Topic: Syria
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
-
3 new novels featuring risk-taking protagonists
In these three new releases, characters seize at chances for new experiences.
-
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?
-
Top 3 threats to the United States: the good and bad news
The annual Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community is out this week, a widely-anticipated report compiled by the nation’s intelligence agencies. Here is the good and bad news about the top three threats facing the United States, according to an unclassified version of the report.
-
Five energy challenges for Venezuela
With the passing of Hugo Chávez, the issue of what Venezuela chooses to do with its oil moves to center stage for the energy industry – and for environmentalists. Here are five energy challenges that Venezuela will have to face.
-
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.
All Content
-
Russian PM Medvedev says odds against Assad's political survival
In a CNN interview aired over the weekend, the former president and current prime minister commented on Syria, Sergei Magnitsky, and his office-swap with Vladimir Putin.
-
Russia's Vladimir Putin says West is fomenting jihadi 'blowback'
Moscow is criticized for weak support of the Arab Spring, and for actively backing Bashir al-Assad in Syria. But the Kremlin says its policies are consistent and the West is exporting revolt.
-
Opinion: North Korea threatens US – what about its own people?
As North Korea threatens the US, South Korea, and world peace with hints of a third nuclear test, what about its threat to its own people? It has one of the worst human rights records in the world. The UN must open a 'commission of inquiry' into crimes against humanity.
-
John Kerry: 'No one should mistake our resolve' on Iran's nuclear program
Sen. John Kerry appeared Thursday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which he still chairs, to discuss the foreign policy he would promote as the next secretary of State.
-
Syrian activists report 106 killed in raid on civilians, call for UN action
Activists say women and children were among the 106 people killed by forces who stormed an impoverished district on the edge of Homs, where a similar raid happened in 2011.
-
Memories of its own civil war dampen Lebanon's desire to help Syrian refugees
Lebanese fears about another civil war are stymieing assistance for the 200,000 mostly Sunni Syrians who have fled to Lebanon. Their arrival could destabilize the country's fragile balance.
-
France beefs up security in wake of Mali intervention
French soldiers are patrolling at some of the country's most recognizable tourist destinations and institutions, following weekend air strikes against Islamist rebels in the former French colony of Mali.
-
War crimes in Syria: Time to appeal to International Criminal Court?
Fifty-seven countries on Monday urged the UN Security Council to ask the International Criminal Court at The Hague to investigate possible war crimes in Syria. The call comes as other groups report a spike in sexual violence in Syria.
-
Report: Rape a 'major reason' refugees flee Syria
The International Rescue Committee said in a report released today that Syria is facing a 'staggering humanitarian crisis.' More than 600,000 Syrians have fled the country.
-
Syrian troops take back key Damascus suburb, Daraya
The day after rebel forces took a key air base in northwest Syria, the Syrian army announced their control of Daraya, a suburb of Damascus. Each side seems to be alternatively making advances and losing ground, with little progress overall in the Syrian conflict.
-
Turkey, Kurds disagree over who was behind Paris killings
Kurdish rebels are pointing fingers at Turkish nationalists, but Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan said the killing of three Kurds in Paris yesterday was likely a result of internal feuding.
-
Terrorism & Security Fate of Syria's Assad complicates international peace efforts
UN envoy Brahimi implied President Assad might not have a role in a future government, while Russia says only Syrians can make that call. Meanwhile, rebels said they took control of a key military base.
-
Three women 'executed' as 'dark forces' at work in Paris, says Kurdish official (+video)
Three women 'executed': No clear suspects after three Kurdish female political figures were assassinated in Paris early Thursday. Kurdish leaders say the attack on three women is an effort to block moves toward peace.
-
Terrorism & Security Kurdish leader's murder in Paris threatens tentative Turkish-PKK peace deal
The killings of PKK founder Sakine Cansiz and two others could be an attempt to derail negotiations between Ankara and the PKK to peacefully end the militant group's separatist campaign.
-
Interest in Jordan's parliamentary elections goes up in smoke
In an attempt to placate voters angry about fuel price hikes, Jordan has lowered cigarette prices. But the two moves have overshadowed the key thing: voting in upcoming elections.
-
The Monitor's View: Cry for food in Syria may be opening for peace
The UN warns it cannot feed some 1 million displaced Syrians, many in war zones with few bread supplies. A global response to this humanitarian crisis might help diffuse differences over political solutions.
-
Syria swaps over 2,000 prisoners for Iranians held by rebels, Turkish NGO says
Over 40 Iranian hostages held since last summer by a Syrian rebel group were released Wednesday in exchange for civilian prisoners held by the Syrian government.
-
Focus Cyberwar: Who's been attacked? Who are attackers?
The US is often a target of cyberattacks, but its government is also known to be an attacker. The Pentagon's Plan X, moreover, will bolster US capabilities to wage cyberwar.
-
Benghazi investigation falters amid fear of militant reprisals
A four-month investigation is reportedly turning up links between Al Qaeda groups and the Sept. 11 attacks on the US diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya. But as Libyan investigators fall prey to harm, concerns rise that the probe may be derailed.
-
UN estimate of Syria death toll highlights discrepancies in casualty reporting
The 60,000 deaths in Syria reported by the United Nations last week is a big jump from the 40,000- 45,000 deaths that most other organizations report.
-
Opinion: To deter extremists in Syria, Obama must heed lessons of Kosovo intervention
As President Obama watches Islamic extremists gain power in the chaos of the Syrian uprising against the Bashar al-Assad regime, he should consider the precedent of the US intervention in Kosovo – where extremists have been kept at bay and democracy is growing.
-
Terrorism & Security Assad speech dismissed by opposition and allies
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad made a rare public speech yesterday that, outside the regime, is seen as offering nothing more than many more months of violence.
-
Turkey sees promise in pivoting north
With its attempts to join the EU stalled and its leadership role in the Middle East marred by Syria's conflict, Turkey is turning its attention to a less tumultuous border – the Black Sea.
-
Backchannels Takeaway from Assad's speech? There will be no meaningful dialogue. (+video)
President Bashar al-Assad's first speech in months dashed any hopes that a negotiated settlement to the Syrian civil war was soon possible.
-
Another Syria blast kills 11, state media reports
Syrian officials blamed 'terrorists' for a Damascus gas station explosion that left 11 dead and 40 injured.
Previous
Become part of the Monitor community