Kremlin: Data on chemical arms use by Assad ‘fabricated’

A senior pro-Kremlin Russian lawmaker said on Friday that information on the use of chemical weapons by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces was fabricated and suggested the United States would use it to justify intervention in the conflict. (more…)

Bill Clinton: Obama should support Syria rebels or risk looking like a total fool

Bill Clinton told Sen. John McCain he agrees that President Barack Obama should act more forcefully to support anti-Assad rebels in Syria, saying the American public elects presidents and members of Congress “to see down the road” and “to win.” (more…)

U.S. credibility on Iran at stake in Syria

American officials like to say that Iran’s defiance of international demands that it limit its nuclear activities, its support for terrorism, and the like have led to Tehran’s growing isolation. Iranian regime officials see things differently. The Iranian regime has a strategy in the Middle East and believes it is succeeding. (more…)

Hague: we must do more to help innocent Syrians

William Hague said Britain and its allies must “do more” to save innocent lives in Syria last night, after talks in Washington failed to yield any movement on calls to arm rebel fighters who are losing ground to resurgent Syrian government forces back by Iran and Hezbollah. (more…)

Syrian rebels plead for weapons to prevent fall of Aleppo

A top Syrian rebel commander has issued a desperate plea for weapons from Western governments to prevent the fall of his forces in Aleppo, pushing the Obama administration to decide quickly whether to agree to arm rebels for the first time or risk the loss of another rebel stronghold just days after the regime’s biggest victory. (more…)

U.S. blacklists 37 firms controlled by Iranian leaders

The United States on Tuesday blacklisted what it described as a global network of front companies controlled by Iran’s top leaders, accusing them of hiding assets and generating billions of dollars’ worth of revenue to help Tehran evade sanctions over its disputed nuclear program.
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The Syrian Chess Board: Behind the Game Played by Russia, Israel, the U.S. and Other Powers

Diplomacy is running full bore in the Syrian conflict, and even as horrors multiply on the battlefield, a good portion of the war is also being carried out in words

33-year-old Michigan woman killed in Syria, report

The family of a 33-year-old Michigan woman says the FBI confirmed Thursday that she was killed in fighting in Syria.

She was identified as Nicole Lynn Mansfield of Flint. (more…)

Chinese hackers ‘access sensitive US weapons systems’

Designs for some of the United States’ most important and sensitive weapons systems have been “compromised” by Chinese hackers according to extracts from a confidential report obtained by the Washington Post. (more…)

Senator Mccain slips into Syria, meets rebels

US Sen. John McCain, one of Congress’ strongest advocates for increasing America’s role in Syria, on Monday became the highest ranking U.S. official to visit the country since a bloody civil war broke out there more than two years ago, NBC News has confirmed. (more…)