Syria
Envisioning a post-Assad Syria as civil war grinds on
Author Archives: CJ Radin
Iran
The Endless War: Saudi Arabia Goes on the Offensive against Iran
Egypt
New Egypt leader steps out on world stage seeking “balance”
Iran
Iran Said to Send Troops to Bolster Syria
Syria
Western states worked with Turkey to establish buffer zones within Syria. French President Hollande warned Syria’s use of chemical weapons would be a legitimate justification for military intervention. Heavy fighting shifted back to Damascus after weeks of battles in the northern city of Aleppo.
Syria
Britain and US plan a Syrian revolution from an innocuous office block in Istanbul
Syria
Rebels shot down a military helicopter over Damascus. Fighting in Aleppo has turned into a battle of attrition. France’s president urged the Syrian rebels to create a provisional government and said France would extend official recognition once it was formed.
Egypt
Egypt reached a ceasefire agreement with radical Salafist organizations in the Sinai peninsula. President Morsi proposed a new peace initiative for Syria. Egypt’s attorney general referred an anti-Islamist lawmaker for investigation.
Iran
A summit of the 120-nation “Non-Aligned Nations” Movement opened in Tehran. Iran was not clear if the Palestinian organization Hamas would be allowed to attend.
Syria
More than 300 bodies were found in a town outside the Syrian capital Damascus. Syria’s opposition accused the Assad regime of mass executions. Iran’s national security chief met with President Assad and his top aides.
Egypt
An Egyptian court convicted 76 people for the attack on the Israeli embassy last year; 75 of those convicted received a suspended one-year sentence. A presidential delegation met with Islamist extremists in Sinai in an apparent attempt to broker a deal over militant attacks.
Libya
Libyan leaders denounced the destruction of Sufi shrines yesterday by a conservative Salafi group. A congressional session convened over the recent incidents did not address allegations of collusion between the shrine’s attackers and security forces.
Iran
Iran has duty to support Assad: intelligence official
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US discussing more missile defense in Asia, says it’s against NKorea threat, not China
Syria
Fierce fighting caused rebels to abandon a Damascus suburb. The UN reported that 200,000 refugees have fled Syria.
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Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh accepted an invitation to attend a non-allgned summit in Iran. PLO president Abbas threatened to boycott the summit if Hamas attended.
Egypt
Egypt reopened a border crossing with Gaza, signaling improved relations with Hamas. Egypt has closed 120 smuggling tunnels across the border as part of the recent military operations in Sinai.
Libya
Salafi Islamists destroyed a Sufi shrine and burned down a library. Witnesses said bulldozers attacked the shrine unimpeded by police.
Afghanistan
Why Afghans are pushing for democratic elections soon
Syria
Syria’s deputy prime minister and Russia’s foreign minister warned the US against military intervention in Syria. As heavy fighting continued in Aleppo, the Free Syrian Army claimed to control two-thirds of the city.
Lebanon
In Tripoli, 33 people were wounded in clashes between pro- and anti-Assad supporters. The fighting erupted after a wave of kidnappings of Syrians across Lebanon.
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The U.S. Role in a Changing Mideast
Afghanistan
US to beef up rural police forces in Afghanistan despite attacks
Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, a quiet tide of reform
Iran
Little boat, big danger: how a British-made speedboat has become a weapon in Iran’s standoff with the US
Syria
Government and rebel forces fought in Aleppo, Daraa, and Damascus. Rebels established civil organizations in rural areas abandoned by government forces. Turkey urged the UN to create a “safe zone” within Syria to accommodate the growing number of Syrian refugees.
Libya
Security forces arrested 32 members of a group loyal to former leader Muammar Gaddafi. Authorities said they were responsible for two car bombings in the capital of Tripoli on Sunday.
Hezbollah
Facebook removes Hezbollah sites
Lebanon
Lebanese hopeful their country won’t be a theatre of Syria’s civil war
Egypt
Egypt evolving along with Morsi’s relationship with military