Deborah Amos http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2100182&ft=1&f=2100182 Deborah Amos covers the Middle East for NPR News. Her reports can be heard on NPR's award-winning <em>Morning Edition</em>, <em>All Things Considered</em> and <em>Weekend Edition</em>. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Wed, 15 May 2013 13:36:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Deborah Amos http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2100182&ft=1&f=2100182 Teaching The Rules Of War In Syria's Vicious Conflict War crimes are increasingly defining the conflict in Syria. But a recent workshop for opposition fighters held in southern Turkey hopes to teach them international humanitarian law that helps them be "Fighters Not Killers." Wed, 15 May 2013 13:36:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/05/14/183964565/teaching-the-rules-of-war-in-syrias-vicious-conflict?ft=1&f=2100182 http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/05/14/183964565/teaching-the-rules-of-war-in-syrias-vicious-conflict?ft=1&f=2100182 War crimes are increasingly defining the conflict in Syria. But a recent workshop for opposition fighters held in southern Turkey hopes to teach them international humanitarian law that helps them be "Fighters Not Killers."

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]]> Diplomats Hope Syrian Rebels' Losses Promote Collaboration Syrian rebels are on the defensive these days, losing ground to new offensives by government troops. Western diplomats are hopeful the rebel losses will persuade their leaders to attend an international conference being organized by the U.S. and Russia to chart a path to peace in the blood-soaked country. Host Scott Simon speaks with NPR's Deb Amos. Sat, 11 May 2013 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/11/183072413/diplomats-hope-syrian-rebels-losses-promote-collaboration?ft=1&f=2100182 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/11/183072413/diplomats-hope-syrian-rebels-losses-promote-collaboration?ft=1&f=2100182 Syrian rebels are on the defensive these days, losing ground to new offensives by government troops. Western diplomats are hopeful the rebel losses will persuade their leaders to attend an international conference being organized by the U.S. and Russia to chart a path to peace in the blood-soaked country. Host Scott Simon speaks with NPR's Deb Amos.

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]]> With Rebels In Disarray, Syrian Regime Appears Confident Analysts explain that Assad defines victory as holding on to key territory, including Damascus, and they say Assad's goal is to stay in place until 2014, as he said he would, to run in a presidential election. The overall commander of the Free Syrian Army says his rebels are getting hammered by the regime in the south because arms shipments stopped over a month ago. Fri, 10 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=182938650&ft=1&f=2100182 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=182938650&ft=1&f=2100182 Analysts explain that Assad defines victory as holding on to key territory, including Damascus, and they say Assad's goal is to stay in place until 2014, as he said he would, to run in a presidential election. The overall commander of the Free Syrian Army says his rebels are getting hammered by the regime in the south because arms shipments stopped over a month ago.

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]]> U.S. Point Man On Syria Meets With Rebels Inside Syria Ambassador Robert Ford crossed into northern Syria on Wednesday. The secret visit was confirmed by Syrian activists at the media office at the Bab al-Salama crossing on the Turkish frontier. Fri, 10 May 2013 05:43:56 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/10/182761317/u-s-point-man-on-syria-meets-with-rebels-inside-syria?ft=1&f=2100182 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/10/182761317/u-s-point-man-on-syria-meets-with-rebels-inside-syria?ft=1&f=2100182 Ambassador Robert Ford crossed into northern Syria on Wednesday. The secret visit was confirmed by Syrian activists at the media office at the Bab al-Salama crossing on the Turkish frontier.

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]]> Top U.S. Official Meets With Rebels Inside Syria Ambassador Robert Ford, the State Department's point man on Syrian policy, met with the head of the Aleppo military council on Wednesday. Syrian rebels thanked him for the delivery of some 65,000 MREs. Both the visit and the shipment appear to be a sign of support for Gen. Salim Idriss, the rebels' commander. Thu, 09 May 2013 17:07:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/09/182665171/top-u-s-official-meets-with-rebels-inside-syria?ft=1&f=2100182 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/09/182665171/top-u-s-official-meets-with-rebels-inside-syria?ft=1&f=2100182 Ambassador Robert Ford, the State Department's point man on Syrian policy, met with the head of the Aleppo military council on Wednesday. Syrian rebels thanked him for the delivery of some 65,000 MREs. Both the visit and the shipment appear to be a sign of support for Gen. Salim Idriss, the rebels' commander.

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]]> Thousands Of Syrians Ride Buses To Refugee Camps <em>Morning Edition</em> rides along with Andrew Harper of the UNHCR to the Syrian border. Roughly 3,000 Syrians each day wait for buses to take them to refugee camps in Jordan. Mon, 06 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/06/181530768/syrians-bused-to-jordanian-refugee-camps?ft=1&f=2100182 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/06/181530768/syrians-bused-to-jordanian-refugee-camps?ft=1&f=2100182 Morning Edition rides along with Andrew Harper of the UNHCR to the Syrian border. Roughly 3,000 Syrians each day wait for buses to take them to refugee camps in Jordan.

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]]> As Syria Melts Down, Ice Cream Shop Sets Up In Jordan The Bakdash ice cream parlor has been a landmark in the Syrian capital Damascus for more than a century. But after two years of war, the owners have set up a new shop in Amman, Jordan, home to many Syrian refugees. Sat, 04 May 2013 06:02:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/04/180927899/as-syria-melts-down-ice-cream-shop-sets-up-in-jordan?ft=1&f=2100182 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/04/180927899/as-syria-melts-down-ice-cream-shop-sets-up-in-jordan?ft=1&f=2100182 The Bakdash ice cream parlor has been a landmark in the Syrian capital Damascus for more than a century. But after two years of war, the owners have set up a new shop in Amman, Jordan, home to many Syrian refugees.

