Two Months of Silence and Now This?
NEWS FROM SYRIA: Out with the jokes, out with the arrogant posture. In with nervousness, in with technical detail. It’s the ‘same old, same old’ – in a word ‘denial’.
People Strike Back: Syrian Activists Take Up Arms
NEWS FROM SYRIA: Syrian forces are facing armed resistance for the first time. Will this provide the government with an opportunity to ‘divide and conquer’?
A Glimpse Behind Syria’s Curtain of Secrecy
SYRIA NEWS WIRE: There is real fear of the regime but also a great fear about a possible descent into sectarian chaos without it.
Citizen Journalists Provide Main Reporting on Syria
SYRIA NEWS WIRE: With well-respected wire journalists expelled by the authorities in Damascus the only on-the-ground reports that are emerging are via mobile phones and YouTube. There’s much room for speculation and rumour.
Heavy Handed Action Fans Flames in Syria
SYRIA NEWS WIRE: There is a great danger that in failing to recognise local grievances, Syrian authorities will set in motion a movement that takes its inspiration from Tunisia and Egypt.
Reform Not Regime Change is What Syria Needs
SYRIA NEWS WIRE: Much heat and little light has been generated by the protests in Syria but authorities shouldn’t be panicked by the reasonable demands.
#iheartsyria: A New Hashtag That Has Hit A Nerve
SYRIA NEWS WIRE: Tweeting positive stuff about Syria is a depressing business – I seem to hit a reflexive ‘kick me’. That’s why the success of this new hashtag came as a bit of a surprise…
The Vogue-Assad Controversy: A View from Syria
SYRIA NEWS WIRE: Vogue has responded to the controversy caused by its profile of Asma al-Assad. There’s hypocrisy in the charges being laid at her door.
Bad Timing For Vogue’s Syrian First Lady Splash
NEWS FROM SYRIA: As the region seethes Vogue magazine provides us all with a moment of diversion. It’s unlikely to do the Assads any favours.
Ambassadors not a ‘reward’ for good deeds done
SYRIA NEWS WIRE: Richard Grenell has attacked President Obama for appointing an ambassador to Syria. The attack though is littered with factual inaccuracies.
Is Hariri’s Brief Political Career Drawing to a Close?
SYRIA NEWS WIRE: Following Hizbollah’s withdrawal from the unity government, what is next for Prime Minister Hariri?