Russia: Iran, Syria a chess game ‘not American football’

Leaders from the Group of Eight nations sought to smooth over disagreements about how to contain Iran’s nuclear ambitions and stem violence in Syria, as Russia warned Western powers that they should approach Middle East disputes with more delicacy. (more…)

Putin Holds Key to Ending Syrian Bloodshed

When NATO leaders meeting in Chicago this weekend take up the continued bloodshed in Syria, their best course of action is to have a long, hard talk with Russia about what it would take to turn the United Nation’s undermanned monitors into a robust, well equipped peace-keeping force. (more…)

Syria holds elections as violence rages

Syrians voted in a parliamentary election on Monday touted by authorities as a milestone of political reform but dismissed by the opposition as a facade while people are killed every day (more…)

HRW chief told Obama to intensify pressure on Russia before thousands more Syrians are killed

In a recent interview with Human Rights Watch Executive Director Ken Roth, we discussed his latest thinking on the challenges and opportunities of the Middle East in transition, the role of non-profit, civil society and philanthropic sectors in accelerating the positive outcomes of the Arab Spring, (more…)

Analysis: Five myths about America’s decline

By Ian Bremmer: Drawn-out wars, economic struggles, exploding debt — it’s easy to point to these signs and conclude that America is in an irreversible decline;

China to host Arabi and Ghalioun for Syria talks

The head of the Arab League, which has played a key role in mediating the Syria crisis, arrived in China on Friday for discussions with top leaders, China’s foreign ministry said.

Nabil al-Arabi arrived in the commercial hub of Shanghai and would travel to Beijing on Monday to meet Chinese officials, (more…)

Indispensable but invisible in the Syrian crisis

For a year, a chorus of pundits has been proclaiming that the Arab Spring has ushered in a new era in the Middle East in which the United States no longer is the “indispensable nation” Bill Clinton once described. Syria has proved them wrong.

Missing Chinese Dissident Under US Protection, report

A U.S.-based China rights organization says the blind Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng is under U.S. protection and that talks are underway between U.S. and Chinese officials. (more…)

France raises prospect of military action in Syria

France raised the prospect of military intervention in Syria on Wednesday, saying the U.N. should consider harsher measures if an international peace plan that has been shaken by violence ultimately collapses. (more…)

Apple soars on back of iPhone, iPad sales

Apple has brushed aside concerns that it could soon reach the limits of its soaring growth, with news on Tuesday that huge international sales of the iPhone enabled its latest financial results to once again top even the most optimistic Wall Street forecasts.

The news gave an immediate lift of more than 7 per cent to Apple’s shares in after-market trading, (more…)