WorldViews: Syria


Posted at 06:31 AM ET, 05/16/2013

Map: How the world voted on a U.N. resolution for political transition in Syria
By Max Fisher
It's revealing to look at the 12 countries that voted in Syria's favor and the 59 that abstained.

By Max Fisher  |  06:31 AM ET, 05/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Iran, Maps, Russia, Syria, United Nations

Posted at 03:29 PM ET, 05/14/2013

A heartbreaking photo of a young Syrian girl selling bread amid destruction
By Max Fisher
A hint of normalcy in Deir al-Zour as well as a tragic sign of the war's deep damage.

By Max Fisher  |  03:29 PM ET, 05/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 01:28 PM ET, 05/13/2013

Six ways Assad has turned the tide in Syria
By Max Fisher
Regime forces appear to have regained the momentum in the conflict, at least for now.

By Max Fisher  |  01:28 PM ET, 05/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 11:42 AM ET, 05/09/2013

Syrian pro-Assad hacker insists attacks are funny: 'Haters gonna hate'
By Max Fisher
A member of the Syrian Electronic Army responds to my characterization of the group.

By Max Fisher  |  11:42 AM ET, 05/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 11:18 AM ET, 05/08/2013

Video: This Syrian rebel doesn't need hands to fire his Kalashnikov
By Max Fisher
Is he a symbol of the war's perpetuity or the rebels' bravery?

By Max Fisher  |  11:18 AM ET, 05/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 09:54 AM ET, 05/08/2013

How did Syria cut off the entire country from the Internet?
By Max Fisher
The prevailing theory from the latest such incident is complicated but we explain with a video.

By Max Fisher  |  09:54 AM ET, 05/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 05:17 PM ET, 05/07/2013

Web monitor: 'Syria has largely disappeared from the Internet'
By Max Fisher
Is the Internet blackout a deliberate precursor to some sort of regime campaign?

By Max Fisher  |  05:17 PM ET, 05/07/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 04:26 PM ET, 05/06/2013

This is how sarin kills
By Max Fisher
The chemical weapon, possibly released in Syria, turns the victim's own nervous system against him or her.

By Max Fisher  |  04:26 PM ET, 05/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 03:00 PM ET, 05/06/2013

Syrian hackers seize The Onion's Twitter account, aren't very funny
By Max Fisher
The pro-Assad cyber vandals attempt to mimic The Onion style, with a touch of anti-Semitism.

By Max Fisher  |  03:00 PM ET, 05/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 01:06 PM ET, 05/06/2013

Syrian chemical weapons reports get murkier
By Max Fisher
Were rebels, and not the regime, actually responsible for the alleged sarin exposure?

By Max Fisher  |  01:06 PM ET, 05/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 10:15 AM ET, 05/06/2013

Astonishing video from the Israeli airstrikes on Syria
By Max Fisher
Israeli jets attacked Syria twice over the weekend, an unusual escalation.

By Max Fisher  |  10:15 AM ET, 05/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Israel, Syria

Posted at 11:29 AM ET, 05/01/2013

Obama may arm Syrian rebels: Why now?
By Max Fisher
Three theories on why the administration signaled it might change policy on Syria.

By Max Fisher  |  11:29 AM ET, 05/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 12:49 PM ET, 04/30/2013

Video: Obama reiterates Syria 'red line' but vague on response if crossed
By Max Fisher
The administration still seems hesitant to pledge any sort of response if it finds that the Syrian regime used chemical weapons.

By Max Fisher  |  12:49 PM ET, 04/30/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 11:44 AM ET, 04/29/2013

Video: Amateur singer's heartbreaking song for Syria sweeps the Arab world
By Max Fisher
A young man from Aleppo channeled his country's pain in a performance on the Arab version of American Idol.

By Max Fisher  |  11:44 AM ET, 04/29/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 08:37 AM ET, 04/29/2013

Take a 360-degree tour inside Aleppo's now-devastated Umayyad Mosque
By Caitlin Dewey
The mosque was one of Syria's oldest and most precious landmarks, dating back to the 11th century

By Caitlin Dewey  |  08:37 AM ET, 04/29/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 11:49 AM ET, 04/26/2013

Yes, it's a big deal if Syria crossed the chemical weapons 'red line.' Here's why.
By Max Fisher
The taboo against chemical weapons is about more than just Syria: it's about every war that comes after.

By Max Fisher  |  11:49 AM ET, 04/26/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 07:02 AM ET, 04/26/2013

Half of Americans can't identify Syria on a map (young Republicans do slightly better)
By Max Fisher
One in five respondents told Pew they thought it was Turkey.

