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MORAL DILEMMA? Obama & Cameron suggest “peaceful” transition in Syria instead of revolution
14-Mar-2012
David Cameron has said he wants to see peaceful transition of power in Syria, rather than revolution, ahead of talks with US President Barack Obama. ( See Related News)
INEWS - Obama Cameron present united front on Syria
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NOOSHEH JAN
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David Cameron and Barack Obama enjoy 'fast and furious' basketball game in Ohio:
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IN THE MEANTIME IN SYRIA
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Recommended Watching:
CNN's Arwa Damon reports on torture captured on video carried out allegedly by Syrian soldiers : Here
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EASIER SAID THAN DONE:
RISKS AND OPTIONS FOR A MILITARY INTERVENTION
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New tactics in Syria uprising suggest Al Queda Inflitration :
CNN's Nic Robertson reports on a suicide bombing in Syria that indicates a disturbing new trend in the unrest.
Analysis: Options for military intervention in Syria By Jonathan Marcus
Since the outset of the Syria crisis in March 2011 there has been little appetite for outside military intervention. This has been based on two assessments.
Firstly, that the situation on the ground in Syria is in many ways very different from that in Libya - the opposition is much more divided, the government's security forces are much stronger, and Syria's air defences are more effective.
Secondly, there has been a view that the implications of toppling President Bashar al-Assad could prompt a much wider wave of instability in the region.
Unlike Libya, Syria - both politically and geographically - is a central player in the Arab world, and sectarianism and instability there could threaten both Lebanon and Iraq.
Then, of course, there is the fundamental legal problem. Constrained by Russian and Chinese vetoes at the UN Security Council, there is no possibility of getting a resolution to authorise force.
That has not always mattered in the past. Nato troops went into Kosovo, after all, to halt systematic abuses by Serbian forces.
But the absence of legal authorisation certainly precludes action when there is little enthusiasm for it in the first place.
So what are we to make of calls from senior Republican politicians in the US, like Senator John McCain, urging air strikes against Syrian security forces?
Joshua Landis, director of the Centre for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma, says: "Despite the growing chorus of politicians calling for US leadership in Syria, the Obama administration is adamant that Washington should not take the lead, but follow regional partners, Saudi Arabia and Turkey."
Mr Landis argues that the simple fact is that the Obama administration sees no strong reason to intervene.
"US officials are unanimous in arguing that the Assad regime is doomed and can only hang on for a limited time, with or without increased US support for the Syrian opposition. I think they are right in this analysis."
"This means that the US has no compelling national security interest in jumping into the Syrian civil war that is emerging. The regime's days are numbered."
Much of the debate on outside intervention is vague. It confuses and makes false distinctions between the different options and to a large extent glosses over many of the fundamental problems facing them all.
Assistance and relief
The main thrust of any external action would be essentially humanitarian in nature, a response to the growing plight of civilians in Syrian towns and cities who are under bombardment by government forces.
Efforts could also be made to bring assistance to displaced refugees who have moved towards Syria's frontiers with Turkey and Lebanon. Three related measures are being discussed.
Humanitarian corridors
Suggested first by the French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe last year, the idea would be to establish short corridors into Syrian territory through which humanitarian supplies could be delivered.
Safe zones
The establishment of safe areas within Syrian territory is an idea that has been broached by the Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu. Such safe havens would be in border areas, acting as a place of safety where refugees could gather, be fed and sheltered, and so on.
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Could US remove Syria chemical weapons?
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Dec 04, 2012 12:30 AM PSTCould US act on weapons? (bbc)
weapons arsenal is one of those "sit up and take notice" moments. He warned, "we cannot have a situation where chemical or biological weapons are falling into the hands of the wrong people".
The US president added, "we have put together a range of contingency plans".
These are thought to range from air strikes on key depots to special operations to seizing key stockpiles.
