Topic: Syrian Arab Army
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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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Briefing
Syria conflict: 5 warring factions
Syria is at the nexus of some of the Middle East's most central problems, meaning that fallout from its uprising is likely to ripple, in unpredictable ways, through the region. Here's a brief guide to the actors in the conflict.
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Syria 101: 4 attributes of Assad's authoritarian regime
How have authoritarian regimes remained in control so long in the Middle East? In Syria's case, a critical factor is the concentration of power in a single family, political party, and religious sect.
All Content
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Terrorism & Security
Any end in sight? Syrian conflict enters third calendar year (+video)Many believed 2012 would be Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's last year in power, but at the outset of 2013 the conflict appears locked in a stalemate with alarming fatality rates.
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Terrorism & Security
UN envoy tries to revive Syria peace planThe plan from UN special envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, is unlikely to gain traction without more concessions to the Syrian opposition.
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Terrorism & Security
Syria fires more Scud missiles as refugee projections climbNATO condemned Syria for firing Scud-type missiles yesterday, which Syria denies doing. The UN says the violence could result in as many as 1 million refugees over the next six months.
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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.
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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.
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Backchannels
Syria's Jabhat al-Nusra militia looks pretty seriousSome eye-catching video shows a disciplined jihadi militia on the move in eastern Syria after ransacking a regime artillery base.
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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.
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Syrian rebels struggle to keep regime Air Force on the ground (+video)
Aware that options for combating the Syrian Air Force are limited once jets and helicopters are in the air, rebels are trying to take over air bases and destroy aircraft before they get off the ground.
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Against the odds, Syrian rebels begin to chip away at regime's air advantage
Even without the anti-aircraft weapons, the Syrian rebels have managed to deal some blows to the regime's air force, using heavy machine guns and careful planning.
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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.
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For Syrian rebels, a relentless game of cat-and-mouse
The Free Syrian Army attacks regime positions on Syria's southern border, but only holds them long enough to rush supplies and fighters in from Lebanon. Such tactics won't break a grim stalemate.
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Can Syria's opposition groups figure out how to pull together? (+video)
At a gathering in Qatar, Syria's opposition groups have been trying to overcome disarray in their ranks – and lay the foundation for eventual post-dictator leadership.
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In Aleppo, Syria cease-fire was short-lived
Syrian rebels made advances in Aleppo last night. This morning, as the UN-brokered cease-fire went into effect, the Syrian Army retaliated.
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Terrorism & Security
Holiday cease-fire in Syria pocked with bulletsTwo previous cease-fire attempts failed, and both the Syrian Army and rebels have hedged their commitment to this one.
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Beirut bombing kills anti-Assad official, bringing Syrian war to Lebanon
Gen. Wissam al-Hassan's assassination in today's bombing is the most significant political killing in Lebanon since that of the former prime minister in 2005.
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Terrorism & Security
Cease-fire in Syria? Support from Iran and Turkey boosts UN envoy's bidIran and Turkey back opposite sides in the Syria conflict, but the two powers are united in support for UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi's proposal for a cease-fire later this month.
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In Syria's war, long-repressed minority finds new freedom
Keen to secure loyalty, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has granted Syria's Kurds de facto control over predominantly Kurdish areas of the country. But with the freedom, divisions have emerged.
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Accusations mount of Hezbollah fighting in Syria
If hard evidence emerges of the Shiite militant group's involvement, it would increase tensions in Lebanon where armed partisans on opposite sides live in close proximity.
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Terrorism & Security
Turkey at odds with Moscow after grounding Russia-Syria flightTurkey, already on the brink of a conflict with Syria, may now be facing tensions with Moscow after grounding a flight from Russia on suspicion that it was carrying weapons for the Syrian regime
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Mitt Romney wants to arm Syrian rebels: What are the risks?
Extremist elements, some affiliated with Al Qaeda, appear to be playing a growing role in the fight against the Assad regime, posing a challenge to proposals, such as Romney's, to arm the Syrian rebels.
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NATO vows to back Turkey in Syria clashes. Is a broader war likely?
For the sixth consecutive day, Turkey and Syria have exchanged artillery fire. Neither wants to see the Syrian conflict turn into a regional war, analysts say, but other factors point to rising tensions.
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Hillary Clinton: Iran will do 'whatever it takes' to prop up Syrian 'crony'
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Friday that the US would send another $45 million in aid to Syrian rebels. But that pales in comparison to what Iran is doing to save President Assad.
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Terrorism & Security
With double bombing in Damascus, is Syria's frontline moving to the capital? (+video)Battles around Damascus have important implications for Syria's conflict, but Aleppo is likely to remain the central focus until either the rebels or government forces can sustain the upper hand.
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Terrorism & Security
Twin bombings shake Syrian capital as UN debates how to end the fighting (+video)Rebels said the explosions, felt throughout Damascus, hit Syria's military headquarters and caused dozens of casualties. But a regime spokesman claimed there was only 'material damage.'
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Is Lebanon becoming Syria's Western front?
With Syrian rebels sheltering in Lebanese border towns and Syrian Army troops planting land mines on both sides of the border, Lebanese fears of getting dragged into the conflict are rising.
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