By Max Fisher  |  07:02 AM ET, 04/26/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria, U.S. Foreign Policy

Posted at 05:01 PM ET, 04/25/2013

What is Obama's red line on chemical weapons and what happens if Syria crosses it?
By Max Fisher
The administration has articulated the red line six times. Here's what it said, what it means and what it has promised to do about it.

By Max Fisher  |  05:01 PM ET, 04/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria, U.S. Foreign Policy

Posted at 02:03 PM ET, 04/25/2013

Three important caveats on the Syria chemical weapons report
By Max Fisher
U.S. intelligence believes forces loyal to Assad may have used sarin gas.

By Max Fisher  |  02:03 PM ET, 04/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 04:32 PM ET, 04/23/2013

Syrian hackers claim AP hack that tipped stock market by $136 billion. Is it terrorism?
By Max Fisher
The Free Syrian Army claimed a bit of juvenile vandalism that temporarily erased huge amounts of equity that was later recovered.

By Max Fisher  |  04:32 PM ET, 04/23/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Cyber Security, Syria

Posted at 03:28 PM ET, 04/22/2013

Syria's pro-Assad hackers are hijacking high-profile Twitter feeds
By Max Fisher
The Syrian Electronic Army is going after media groups and even FIFA.

By Max Fisher  |  03:28 PM ET, 04/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 03:14 PM ET, 03/19/2013

Russian analyst: Moscow believes Washington is gripped by 'strategic insanity'
By Max Fisher
Fyodor Lukyanov on the lessons that he says Russia drew from the Iraq War.

By Max Fisher  |  03:14 PM ET, 03/19/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Iraq, Russia, Syria

Posted at 10:18 AM ET, 03/18/2013

Would Saddam Hussein have survived the Arab Spring?
By Max Fisher
My theory for why the Iraqi dictator, were he still alive, would have rode it out.

By Max Fisher  |  10:18 AM ET, 03/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Algeria, Iraq, Syria

Posted at 05:18 PM ET, 03/17/2013

Syria's pro-Assad hackers infiltrate Human Rights Watch Web site and Twitter feed
By Max Fisher
The Syrian Electronic Army has defaced the influential NGO's Web site.

By Max Fisher  |  05:18 PM ET, 03/17/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 10:18 AM ET, 03/15/2013

The 'Alawite Lane'
By Max Fisher
A sign of Syria's sectarian breakdown and a warning about what could happen after Assad.

By Max Fisher  |  10:18 AM ET, 03/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 01:10 PM ET, 03/06/2013

There are now 1 million Syrian refugees
By Caitlin Dewey
More than 400,000 people have fled Syria since January alone.

By Caitlin Dewey  |  01:10 PM ET, 03/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 02:48 PM ET, 03/05/2013

Syria's education crisis, in three charts
By Caitlin Dewey
School attendance in Aleppo has plummeted to 6 percent

By Caitlin Dewey  |  02:48 PM ET, 03/05/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 05:04 PM ET, 03/01/2013

Are Syria's pro-Assad hackers up to something more nefarious?
By Caitlin Dewey
Social media hacks are a reminder that the Syrian Electronic Army may also be spying on revolutionary groups.

By Caitlin Dewey  |  05:04 PM ET, 03/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 11:47 AM ET, 03/01/2013

Syrian refugee count could hit 1 million within a week
By Caitlin Dewey
The United Nations estimates that 7,000 people flee war-torn Syria each day

By Caitlin Dewey  |  11:47 AM ET, 03/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 08:58 AM ET, 02/22/2013

Today's reads: Anger and shame in Syria, the Fox News of China
By Max Fisher
A moving essay on Syria's psyche and other must-reads of the day.

By Max Fisher  |  08:58 AM ET, 02/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  China, Japan, Syria, Today's Reads

Posted at 01:10 PM ET, 02/21/2013

Five most bizarre quotes from Bashar al-Assad's new interview
By Max Fisher
The Syrian leader sticks to his theory that Syrians love him and the rebels are just foreign thugs or terrorists.

By Max Fisher  |  01:10 PM ET, 02/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 01:11 PM ET, 02/13/2013

The mystery of Syria's missing-in-action foreign ministry spokesman
By Liz Sly
Jihad Makdissi, who issued a recent statement that only adds to the confusion, abruptly disappeared in November.

By Liz Sly  |  01:11 PM ET, 02/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 11:33 AM ET, 02/13/2013

The 11 foreign policy takeaways from Obama's State of the Union
By Max Fisher
Less Afghanistan and Syria, more cyber security and drones, outreach to Iran and more.