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]]> Sea Of Syrian Refugees Threatens To Overload Jordan More than half a million refugees have crossed into Jordan, and the number is expected to rise rapidly. Jordanian officials say the influx is threatening the stability of the kingdom. Thu, 02 May 2013 15:59:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/02/180595881/sea-of-syrian-refugees-threatens-to-overload-jordan?ft=1&f=2100182 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/02/180595881/sea-of-syrian-refugees-threatens-to-overload-jordan?ft=1&f=2100182 More than half a million refugees have crossed into Jordan, and the number is expected to rise rapidly. Jordanian officials say the influx is threatening the stability of the kingdom.

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]]> 'It's Not Normal': Syrian War Transforms Lives The war in Syria has torn families apart and driven millions out of the country, but it has also transformed some Syrians as they take on roles they never imagined. A 26-year-old woman from Homs has put her dream of teaching English literature on hold as she works with the opposition. Tue, 09 Apr 2013 15:20:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/09/176615619/its-not-normal-syrian-war-transforms-lives?ft=1&f=2100182 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/09/176615619/its-not-normal-syrian-war-transforms-lives?ft=1&f=2100182 The war in Syria has torn families apart and driven millions out of the country, but it has also transformed some Syrians as they take on roles they never imagined. A 26-year-old woman from Homs has put her dream of teaching English literature on hold as she works with the opposition.

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]]> Syrian Financial Capital's Loss Is Turkey's Gain Aleppo was once the financial heart of Syria. But as the country's revolt grinds on, many of the city's most innovative businessmen have moved to the Turkish border town of Gaziantep. An estimated 150,000 Syrians are there — some of whom are putting down roots — raising questions about Aleppo's future. Fri, 29 Mar 2013 03:03:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/29/175622297/syrian-financial-capitals-loss-is-turkeys-gain?ft=1&f=2100182 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/29/175622297/syrian-financial-capitals-loss-is-turkeys-gain?ft=1&f=2100182 Aleppo was once the financial heart of Syria. But as the country's revolt grinds on, many of the city's most innovative businessmen have moved to the Turkish border town of Gaziantep. An estimated 150,000 Syrians are there — some of whom are putting down roots — raising questions about Aleppo's future.

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]]> Syrian Aid Groups Train An Army Of Activists More than 100 private aid groups have emerged since the uprising began, and many activists say the experience they've gained will be valuable in rebuilding the country. Tue, 26 Mar 2013 03:24:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/26/175265267/syrian-aid-groups-train-an-army-of-activists?ft=1&f=2100182 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/26/175265267/syrian-aid-groups-train-an-army-of-activists?ft=1&f=2100182 More than 100 private aid groups have emerged since the uprising began, and many activists say the experience they've gained will be valuable in rebuilding the country.

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]]> Syrian Opposition Poised To Vote On Interim Government Syria's political opposition is meeting in Istanbul this week to choose a rebel government, despite opposition from the Obama administration. The vote has been postponed twice because of internal tensions over naming a rival government to Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime. Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:33:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/03/18/174628596/syrian-opposition-poised-to-vote-on-interim-government?ft=1&f=2100182 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/03/18/174628596/syrian-opposition-poised-to-vote-on-interim-government?ft=1&f=2100182 Syria's political opposition is meeting in Istanbul this week to choose a rebel government, despite opposition from the Obama administration. The vote has been postponed twice because of internal tensions over naming a rival government to Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime.

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]]> Courts Become A Battleground For Secularists, Islamists In Syria Islamist brigades are competing with pro-democracy civilians to shape Syria's future. In many areas in rebel-held northern Syria, Islamists have set up religious courts that deliver rulings under Shariah, or Islamic law. Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:55:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/14/174327447/courts-become-a-battleground-for-secularists-islamists-in-syria?ft=1&f=2100182 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/14/174327447/courts-become-a-battleground-for-secularists-islamists-in-syria?ft=1&f=2100182 Islamist brigades are competing with pro-democracy civilians to shape Syria's future. In many areas in rebel-held northern Syria, Islamists have set up religious courts that deliver rulings under Shariah, or Islamic law.

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]]> Syrian Cyber-Rebel Wages War, One Hack At A Time A 28-year-old computer wizard known as the Harvester, along with his online rebel friends, have hacked into a pro-regime TV station as part of their ongoing battle against the government's electronic army. Wed, 13 Mar 2013 04:28:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/13/174121130/syrian-cyber-rebel-wages-war-one-hack-at-a-time?ft=1&f=2100182 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/13/174121130/syrian-cyber-rebel-wages-war-one-hack-at-a-time?ft=1&f=2100182 A 28-year-old computer wizard known as the Harvester, along with his online rebel friends, have hacked into a pro-regime TV station as part of their ongoing battle against the government's electronic army.

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]]> In Ancient Aleppo, Plotting The Future In a rare test of democracy, a soft-spoken, 31-year-old aid worker won a seat on the Aleppo provincial council in a vote held on March 3 in neighboring Turkey. Abdul Rahman Kahir won top votes for his work organizing aid distributions in the Syrian city. Sun, 10 Mar 2013 05:53:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/03/10/173836940/in-ancient-aleppo-plotting-the-future?ft=1&f=2100182 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/03/10/173836940/in-ancient-aleppo-plotting-the-future?ft=1&f=2100182 In a rare test of democracy, a soft-spoken, 31-year-old aid worker won a seat on the Aleppo provincial council in a vote held on March 3 in neighboring Turkey. Abdul Rahman Kahir won top votes for his work organizing aid distributions in the Syrian city.

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