’s ‘let’s talk’ approach worked with US adversaries? A report card.

One of Obama's objectives entering the White House was to show that dialogue could be more effective than confrontation with US adversaries. From Iran to Burma, here's how it's going.
Opinion: Syria isn't Libya: Obama must consider bolder intervention

Before the calls come to commit US forces to an intervention in Syria, the Obama administration must take a hard look at what happened in Libya. The politically safe, low-risk, low-reward intervention in Libya shouldn’t be repeated in Syria.
Why Iran might be worried by Hillary Clinton's meeting with Syria exiles

The subject of the Geneva meeting between Hillary Clinton and Syria exiles was the transition to democracy. But the group's leader has been warning Iran a post-Assad Syria could be far less friendly.
As US Ambassador Ford returns, Syria deteriorates

US Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford is returning to Damascus, as the death toll surges and Syria lurches ever closer to civil war.
Iran attack on UK embassy: 5 high profile embassy breaches

When public opinion in other countries turns on the West, the ire is often poured on the most visible representative of the West overseas – foreign embassies. The best-known example of what happens when hostility reaches a breaking point is the Iranian hostage crisis of 1979, but numerous embassies have been stormed since then, including the Nov. 29 attack on the British Embassy in Tehran. Here are five high profile attacks:
The Monitor's View: The steady momentum to free Syria

Even other Arab dictators and Turkey are now fed up with Assad's brutality against protesters. The case for regime change builds as more Syrians stand bravely for freedom.
Ouster of Syria's Assad would be 'opportunity' for Israel (video)

Michael Oren, Israel's ambassador to the US, said Tuesday it will take more time to know how the democratic uprisings in Arab nations will affect relations with Israel. But 'possible ouster' of President Assad in Syria would afford 'an opportunity to us,' he said.
Diplomacy in Damascus continues without US Ambassador Ford

While US Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford has been brought back to Washington, Arab leaders and China are still trying to bring the government and the opposition to an agreement.
Syrian opposition forms unity council, hoping to continue Arab Spring

Creation of the Syrian opposition's unity council comes as the US is set to call for a UN resolution to consider further sanctions against Syria if it does not halt the crackdown that has left some 2,700 dead.
Syrian troops force insurgents to retreat from key town of Rastan

In a blow to dissidents, Syrian forces loyal to the regime of President Bashar al-Assad regained control of the central town of Rastan after military defectors and insurgents took over the city weeks ago.
Defecting Syria soldiers join ranks with protesters

Syria's uprising has taken a violent turn as soldiers have abandoned Bashar al-Assad's regime and joined antigovernment protesters.
The real question on Syria: Why no war crimes indictments yet?

Crackdowns on the scale of Syria's have prompted action by the International Criminal Court elsewhere. The ICC opened an investigation against Qaddafi just three weeks into Libya's uprising.
Why hasn't President Obama called for Syria's Assad to go?

As the death count rises in Syria, calls are mounting for President Obama to denounce Syria's President Bashar al-Assad. But Syria's pivotal role in the region and fragile ethnic and religious balance are complicating the situation.
Turkey risks Syria's friendship in last-ditch effort to end violence

Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoğlu is in Damascus today to warn Syria's President Assad against continuing his crackdown on the country's uprising.
Syria threatens to expel US ambassador

Syria has warned Ambassador Robert Ford not to leave Damascus. That complicates the new US strategy of strengthening the opposition so it can bring about democratic change.
US, international opinion turns sharply against Syria's Assad

Washington says its strong stand against Assad has been 'weeks in the making' and is not simply a response to attack the US embassy in Damascus.
US blames Syrian government for embassy attack in Damascus

In a sharp rebuke of the Assad regime, Secretary of State Clinton called the embassy attack a failed attempt to deflect attention from the brutal crackdown on protesters.
Can the US keep Ambassador Ford in Syria after attacks?

Probably for now. But The US has complained that the Syrian government was slow to protect the embassy from the stone-throwing supporters of Bashar al-Assad who invaded.