By Max Fisher  |  11:33 AM ET, 02/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Afghanistan, C.I.A., Cyber Security, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, U.S. Foreign Policy

Posted at 03:21 PM ET, 02/05/2013

A staggering map of the 54 countries that reportedly participated in the CIA's rendition program
By Max Fisher
The global but secret campaign included help from Iran and Syria, among others.

By Max Fisher  |  03:21 PM ET, 02/05/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  C.I.A., Iran, Maps, Syria

Posted at 12:14 PM ET, 01/31/2013

Israel's strike on Syria as a dress rehearsal for conflict with Iran
By Max Fisher
After years of a mutual testing of wills, both Israel and Iran get another opportunity with Wednesday's airstrike.

By Max Fisher  |  12:14 PM ET, 01/31/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Iran, Israel, Syria

Posted at 10:19 AM ET, 01/31/2013

How Israel's air strike could help Syria
By Max Fisher
Nothing brings wary allies together like a common enemy.

By Max Fisher  |  10:19 AM ET, 01/31/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Iran, Israel, Russia, Syria

Posted at 03:05 PM ET, 01/30/2013

Assad's office posts pictures of his wife looking decidedly not pregnant
By Liz Sly
The pictures are intended to contest recent claims that she's expecting.

By Liz Sly  |  03:05 PM ET, 01/30/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 04:05 PM ET, 01/29/2013

Assad's office issues statement contesting pregnancy report
By Max Fisher
His office's Facebook page has taken the unusual step of directly challenging the story.

By Max Fisher  |  04:05 PM ET, 01/29/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 03:19 PM ET, 01/28/2013

Obama, in new interview, seems to lean away from Syria intervention
By Max Fisher
The president's comments suggest he does not currently see U.S. military involvement as worth the risks.

By Max Fisher  |  03:19 PM ET, 01/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria, U.S. Foreign Policy

Posted at 02:49 PM ET, 01/28/2013

Syria's Bashar al-Assad says his wife is pregnant
By Max Fisher
The Syrian leader's wife, Asma al-Assad, already has three children.

By Max Fisher  |  02:49 PM ET, 01/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 12:44 PM ET, 01/25/2013

The all-female militias of Syria
By Liz Sly and Ahmed Ramadan
The national defense forces are now deploying women, some of whom have been seen ripping veils off of civilian women.

By Liz Sly and Ahmed Ramadan  |  12:44 PM ET, 01/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 10:00 AM ET, 01/09/2013

A defector's tale: Assad's reluctant army
By Olga Khazan
Many of Assad's soldiers don't actually support his cause.

By Olga Khazan  |  10:00 AM ET, 01/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 10:56 AM ET, 01/03/2013

War tourism: A thrill-seeking Japanese trucker in Syria
By Olga Khazan
The strange allure of war zones.

By Olga Khazan  |  10:56 AM ET, 01/03/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 11:10 AM ET, 12/22/2012

Photo call: Send us your old images of Aleppo
By Max Fisher
The Washington Post is looking for photos of Aleppo as it once was.

By Max Fisher  |  11:10 AM ET, 12/22/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Home News, Syria

Posted at 01:31 PM ET, 12/13/2012

Qaeda-linked Syrian rebel group is feuding with WordPress on Twitter
By Max Fisher
Jabhat al-Nusra, designated a terrorist group by the U.S., broke into English to defend its "freedom of speech."

By Max Fisher  |  01:31 PM ET, 12/13/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 11:57 AM ET, 12/13/2012

Writing on the wall: Why world leaders now foresee Assad's fall
By Max Fisher
Moscow for the first time acknowledged that he might fall, the NATO chief says it's only a matter of time, and an Iraqi official says it will be "weeks."

By Max Fisher  |  11:57 AM ET, 12/13/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Iraq, Russia, Syria

Posted at 10:36 AM ET, 12/13/2012

The scrappy Syrian TV station where reporters file via Facebook and Gchat
By Olga Khazan
How the independent Aleppo Today station documents every bomb blast and street battle.

By Olga Khazan  |  10:36 AM ET, 12/13/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 01:20 PM ET, 12/12/2012

What Syria's Scud missile launches tell us about the regime's thinking
By Max Fisher
The long-range, not-so-accurate missiles are an odd choice for fighting rebel groups. Maybe Assad is sending the West a message?

By Max Fisher  |  01:20 PM ET, 12/12/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 03:48 PM ET, 12/10/2012

A poem for Damascus
By Max Fisher
As rebels move closer toward Syria's long-quiet capital, pausing to appreciate Nizar Qabbani's lover letter to the city.

