The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday issued a “presidential statement,” one step below a resolution, chiding the Syrian government for its violent repression of protests (but also condemning violence by the protesters, which is a little like complaining that Jack the Ripper’s victims tried to scratch him with their fingernails). The statement was hailed […]
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Syria
Syrian Massacre in Hama Sparks More EU Sanctions
Syria’s concerted military intervention against peacefully protesting crowds at the beginning of the fasting month of Ramadan has resulted in dozens of deaths, especially in the city of Hama, with about 100 dead in the past two days. The European Union responded to this provocation by upping sanctions against Damascus. During Ramadan, devout Muslims refrain […]
Top Developments in the Arab Spring this Weekend
As usual, Friday was a big day for the popular Arab reform movements that are challenging dictatorial governments. 1. Syrian security forces are alleged to have killed about 20 protesters on Friday, as the demonstrations and rallies continue to be vigorous in places like Hama and Deir al-Zor. The one-party state, ruled by the Baath […]
Syrian Gov’t Besieges Homs Ahead of Friday Demonstrations
AP reports that most people were trapped in their homes as gunfire crackled in the background in Homs, Syria, the country’s third-largest city on Thursday. Government troops have the dissident city under siege. Aljazeera English reports on the crackdown on Homs. Elsewhere in the country on Thursday, people in towns and cities held a general […]
Top Self-Defeating Moves in the Middle East
One of the great mysteries in Hollywood is how bad films get made. After all, no one sets out to make a bad film. And most major films are made by professionals with a proven track record, backed by savvy investors. But occasionally these film professionals make an “Ishtar” or a “Town & Country.” Not […]
Syrian Opposition Congress in Istanbul Demands al-Asad Step Down
Over 350 Syrian expatriate opposition leaders, from a wide range of political currents, including liberal and Muslim fundamentalist, met in Istanbul Saturday. They had originally intended to meet at the same time as dissidents still in Damascus convened their own meeting, but the site of that planned congress was attacked Friday by the Syrian military. […]
Clinton: al-Asad has lost Legitimacy after Mobs Storm US, French Embassies
The mob attacks on the US and French embassies by ‘pro-regime elements’ in Damascus on Monday provoked a heated response from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who said that President Bashar al-Asad had now “lost legitimacy” by neglecting to live up to his obligations in international law to protect foreign diplomats. She warned him that […]
Today’s Top 5 Crises in the 2011 Arab Revolutions
1. The protest movement in Egypt, which started up in earnest again last Friday, is expanding. Thousands were camped out in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo throughout the weekend, and people streamed there Sunday evening. The crowds closed the Mugamma` administrative building. They are demanding a cleaner break with the old regime, trials for security […]
Syrian Tanks enter Hama
Syrian tanks entered the outskirts of Hama on Monday morning, killing 3 as they cracked down on the protests that have wracked this city in recent days. The large protests in this small city caused dictator Bashar al-Asad to dismiss the governor. Update: Syrian forces have sealed off Hama, blocking roads into the city. During […]