Obama warns Assad: Using chemical weapons 'unacceptable'
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Dec 04, 2012 12:10 AM PSTObama warns Assad (bbc, video)
US President Barack Obama has said use of chemical weapons by Syria's regime would be "totally unacceptable", saying there "will be consequences" if Bashar al-Assad chooses to deploy them.
Speaking at the National Defense Museum in Washington, DC, Mr Obama said: "We simply cannot allow the 21st Century to be darkened by the worst weapons of the 20th Century."
On Monday, the US said it feared Syrian President Assad might resort to using chemical weapons against his people. Meanwhile, the United Nations said it would withdraw all non-essential staff out of the country.
Syria 'brutality' appals UN chief
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Dec 01, 2012 12:10 AM PSTSyria 'brutality' appals UN chief (bbc)
Syria's violence is "reaching appalling heights of brutality", UN chief Ban Ki-moon says, warning that refugee numbers could swell to 700,000 by Januar
Misery and despair for Syria refugees
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Nov 27, 2012 08:27 AM PSTMisery and despair for Syria refugees (bbc, video)
As the violence continues in many parts of Syria, millions of people have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety.
Many have been invisibly absorbed into friends' and relatives' homes, elsewhere in Syria or abroad - but some have nowhere to go and are forced to live in refugee camps.
The BBC's Paul Wood visited one such camp at Atma, close to the border with Turkey.
After this report was filed it was reported that Syrian planes had dropped bombs near the camp. Although nobody was hurt some refugees are said to have fled in panic.
Activists said they planned to move the camp permanently in the coming days - splitting people up into smaller groups.
UK joins France in supporting Syrian rebel coalition
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Nov 23, 2012 07:57 AM PSTUK joins France in supporting Syrian rebel coalition (cnn)
(CNN) -- For months, the rebels fighting to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad were considered by the global community to be unorganized. But that appears to be changing, after the leaders of various fighting units agreed to move forward in lockstep with a uniform military plan.
And now France and the United Kingdom are giving help to those rebels and their unified opposition organization.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Death toll in Syria reaches: 42,392
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Nov 22, 2012 06:42 AM PSTSyria rebels: Aleppo strike kills 40 (cnn)
stanbul, Turkey (CNN) -- Syrian rebels and opposition groups accused government forces of bombing a building by a hospital late Wednesday in the besieged city of Aleppo, where at least 40 people died as the conflict rages on..
Fifteen people died in the strike on a building next to the Dar al-Shifa Hospital, including two children and a doctor, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a London-based opposition group.
Ralib al-Omar, a leader of the Yusif al-Asma rebel group, said the strike had targeted the hospital and that the dead included two nurses.
The Local Coordination Committees of Syria, a network of opposition activists, also said a doctor was among the dead -- one of 40 people killed in Aleppo on Wednesday and 108 across the country, according to the group.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Syrian opposition coalition gets ambassador to France
by Darius Kadivar on Sun Nov 18, 2012 09:11 AM PSTSyrian opposition gets French envoy (cnn)
(CNN) -- A new coalition of Syrian dissidents opposed to President Bashar al-Assad will have an ambassador in France, the French president said Saturday.
The announcement is a boost for the coalition, which seeks to unite the opposition against the Syrian government under a single vision.
The French decision to give the coalition an ambassador follows its pledge, and one by the United States, to support the coalition.
The Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council have also endorsed the coalition.
Syria conflict: Opposition leaders 'credible' says Hague
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Nov 16, 2012 03:50 PM PSTUK moves towards Syria opposition (bbc, video)
Foreign Secretary William Hague has said he believes Syrian opposition groups could be a "credible, political alternative" to the Assad government.
Before meeting opposition leaders in London, Mr Hague said the UK wanted to recognise them as the legitimate voice of the people at "an early stage".
But he said he must be sure they had "genuine support" throughout Syria and were committed to a democratic future.