By Max Fisher  |  03:48 PM ET, 12/10/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 10:01 AM ET, 12/10/2012

Google trends: The moment Syria's 'revolution' became a 'civil war'
By Max Fisher
Data on Google searches for Syria's conflict reveal the changing narrative of the war.

By Max Fisher  |  10:01 AM ET, 12/10/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 12:06 PM ET, 12/07/2012

The chemical question: Dual Iraq legacies hang over a U.S. dilemma on Syria
By Max Fisher
As the U.S. considers when and how to respond if Syria moves toward deploying chemical weapons, two dark memories from Iraq may weigh on the decision.

By Max Fisher  |  12:06 PM ET, 12/07/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Iraq, Syria

Posted at 01:46 PM ET, 12/06/2012

Why the red line on Syria's chemical weapons matters
By Max Fisher
Why would the U.S. "take action," as Hillary Clinton warned, over Syria deploying chemical weapons as opposed to the conventional ones it's been using against civilians?

By Max Fisher  |  01:46 PM ET, 12/06/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Iraq, Syria

Posted at 11:18 AM ET, 12/06/2012

Syria video purports to show use of white phosphorus
By Babak Dehghanpisheh
A video surfaced Thursday that appears to show a Syrian military helicopter shooting canisters of white phosphorus.

By Babak Dehghanpisheh  |  11:18 AM ET, 12/06/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 09:53 AM ET, 12/04/2012

New video documents utter destruction in old Aleppo
By Max Fisher
It was only six months ago that Syria's largest city was one of its calmest.

By Max Fisher  |  09:53 AM ET, 12/04/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 12:25 PM ET, 12/01/2012

Chart: Syrian Internet appears to be back on in some areas
By Olga Khazan
Reports that service has been restored.

By Olga Khazan  |  12:25 PM ET, 12/01/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 06:11 PM ET, 11/30/2012

Video said to show Syrian rebel executing unarmed prisoners
By Max Fisher
Scrutinizing a much-discussed, little-understood, bloody video is in some ways representative of how the outside world now watches the war.

By Max Fisher  |  06:11 PM ET, 11/30/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 01:51 PM ET, 11/30/2012

Can U.S. communication kits' help Syrians get around the Internet blackout?
By Max Fisher
The satellite Web access tools could play a crucial role in helping rebels to stay in communication, but some Syrians say they're not getting the promised kits.

By Max Fisher  |  01:51 PM ET, 11/30/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 11:27 AM ET, 11/30/2012

Surprising video shows Syrian Internet connections dropping one by one
By Olga Khazan
Connections were pruned away one by one in the full blackout.

By Olga Khazan  |  11:27 AM ET, 11/30/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 09:51 AM ET, 11/30/2012

Syria Internet outage: How it might have happened and what it means
By Olga Khazan
Assad regime likely re-routed Internet addresses

By Olga Khazan  |  09:51 AM ET, 11/30/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 03:10 PM ET, 11/29/2012

The three big questions on Syria's Internet blackout
By Max Fisher
Did web service go completely dark in the country because the military is planning something or as a reaction against rebel gains?

By Max Fisher  |  03:10 PM ET, 11/29/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 11:02 AM ET, 11/29/2012

A stunning chart shows Syria's Internet blackout
By Max Fisher
Web traffic in and out of the country has reportedly dropped to zero almost immediately.

By Max Fisher  |  11:02 AM ET, 11/29/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 10:04 AM ET, 11/29/2012

Web monitor: 100 percent of Syria's Internet just shut down
By Max Fisher
If this report of a near-blackout is accurate, then why did the regime wait so long?

By Max Fisher  |  10:04 AM ET, 11/29/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 02:49 PM ET, 11/27/2012

Mapping the recent events in Syria
By Olga Khazan
Some of the major events, videos and stories coming out of the country over the past week.

By Olga Khazan  |  02:49 PM ET, 11/27/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 11:46 AM ET, 11/27/2012

Videos appear to show Syrian rebels shooting down military helicopter
By Max Fisher
Regime forces have long dominated Syria's skies, so a successful shoot-down would be significant.

By Max Fisher  |  11:46 AM ET, 11/27/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 04:16 PM ET, 11/19/2012

Video allegedly shows Syrian rebels capturing strategic army base
By Max Fisher
The clips appear to support the rebels' claim of seizing the base just outside of capital city Damascus.

By Max Fisher  |  04:16 PM ET, 11/19/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 11:45 AM ET, 11/12/2012

Raw video of Israeli tanks firing at Syria
By Max Fisher
Despite this volley, Israel seems to be working to avoid the conflict.

