Syria

By Amelia Smith @amyinthedesert | (Middle East Monitor) | – – In the aftermath of the chemical weapons assault that suffocated to death over 80 men, women and children in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta, this weekend British Prime Minister Theresa May issued a stern warning to the highest levels of the Syrian government: […]

Syria

Bombed and gassed into oblivion: The lost oasis of Damascus

contributors

By Karen Pinto | (The Conversation) | – – Dozens of people, including children, were killed this past weekend by an alleged chemical weapons attack in the eastern Ghouta city of Douma. The attack is the latest reminder that Ghouta, the one-time oasis of Damascus, is being destroyed. Every day brings with it news of […]

Corruption

Will Trump divert attention from Cohen Raid by attacking Syria?

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Matt Apuzzo of the New York Times reports that FBI agents produced a warrant at the offices in the Rockefeller Center of Trump’s personal attorney, Michael Cohen, that allowed them to gain access and to spend hours going through and confiscating documents and equipment. Trump lambasted […]

Chemical Weapons

If the world doesn’t stop Chemical Massacres at Syria, who is Next?

contributors

By Michelle Bentley | (The Conversation) | – – Seven years into its catastrophic conflict, Syria has witnessed yet another major chemical strike. This time the target was the rebel-held city of Douma in Eastern Ghouta, just outside Damascus. The death toll currently stands at around 70 – making the attack as deadly as the […]

Featured

Trump on Syria Chem Attack: Putin responsible for supporting “Animal Assad”

contributors

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – On Sunday, Trump responded to the use by the Syrian regime of a chlorine-filled barrel bomb in the rebel enclave of Douma, a district of East Ghouta. Since Trump had launched 59 Tomahawk missiles on the Shuayrat Air Base last year this time after regime use […]

Syria

Russia says Syrian rebels to be brought out of Douma

contributors

Middle East Monitor | – – Russia’s military said an operation would begin on Sunday to bring fighters of the Jaish al-Islam rebel group out of their besieged enclave of Douma, Interfax reported, after the Syrian government said the group had asked for negotiations. There was no immediate comment from Jaish al-Islam. The group so […]

Featured

Syrian Regime kills dozens in Chem attack on Douma Holdout Enclave: Why?

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – The Saudi-backed fundamentalist militia “Army of Islam” in the Douma district of East Ghouta near Damascus alleged Sunday that the al-Assad regime had dropped a barrel bomb full of chlorine and other chemicals on the rebel enclave on Saturday. Initial reports said that some 41, including […]

Syria

Kurds of Afrin looted by Turkey-backed Arab Militias, as Syria blocks Kurdish Exodus

contributors

Human Rights Watch | – – Turkish-Allied Groups Loot, Destroy People’s Property (Beirut) – Syrian government forces are blocking some civilians fleeing the Turkish-led military actions in Afrin from entering territory under government control, Human Rights Watch said today. The civilians are stranded in areas with limited food, clean water, and medical supplies. Syrian government […]

Donald Trump

Trump wants out of Syria within 6 months, Seeks Saudi Aid: AP

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – AP’s Josh Lederman reports that on Tuesday, Trump told national security aides meeting in the White House that his patience is running out with the Syria operation. “I want to get out. I want to bring our troops back home. I want to start rebuilding our […]