Turkey recognises new Syrian opposition
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Nov 16, 2012 09:57 AM PSTTurkey recognises new Syrian opposition (france 24)
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu (pictured) recognised Syria's new opposition coalition as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people on Thursday, urging other Muslim countries to do the same.Syrian opposition in London talks
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Nov 16, 2012 12:27 AM PSTSyrian opposition in London talks (bbc)
Syrian opposition leaders are due in London for talks later with the UK's Foreign Secretary William Hague.
Britain will urge the newly formed coalition to put forward a clear plan for political transition in Syria.
In return, the UK government is considering official recognition of the group as the legitimate opposition to President Bashar al-Assad's rule.
The UK could also push for the lifting of an EU arms embargo to allow the supply of weapons to rebel forces.
France pushes arming Syria rebels
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Nov 15, 2012 05:24 AM PSTFrance pushes arming Syria rebels (bbc)
France says it will discuss supplying arms to the Syrian opposition coalition with European partners, ahead of key talks in Paris and London.
UK ministers to hold talks on Syria
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Nov 15, 2012 01:52 AM PSTUK ministers to hold talks on Syria (bbc)
UK PM David Cameron will hold a security meeting with senior ministers to discuss the conflict and refugee crisis in Syria.
Defector recounts Syria boat tragedy
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Nov 13, 2012 03:14 PM PSTDefector recounts Syria boat tragedy (bbc, video)
One of the few international aid agencies operating in Syria says that at least 2.5m people are now displaced within the country.
The figure, from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, more than doubles previous estimates.
The United Nations refugee agency says that an additional 700,000 people have fled to neighbouring countries.
Many risk their lives seeking sanctuary - in August, 60 people drowned making the journey from Syria to Europe when their boat overturned.
One survivor, who did not want to be identified, has been recounting the tragedy to the BBC's Fergal Keane.
France backs anti-Assad coalition
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Nov 13, 2012 03:12 PM PSTFrance backs anti-Assad coalition (bbc)
France's president becomes the first Western leader to recognise Syria's new opposition coalition as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.
Two and a half million Syrians 'displaced' inside Syria
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Nov 13, 2012 06:37 AM PSTTwo million Syrians 'displaced' (bbc)
The Syrian Arab Red Crescent estimates 2.5 million people have been displaced within Syria, doubling the previous figure used by aid agencies.
UN refugee agency spokeswoman Melissa Fleming said that the SARC's estimate was "very conservative" and warned that it might be far higher in reality.
People on the run or in hiding were difficult to count and help, she added.
Meanwhile, Syrian government warplanes bombed a rebel-held town near the border with Turkey for a second day.
Jim Muir: What chance for new opposition?
by Darius Kadivar on Mon Nov 12, 2012 12:03 PM PSTWhat chance for new opposition? (bbc)
t was a difficult birth, after a long gestation leading to more than a week of intensive labour, with a large host of doctors and midwives in anxious attendance.
But after a lot of last-minute pushing and pulling, and some cries of distress, the new, unified Syrian opposition leadership that the West has long been seeking finally emerged from the talks in Qatar.
How it fares may in large measure depend on the extent to which its outside backers, the US-led "Friends of Syria" group, live up to their pledges of support.
And that may, in turn, depend on the extent to which the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces establishes its credibility and leadership on the ground, especially in terms of controlling and unifying the rebel military.
So there is a potential Catch-22 situation which might eventually leave the coalition stranded, as the umbrella Syrian National Council was before it.
West greets Syria opposition body
by Darius Kadivar on Mon Nov 12, 2012 06:05 AM PSTWest greets Syria opposition body (bbc)
Western states welcome a new coalition of Syrian opposition groups, as Syrian jets bombard a town near the Turkish border.