By Max Fisher  |  11:45 AM ET, 11/12/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Israel, Syria

Posted at 01:06 PM ET, 11/06/2012

Syrian opposition figures expect little change if Romney wins
By Babak Dehghanpisheh
Members of the Syrian National Council expressed skepticism that he would pursue a different course in Syria than President Obama.

By Babak Dehghanpisheh  |  01:06 PM ET, 11/06/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  America in Context, Syria

Posted at 01:54 PM ET, 10/30/2012

Pro-Assad page claims Syria and Iran engineered Hurricane Sandy
By Max Fisher
A popular Facebook page "confirms" that the Syrian and Iranian governments were behind the storm.

By Max Fisher  |  01:54 PM ET, 10/30/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 11:18 AM ET, 10/27/2012

Report: One day in, Syrian forces already breaking cease-fire
By Max Fisher
Activists say warplanes bombed a suburb on day two of a four-day truce.

By Max Fisher  |  11:18 AM ET, 10/27/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 09:17 AM ET, 10/23/2012

Presidential debate: Obama and Romney almost word-for-word same on Syria
By Max Fisher
The candidates strained to articulate a policy difference on worsening the Middle East conflict.

By Max Fisher  |  09:17 AM ET, 10/23/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria, U.S. Foreign Policy

Posted at 01:35 PM ET, 10/19/2012

Why Wissam al-Hassan matters for the Middle East
By Max Fisher
The Lebanese official's death may mark an increasing internationalization of the Syrian war.

By Max Fisher  |  01:35 PM ET, 10/19/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Lebanon, Middle East, Syria

Posted at 10:51 AM ET, 10/19/2012

A car bomb in Beirut: Photos of Lebanon in shock
By Max Fisher
Firefighters and concerned locals rushed to the scene of the city's first car blast since 2008.

By Max Fisher  |  10:51 AM ET, 10/19/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Lebanon, Syria

Posted at 12:28 PM ET, 10/18/2012

A Syrian air force pilot explains why he bombed civilians
By Max Fisher
A terrifeid officer says he believed the houses were filled with foreign terrorists.

By Max Fisher  |  12:28 PM ET, 10/18/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Syria

Posted at 08:58 AM ET, 10/18/2012

Who’s fighting whom in Syria?
By Olga Khazan
Syria contains a number of different religious factions, all of whom want slightly different outcomes to the uprising there.

By Olga Khazan  |  08:58 AM ET, 10/18/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  assad, free syrian army, kurds, Syria

Posted at 10:53 AM ET, 04/10/2012

Syria’s failed cease-fire and the limits of social media
By Elizabeth Flock
Does the failure of the cease-fire on Tuesday give us a sense of what social media can’t always do?

By Elizabeth Flock  |  10:53 AM ET, 04/10/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, United Nations, social media

Posted at 05:28 PM ET, 03/30/2012

Twitter hoaxer Tommaso De Benedetti comes clean
By Elizabeth Flock
The Rome schoolteacher has faked the identities of major world leaders like Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  05:28 PM ET, 03/30/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Afghanistan, Syria, Tommaso De Benedetti, online hoaxes

Posted at 05:47 PM ET, 03/28/2012

Syrian uprising: Imam tells rape victims they deserve to be honored
By Elizabeth Flock
Women Under Siege, a project that documents rape as a weapon of war, reported the striking gesture of support.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  05:47 PM ET, 03/28/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Women Under Siege, rape

Posted at 12:30 PM ET, 03/27/2012

Are Syrian citizen journalists embellishing the truth?
By Elizabeth Flock
A report from Channel 4 suggests some may be embellishing their footage to ensure the world takes notice.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  12:30 PM ET, 03/27/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, citizen journalism, Channel 4

Posted at 04:53 PM ET, 03/19/2012

Former Syrian official leaks secret documents to al-Jazeera
By Elizabeth Flock
The files give an insight into President Bashar al-Assad’s strategy to suppress protests.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  04:53 PM ET, 03/19/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Bashar al-Assad, leaks

Posted at 04:15 PM ET, 03/15/2012

Syrian uprising, one year ago and today (photos)
By Elizabeth Flock
One year ago today, ordinary Syrians took to the streets for the first time, in scattered and small numbers.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  04:15 PM ET, 03/15/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Bashar al-Assad

Posted at 03:43 PM ET, 03/14/2012

Assad secret e-mails leaked: 7 revelations
By Elizabeth Flock
The Guardian has obtained a trove of e-mails between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, his wife and their inner circle.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  03:43 PM ET, 03/14/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Bashar al-Assad, Syria, emails

Posted at 02:39 PM ET, 03/13/2012

New Syria documentary filmed entirely on iPhone
By Elizabeth Flock
“Syria: Songs of Defiance” was filmed by a journalist using only an iPhone because of safety concerns.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  02:39 PM ET, 03/13/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, al-Jazeera, iPhone

