A Free Syrian Army fighter runs for cover during clashes in Aleppo on August 17, 2012. (Reuters)
America and Iran Square Off Over Syria -- Robert Dreyfuss, The Diplomat
Washington has seen all roads in Damascus as leading through Tehran. Why time and compromise could lead to a deal that saves lives.
Viewed from Washington, the crisis in Syria has always had very little to do with Syria – and a lot to with Iran. Almost from the beginning, the United States has seen the eruption of the Syrian revolt as an opportunity to deal a severe blow to Tehran, depriving it of its chief regional ally and isolating its Lebanese partner, Hezbollah. For that reason, rather than seek a diplomatic solution that would try to bring both the government of President Bashar al-Assad and the opposition to the table, since last August President Obama has demanded that Assad step down. That had the intended effect of galvanizing the Syrian opposition, which – in response to a wantonly brutal crackdown by Syrian security forces – has increasingly become a militarized force engaged in outright civil war.
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With Syria in turmoil, Lebanon remains at risk -- David Hirst, The Guardian
China's show trial harms the party by showing too much -- Minxin Pei, The National
The real danger for South Africa after Lonmin mine shooting -- Scott Baldauf, Christian Science Monitor
Africa is booming as renaissance finally gets under way -- Dan O'Brien, Irish Times
A Russian farce over a punk rock band -- Washington Post editorial
Despite an Anti-Sarkozy Agenda, Hollande Imitates His Predecessor on Security -- Bruce Crum
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Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials
With Syria in turmoil, Lebanon remains at risk -- David Hirst, The Guardian
China's show trial harms the party by showing too much -- Minxin Pei, The National
The real danger for South Africa after Lonmin mine shooting -- Scott Baldauf, Christian Science Monitor
Africa is booming as renaissance finally gets under way -- Dan O'Brien, Irish Times
A Russian farce over a punk rock band -- Washington Post editorial
Despite an Anti-Sarkozy Agenda, Hollande Imitates His Predecessor on Security -- Bruce Crum
With Syria in turmoil, Lebanon remains at risk -- David Hirst, The Guardian
China's show trial harms the party by showing too much -- Minxin Pei, The National
The real danger for South Africa after Lonmin mine shooting -- Scott Baldauf, Christian Science Monitor
Africa is booming as renaissance finally gets under way -- Dan O'Brien, Irish Times
A Russian farce over a punk rock band -- Washington Post editorial
Despite an Anti-Sarkozy Agenda, Hollande Imitates His Predecessor on Security -- Bruce Crumley, Time
Looking for terrorism in all the wrong places -- Leonard Pitts Jr., McClatchy News/The Miami Herald
Obama turns back the clock on Guantanamo -- Baher Azmy, Washington Post
For Europe’s Economy, a Lost Decade Looms -- Jack Ewing, New York Times
Looming 'fiscal cliff' is hurting US economy now, economists warn -- Mark Trumbull, Christian Science Monitor
China's show trial harms the party by showing too much -- Minxin Pei, The National
The real danger for South Africa after Lonmin mine shooting -- Scott Baldauf, Christian Science Monitor
Africa is booming as renaissance finally gets under way -- Dan O'Brien, Irish Times
A Russian farce over a punk rock band -- Washington Post editorial
Despite an Anti-Sarkozy Agenda, Hollande Imitates His Predecessor on Security -- Bruce Crumley, Time
Looking for terrorism in all the wrong places -- Leonard Pitts Jr., McClatchy News/The Miami Herald
Obama turns back the clock on Guantanamo -- Baher Azmy, Washington Post
For Europe’s Economy, a Lost Decade Looms -- Jack Ewing, New York Times
Looming 'fiscal cliff' is hurting US economy now, economists warn -- Mark Trumbull, Christian Science Monitor