Syrian critics see election as a sham

A spotlight shone through the early evening Damascus sky, heralding the campaign launch of Mohammed Nabil al-Nouri, independent parliamentary candidate – and loyal supporter of Bashar al-Assad, the president. (more…)

Steve Jobs met his Syrian father over 20 years ago

In one of the most ironic revelations about the complex personality and life of Apple CEO Steve Jobs, his biographer says in the 1980s Jobs actually met a man a few times who unbeknownst to either was his biological father. Walter Isaacson, the author Jobs chose to tell his life story in the biography “Steve Jobs,” taped the interview with Jobs about his father.

Given up for adoption as a baby, Jobs never knew he had a sister, until the biological mother he tracked down revealed her to him: the novelist Mona Simpson. Jobs met and bonded with Simpson and the two set out to find their father. Simpson found him, a man named Abdulfattah “John” Jandali. (more…)

Syrians call for Assad’s death

Tens of thousands of Syrian protesters shouted for President Bashar Assad’s death yesterday in a dramatic escalation of their rage and frustration, defying bullets and rooftop snipers after more than a week of intensified military assaults on rebellious cities, activists and witnesses said. (more…)

HR: Syrian forces use soccer stadiums as prisons

Syrian security forces were using soccer stadiums as makeshift prisons Monday after raiding homes and arresting hundreds of residents in at least two cities, the directors of two human rights organizations said. (more…)

Unholy Alliance: How Syria is Bringing Israel, Iran, and Saudi Arabia Together

One of the iron fisted rules of the Middle East seems to be “what an Assad giveth, an Assad also taketh away. (more…)

Assad blows his reformist credentials

Beirut, Lebanon: In his almost 11 years in office, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has brought about some remarkable changes to a country formerly run by his notoriously ruthless father, fueling perceptions that he is at heart a reformer, (more…)

Syrian troops take key Daraa mosque, kill 4

Syrian army troops backed by tanks and three helicopters on Saturday took a prominent mosque that had been controlled by residents in a besieged southern city killing four people, a witness said. (more…)

Syria sends more troops to besieged southern city

Military reinforcements poured into the besieged southern Syrian town of Daraa on Saturday, a day after President Bashar Assad unleashed deadly force to crush a months-old revolt, killing at least 65 people. (more…)