Posted at 11:13 AM ET, 03/12/2012

Syrian women join protest frontlines as activists report women massacre
By Elizabeth Flock
As the violence in Syria continues, women are joining the frontlines of the protests in growing numbers.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  11:13 AM ET, 03/12/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, women, killings

Posted at 08:09 AM ET, 03/08/2012

Solar storm, Kony 2012 and International Women’s Day: Morning roundup
By Elizabeth Flock
Solar storm, Kony 2012 and International Women’s Day

By Elizabeth Flock  |  08:09 AM ET, 03/08/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Morning news roundup, Uganda, Syria

Posted at 02:02 PM ET, 03/05/2012

As Marie Colvin’s body goes home, dozens of other journalists around the world face attacks
By Elizabeth Flock
Her death highlighted the dangers for journalists abroad. Dozens of other journalists were killed or came under attack this month.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  02:02 PM ET, 03/05/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Marie Colvin, journalists

Posted at 02:33 PM ET, 03/02/2012

Syria: Satellite images appear to show shelling of Homs
By Elizabeth Flock
The images came from Human Rights Watch, an international human rights group.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  02:33 PM ET, 03/02/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, satellite images, shelling

Posted at 10:25 AM ET, 03/02/2012

Javier Espinosa escaped Syria, but Syrian news outlet reported his death
By Elizabeth Flock
The Syrian Arab News Agency falsely claimed Thursday that the Spanish photographer’s body had been found. By then Espinosa was in Beirut.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  10:25 AM ET, 03/02/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, journalist, Javier Espinosa

Posted at 03:06 PM ET, 03/01/2012

Marie Colvin was buried in Homs, according to activist video
By Elizabeth Flock
A Syrian activist video claims to show the burial of the American journalist in Homs on Monday.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  03:06 PM ET, 03/01/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Marie Colvin, video

Posted at 01:30 PM ET, 03/01/2012

As Syrian rebels flee Homs, communications to the area remain down
By Elizabeth Flock
As Syrian rebels flee Homs, communications to the area remain down.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  01:30 PM ET, 03/01/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Free Syria Army, Homs, Bab Amr

Posted at 08:49 AM ET, 03/01/2012

Syrian rebels reportedly retreating from besieged district of Bab Amr
By Elizabeth Flock
After weeks of heavy shelling, the Free Syrian Army says it is leaving to save the lives of 4,000 civilians who remain in their homes.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  08:49 AM ET, 03/01/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Bashar al-Assad, Homs, Baba Amr

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 03/01/2012

First day of Spring on horizon, Midwest tornado cleanup and solar storm: Morning roundup
By Elizabeth Flock
Harrisburg, Ill. and Branson, Mo. tornadoes; North Korea moratorium and Solar Storm

By Elizabeth Flock  |  08:00 AM ET, 03/01/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Morning roundup, North Korea, Turkey, Syria

Posted at 02:52 PM ET, 02/29/2012

Asma al-Assad: The fashionable face of tyranny
By Maura Judkis
Asma al-Assad has been called “the Marie Antoinette of Syria.”

By Maura Judkis  |  02:52 PM ET, 02/29/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Asma al-Assad

Posted at 11:05 AM ET, 02/29/2012

Syrian troops try to retake Homs (live video)
By Elizabeth Flock
Backed by tanks, Syrian troops launched a ground offensive to retake the opposition stronghold.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  11:05 AM ET, 02/29/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Homs, video

Posted at 08:28 AM ET, 02/29/2012

Russians living in Syria insulted, blamed for violence
By Will Englund
The position of Russian citizens in Syria deteriorated after Russia vetoed the U.N. Security Council resolution on Syria.

By Will Englund  |  08:28 AM ET, 02/29/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Russia, Syria

Posted at 07:58 AM ET, 02/29/2012

Leap year, Anonymous hackers arrested, Ohio shooting’s 911 tapes: Morning roundup
By Elizabeth Flock
Leap year, Anonymous hackers arrested, Ohio shooting’s 911 tapes.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  07:58 AM ET, 02/29/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Morning roundup, Iran, Syria, Europe, South America

Posted at 08:11 AM ET, 02/28/2012

Chardon High School shooting, Occupy London, and Indonesia tweets: Morning roundup
By Elizabeth Flock
Chardon High School, Occupy London, Indonesia tweets

By Elizabeth Flock  |  08:11 AM ET, 02/28/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Morning roundup, Indonesia, U.K., Syria

