UN investigators today accused the Syrian regime of committing crimes against humanity:
The UN investigators also said there were “reasonable grounds” to believe that government forces and their shabiha allies were responsible for “gross violations of international human rights …
Fears are growing that Western democracies’ failure to support the Syrian opposition is creating an opportunity for jihadist groups to exploit the uprising and possibly help shape the post-Assad political settlement.
“The arms flowing to the [Free Syrian Army], at …
Syria today denied Russian claims that President Bashar al-Assad was prepared to relinquish power “in a civilized way,” as observers questioned the regime’s longevity and speculated on a possible strategic retreat to an Alawite coastal enclave.
“Syrian authorities claimed on …
Today’s bombing attack in Damascus is a dagger in the heart of the Assad regime, Hussein Ibish writes on the Daily Beast.
Even if the regime survives for many months, or possibly years, today’s bombing will likely be remembered as …
The utterly unexpected Arab Spring has catalyzed a political sea change, but it has so far spawned more protest movements than regime changes, notes a major new study. Will the Arab Spring lead to a flowering of democracy? Will loosening …
More than 200 Syrians have been massacred in the rebellious Hama region, say opposition sources, after the village of Tremseh was bombarded by helicopter gunships and tanks before being stormed by militiamen.
“If confirmed, it would be the worst single …
A clear majority of Muslims worldwide favor democracy over alternative political systems, but majorities or pluralities in six Muslim Muslim-majority countries believe the U.S. is opposed to their democratic aspirations, according to a new Pew Research survey of opinion in …
Turkey today dispatched tanks to its border with Syria in an escalation of tension following the downing of a Turkish reconnaissance plane by Syrian air defense forces. The move coincides with renewed fears that Syria’s opposition is being drawn into …
The policy debate about whether or not to arm Syria’s opposition has been overtaken by events: external actors are funding the insurgency, contributing to rebel military successes, but haphazard support is also endangering Syria’s future stability, a new report suggests. …
The new head of Syria’s main opposition group has urged government officials to defect from a regime that is “on its last legs,” echoing similar demands by the rebel Free Syrian Army, which also called for a campaign of mass …