Israel fires 'warning' into Syria
by Darius Kadivar on Sun Nov 11, 2012 12:40 PM PSTIsrael fires 'warning' into Syria (bbc)
Israeli forces say they have fired warning shots into Syria after a mortar round fired from Syria exploded in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Syrian cleric Moaz al-Khatib to lead opposition
by Darius Kadivar on Sun Nov 11, 2012 12:36 PM PSTSyrian cleric to lead opposition (bbc)
A leading Syrian cleric who fled to Egypt, Moaz al-Khatib, is chosen to head a new coalition to oppose President Bashar al-Assad's government.
Syria Council faces unity choice
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Nov 09, 2012 05:01 AM PSTSyria Council faces unity choice (bbc)
The Syrian National Council is facing a key choice on whether to join other opposition groups in a new, more unified leadership body, at talks in Qatar.
UK to talk to armed Syrian rebels
by Darius Kadivar on Wed Nov 07, 2012 01:17 AM PSTUK to talk to armed Syrian rebels (bbc)
The British government is to begin talks with Syrian rebel fighters in a bid to unite the opposition to the Assad regime.
Syria 'could become new Somalia' say's UN envoy
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Nov 06, 2012 08:34 AM PSTSyria 'could become new Somalia' (bbc)
The UN and Arab League envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, says he fears the country could "turn into a new Somalia" unless the crisis ends soon.
UK 'open to Assad safe passage'
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Nov 06, 2012 08:21 AM PSTUK 'open to Assad safe passage' (bbc)
British Prime Minister David Cameron says he would back offering President Bashar al-Assad safe passage out of Syria if it ended the bloodshed there.
Syria's divided opposition launch key talks
by Darius Kadivar on Mon Nov 05, 2012 01:35 AM PSTSyria opposition launch key talks (bbc)
Syria's divided opposition groups meet in the Qatari capital, Doha, for talks aimed at forging greater unity and the formation of a government in exile.
Syria 'rebel execution' condemned by Amnesty
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Nov 02, 2012 02:56 AM PDTSyria 'rebel execution' condemned (bbc)
Amnesty International condemns what appears to be a summary execution of Syrian soldiers by rebels in a video posted online.
Will US succeed in reshaping 'ineffective' Syrian opposition?
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Nov 01, 2012 10:33 AM PDTTime for change (bbc)
Will US succeed in reshaping 'ineffective' Syrian opposition?
US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton's call for a new Syrian opposition more representative of those fighting on the frontlines rather than exiles signals the most forceful attempt yet by Washington to reshape the fragmented Syrian oppositionClinton: Syrian group not 'visible' opposition leader
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Nov 01, 2012 12:33 AM PDTClinton: Syrian group not 'visible' leader (cnn)
An umbrella group that fashions itself the head of Syria's political opposition should no longer be considered the "visible leader" of efforts to form a government to replace Bashar al-Assad, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday.
Clinton said the Syrian National Council, which is made up mostly of Syrian expatriates cannot alone shape the future of Syria apart from those fighting and dying inside the country amid a civil war that has claimed more than 30,000 lives.
Clinton warns Syria rebels to resist extremism
by Darius Kadivar on Wed Oct 31, 2012 02:35 PM PDTUS warning over Syrian extremism (bbc)
US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has urged Syria's opposition to resist efforts by extremist groups to "hijack the revolution".
Speaking on a trip to Croatia, she said the rebel leadership needed to be more inclusive of those fighting in Syria.
The Turkey-based Syrian National Council (SNC) has been powerless to stop the escalating violence.
Mrs Clinton also revealed the Obama administration has suggested who should feature in the rebel leadership.China calls for 'political' solution to Syria crisis
by Darius Kadivar on Wed Oct 31, 2012 08:34 AM PDTChina calls for solution to Syria crisis (cnn)
TORY HIGHLIGHTS
France pledges help for Syrian 'Revolutionary Councils'
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Oct 18, 2012 04:58 PM PDT
The French government repeated its commitment to provide humanitarian aid and cash for the provision of basic services in rebel-held areas of Syria, as representatives of elected “Revolutionary Councils” attended a Paris conference.