Posted at 02:35 PM ET, 02/27/2012

Red Cross attempt to evacuate journalists from Syria fails
By Elizabeth Flock
Vehicles reached the suburb where they were but left without them.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  02:35 PM ET, 02/27/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Marie Colvin, Remi Ochlik, journalists

Posted at 08:55 AM ET, 02/27/2012

Oscar winners abroad, Russia protests and WikiLeaks strikes: Morning roundup
By Elizabeth Flock
Oscar winners abroad, Russia protests and WikiLeaks strikes again.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  08:55 AM ET, 02/27/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Morning roundup, Pakistan, Iran, France, Russia, Afghanistan, Syria

Posted at 11:13 AM ET, 02/24/2012

Syria’s ‘crimes against humanity’ documented on video
By Elizabeth Flock
An 11-minute video by Channel 4 News shows the horrors in Homs.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  11:13 AM ET, 02/24/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Homs, Channel 4

Posted at 08:02 AM ET, 02/24/2012

Salman Rushdie, SOS for oceans, Syria will get arms ‘somehow’: Morning roundup
By Elizabeth Flock
Salman Rushdie, SOS for oceans, Syria will get arms ‘somehow’

By Elizabeth Flock  |  08:02 AM ET, 02/24/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Morning roundup, Syria, Iran, India, Australia

Posted at 09:02 AM ET, 02/23/2012

Iwo Jima, Iraq violence and a push for a Syrian cease-fire: Morning roundup
By Melissa Bell and Elizabeth Flock
Iwo Jima, Iraq violence and a push for a Syrian cease-fire in the morning roundup.

By Melissa Bell and Elizabeth Flock  |  09:02 AM ET, 02/23/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Morning roundup, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, France, Iwo Jima

Posted at 08:16 AM ET, 02/22/2012

Journalists Marie Colvin and Remi Ochlik killed in Syria: Their last work and words
By Elizabeth Flock
Read some of their last works and words.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  08:16 AM ET, 02/22/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, journalists, Marie Colvin, Remi Ochlik

Posted at 04:52 PM ET, 02/21/2012

Beirut gathering pays tribute to Anthony Shadid
By Alice Fordham
The foreign correspondent who died in Syria was buried in Lebanon.

By Alice Fordham  |  04:52 PM ET, 02/21/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Anthony Shadid, Syria

Posted at 11:56 AM ET, 02/21/2012

Syria, Bahrain, Yemen streets filled with violence (videos)
By Elizabeth Flock
At least three countries have been rocked by violence at the beginning of this week alone.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  11:56 AM ET, 02/21/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Bahrain, Yemen, Arab Spring

Posted at 08:31 AM ET, 02/21/2012

Fat Tuesday, Koran burning and Damascus revolt: Morning links
By Elizabeth Flock
Koran burning, Fat Tuesday and Damascus revolt.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  08:31 AM ET, 02/21/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Morning links, Mardi Gras, Carnaval, Koran, Yemen, Syria, Bahrain, Afghanistan, Google Street View

Posted at 05:48 PM ET, 02/16/2012

U.N. Syrian resolution: Which countries voted no?
By Melissa Bell
Twelve countries voted against the resolution to condemn Syria.

By Melissa Bell  |  05:48 PM ET, 02/16/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, United Nations

Posted at 10:43 AM ET, 02/15/2012

Syria to hold referendum on new constitution — but opposition says Assad still must go
By Elizabeth Flock
But the opposition Syrian National Council says Assad still must go.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  10:43 AM ET, 02/15/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Free Syrian Army, constitution, uprising

Posted at 11:29 AM ET, 02/13/2012

Syrian activist Danny Abdul Dayem flees to Lebanon amid violence
By Elizabeth Flock
Danny Abdul Dayem, known as the “voice of Homs,” left as tanks closed in on his neighborhood.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  11:29 AM ET, 02/13/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Danny Abdul Dayem, Homs, Arab League

Posted at 09:43 AM ET, 02/10/2012

Syria satellite images show government is using artillery and mortars against Homs
By Elizabeth Flock
The images offer ‘proof’ the Syrian government is using artillery and mortars against Homs.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  09:43 AM ET, 02/10/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Robert Ford, Homs, satellite photos

Posted at 12:30 PM ET, 02/08/2012

Syrian city sees another deadly day of shellings
By Anup Kaphle
Neighborhoods in Homs came under renewed bombardment by government forces, reports say.

