Syria talks reform while executing deadly crackdown

Syria’s government has endorsed a draft law that it says will allow the formation of political parties alongside President Bashar Assad’s ruling Baath Party, part of a series of promised reforms that the opposition has dismissed as largely symbolic. He has coupled his pledges of reform with a deadly crackdown on protesters that activists say has killed at least 1,600 people. (more…)

Chomsky denounces old friend Chávez for ‘assault’ on democracy

Hugo Chávez has long considered Noam Chomsky one of his best friends in the west. He has basked in the renowned scholar’s praise for Venezuela’s socialist revolution and echoed his denunciations of US imperialism. (more…)

Hezbollah chief slammed for backing Assad

Arabs have reacted sharply to the speech on Friday by Syed Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah, with people in Qatar saying the charismatic Shia leader has lost his credibility because of his stand on the pro-reform protests in Bahrain and Syria. (more…)

Syrian opposition to meet over ‘transition to a democratic civil state’

Syrian Independent opposition figures announced that they will hold a consultative meeting in Damascus on Monday to discuss “how to solve the crisis” in the country that has been rocked by unprecedented pro-democracy protests for over 100 days.

The motto of the gathering will be:”Syria is for all in a civil democratic state”. (more…)

Text of Obama’s speech on US policy in Mideast, Africa

US President Barack Obama’s speech Thursday outlined the US policy on the Middle East and North Africa . Here is the full text as provided by the White House

Hamas leader calls for freedom and democracy in Syria

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal who lives in exile in Syria’s capital Damascus called on Monday for more democracy in Syria.

“We want to see more stability, prosperity and a stronger government that responds to the people’s aspirations,” he told France 24 television. (more…)

What Happened to the Arab Spring? Ask Saudi Arabia.

The Arab countries, each and every one, have the distinction of being ruled by undemocratic and illiberal regimes. This has been the case at least since the era of independence that started almost a century ago.

MAV condemns disappearance of 4 Syrian opposition members in Lebanon

The Media Against Violence (MAV) foundation on Friday issued a statement condemning the continuing disappearance of four Syrian opposition members in Lebanon, “especially considering there is evidence that could lead to the perpetrators of the acts .” (more…)

HRW fears Lebanon is back to doing Syria’s dirty job

Lebanon should open an independent inquiry into the disappearance of three Syrian brothers more than two weeks ago and make the results public, Human Rights Watch said today. (more…)

Will Syria become more democratic?

By David Ignatius
The rise and fall of a protest demonstration here recently shows that Syrians share the yearning for dignity that’s sweeping the Arab world – and also illustrates why President Bashar al-Assad so far hasn’t been threatened by this tide of anger.