By Anup Kaphle  |  12:30 PM ET, 02/08/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Homs

Posted at 11:59 AM ET, 02/08/2012

Syrian activist Danny Abdul Dayem documents the daily horrors of Homs streets
By Elizabeth Flock
Danny Abdul Dayem goes out every day to film and deliver food and medication to other protesters.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  11:59 AM ET, 02/08/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Homs

Posted at 10:50 AM ET, 02/06/2012

U.S. closes Syrian embassy: How often does the U.S. shutter embassies?
By Elizabeth Flock
How often does the United States close embassies?

By Elizabeth Flock  |  10:50 AM ET, 02/06/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, diplomatic relations, North Korea, Iran, Cuba, Bhutan, Taiwan

Posted at 11:46 AM ET, 02/02/2012

Free Syrian Army soldiers may have armored vehicles, YouTube videos show
By Liz Sly
Two videos posted on YouTube show that the defected soldiers may have infantry fighting vehicles.

By Liz Sly  |  11:46 AM ET, 02/02/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Free Syrian Army, tanks

Posted at 11:02 AM ET, 01/11/2012

Gilles Jacquier, French journalist, killed in Syria
By Melissa Bell
A French journalist was killed during a government tour in Syria.

By Melissa Bell  |  11:02 AM ET, 01/11/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Gilles Jacquier, Syria, Media

Posted at 05:45 PM ET, 01/05/2012

Syrian protesters emboldened by sight of themselves on al-Jazeera (video)
By Elizabeth Flock
In a new video from the city of Hama, Syrian protesters are shown watching themselves live on al-Jazeera on a big screen

By Elizabeth Flock  |  05:45 PM ET, 01/05/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, protesters, al-Jazeera

Posted at 10:56 AM ET, 12/27/2011

Syria pulls tanks from Homs as Arab League monitors visit city (videos)
By Elizabeth Flock
Reports and videos uploaded to YouTube showed tanks leaving restive city as Arab League monitors visit.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  10:56 AM ET, 12/27/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Homs, Arab League

Posted at 02:37 PM ET, 12/13/2011

Who makes up the Free Syrian Army? (videos)
By Elizabeth Flock
The FSA killed seven of their former employers Tuesday.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  02:37 PM ET, 12/13/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Free Syrian army, Bashar al-Assad

Posted at 01:28 PM ET, 12/12/2011

YouTube puppet show mocks Syrian President Assad
By Elizabeth Flock
A new YouTube series “Top Goon” mocks Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  01:28 PM ET, 12/12/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Bashar al-Assad, YouTube, puppets

Posted at 08:52 AM ET, 12/07/2011

Bashar al-Assad denies crackdown in exclusive interview with Barbara Walters
By Elizabeth Flock
Syria President Bashar al-Assad denies he ordered a bloody crackdown against protesters.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  08:52 AM ET, 12/07/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Bashar Assad, Barbara Walters

Posted at 10:08 AM ET, 12/05/2011

U.S.-born Syrian blogger Razan Ghazzawi arrested
By Elizabeth Flock
American-Syrian blogger and activist Razan Ghazzawi was arrested Sunday at the Jordan/Syria border.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  10:08 AM ET, 12/05/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Razan Ghazzawi

Posted at 05:13 PM ET, 12/02/2011

Syria reportedly bans iPhone to stop flow of protest footage online
By Elizabeth Flock
Syria has banned the iPhone in an attempt to stop the constant flow of images and video taken by citizens of the anti-government protests and shared online.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  05:13 PM ET, 12/02/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, iPhone, citizen journalism

Posted at 10:45 AM ET, 11/18/2011

Free Syrian Army video may verify armed insurgency
By Liz Sly
A video purports to show the Free Syrian Army attacking government troops

By Liz Sly  |  10:45 AM ET, 11/18/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Free Syrian Army

Posted at 01:30 PM ET, 11/02/2011

Syria agrees to Arab League proposal to end 7 months of bloodshed
By Elizabeth Flock
The Syrian government has approved an Arab plan for dialogue with the opposition and steps to end seven months of bloodshed.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  01:30 PM ET, 11/02/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Arab League

Posted at 11:04 AM ET, 09/29/2011

Robert Ford, U.S. ambassador to Syria, pelted with eggs and tomatoes
By Elizabeth Flock
A day after we reported that U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford has been slamming Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Facebook, it looks as if Assad’s supporters got payback.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  11:04 AM ET, 09/29/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Robert Ford, Bashar al-Assad, Arab Spring

Posted at 11:07 AM ET, 09/28/2011

Robert Ford and Simon Collis, ambassadors to Syria, bash Assad online
By Elizabeth Flock
The ambassadors to Syria from the United States and Britain have taken to criticizing the Assad regime on a blog and Facebook.

By Elizabeth Flock  |  11:07 AM ET, 09/28/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World, Syria, Robret Ford, Simon Collis, Bashar al-Assad