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Deborah Amos Deborah Amos covers the Middle East for NPR News. Her reports can be heard on NPR's award-winning Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Weekend Edition.
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Deborah Amos

Middle East

Syrian Opposition Fears Waning Western Support

After prodding the Syrian opposition to reorganize into a more inclusive organization, the Obama administration has failed to support the group. France, Britain and other allies of the opposition are channeling their humanitarian aid for Syria through the new coalition. There is a legal impediment holding up U.S. action.

Syrian Opposition Fears Waning Western Support

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Middle East

Local Opposition Councils Act As Government In Parts Of Syria

Now that the U.S. and more than 100 other countries have recognized Syria's opposition coalition, the dynamics are changing for local councils in provinces under rebel control. These councils are going to get money and become humanitarian aid organization and now they have to figure out how to deliver 1,200 tons of bread a day for a population of 6 million people in Aleppo province. Melissa Block talks to Deborah Amos.

Local Opposition Councils Act As Government In Parts Of Syria

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Middle East

Syrian Army Said To Be Readying Chemical Weapons

Syrian officials deny having a chemical stockpile and insist they would never use it if they did. But a Syrian general, who defected earlier this year, confirms the chemical stockpile. He knows where the chemicals are stored, and he says rebel groups have been close to the stockpiles in and around Aleppo.

Syrian Army Said To Be Readying Chemical Weapons

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Rebels Making Gains In Syria Conflict

In Syria, the rebels are beginning to make inroads against Bashar Assad's regime. The heaviest fighting has been centered around the country's international airport in Damascus.

Rebels Making Gains In Syria Conflict

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U.S. Steps Up Aid (But No Arms) To Syrian Exiles

Rajiv Shah (left), the head of USAID, speaks with children during a visit at the Oncupinar Syrian refugee camp in Turkey, near the Syrian border, on Nov. 27. Adem Altan/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Adem Altan/AFP/Getty Images

World

U.S. Steps Up Aid (But No Arms) To Syrian Exiles

The U.S. is emphasizing the assistance it provides to Syrian refugees, but the Obama administration is still not showing any signs that it's prepared to arm the rebels.

U.S. Steps Up Aid (But No Arms) To Syrian Exiles

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Middle East

Damascus Remains Cut Off By Fighting

For a second day, the Syrian capital, Damascus is cut off from the outside world, with the international airport shut, the Internet down and mobile phone lines working sporadically. There are reports of fierce clashes around the capital and heavy airstrikes in the capital's suburbs and in the northern city of Aleppo.

Damascus Remains Cut Off By Fighting

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Middle East

Rebel Forces Make Major Gains In Syria

In Syria, a top rebel leader says preparations for the "battle of Damascus" have begun. Speaking from his headquarters in northern Syria, the colonel, who defected seven months ago, says the rebels have had a number of battlefield successes over the past month from capturing key military bases in several parts of Syria. He says the rebels now have enough weapons that they've seized from government bases. Military analysts say the balance is tipping in the rebel's favor. Robert Siegel talks to Deborah Amos.

Rebel Forces Make Major Gains In Syria

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Middle East

Syrians Struggle To Transform Country Locally

In northern Syria, near the Turkish border, Bashar al-Assad's army has already been forced out by rebel forces. Now the town of Jerablus faces new challenges: a lack of support from the international community, buildings still in ruins and a flood of refugees.

Syrians Struggle To Transform Country Locally

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National

Subway Is Closed, But New Yorkers Are Moving Again

In New York City, early estimates for fixing the damage to the mass transit system are already in the billions. But New Yorkers used to zipping around the city in subways are thrilled to get even limited bus service back after the devastating storm.

Subway Is Closed, But New Yorkers Are Moving Again

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Superstorm Sandy: Before, During And Beyond

Sandy Floods New York City's Subway System

The New York City subway system remained closed on Tuesday in the wake of Sandy. Millions of gallons of water poured into the subway's tunnels, overwhelming its pump system.

Sandy Floods New York City's Subway System

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Syrian-American Doctors Head To The Battle Zone

Local Syrian doctors prepare to treat a patient in a field hospital in Aldana, Syria, near the Turkish border. Each day, local and expatriate doctors take big risks to treat the wounded in rebel-held areas. Deborah Amos/NPR hide caption

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Inside Syria

Syrian-American Doctors Head To The Battle Zone

The Syrian American Medical Society is quietly providing aid inside the embattled country. Some doctors see a series of "relatively safe" towns along the Turkish border as a place to begin rebuilding Syria's decimated health care system.

Syrian-American Doctors Head To The Battle Zone

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Middle East

A Syrian Village Is Oasis Of Calm Amid Conflict

The Syrian helicopter gunships and fighter planes that regularly strike villages nearby don't fly over Kfar Ghan. Turkey warned that any Syrian military aircraft near the border would be a target. The difference from the rest of Syria is evident: The shops are open, and there are kids on the street and a crowd of shoppers.

A Syrian Village Is Oasis Of Calm Amid Conflict

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Middle East

Syria Plunges Into Another Week Of Deep Violence

NPR's Deb Amos has the latest from the Syrian conflict where heavy fighting continued throughout last week in the country's two largest cities, Damascus and Aleppo. There is still no sign of any movement on the diplomatic front.

Syria Plunges Into Another Week Of Deep Violence

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As Fighting Rages, A Prisoner Swap In Syria

The daily fighting in Syria included this gun battle Wednesday involving rebels in the northern city of Aleppo. Still, the rival sides recently worked out a prisoner swap in which two women were freed from state custody, while the rebels released seven pro-government fighters. James Lawler Duggan/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Middle East

As Fighting Rages, A Prisoner Swap In Syria

The Syrian government and the rebels communicate mostly by shooting at each other. But in a rare prisoner exchange, the government frees two women, and rebels release seven pro-regime fighters.

As Fighting Rages, A Prisoner Swap In Syria

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A Syrian Defector Confronts A Sectarian Divide

Syria's ongoing fighting is increasingly a sectarian conflict with the majority Sunni Muslims facing off against the Alawites who make up most of the country's ruling elite. Here, government opponents rally in the northern town of Mareh on June 29. Vedat Xhymshit/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Middle East

A Syrian Defector Confronts A Sectarian Divide

The fighting in Syria often pits Sunni Muslims, who make up a large majority of the population, versus Alawites, who control many leadership positions. An Alawite who joined the anti-government forces finds he is sometimes viewed with suspicion.

A Syrian Defector Confronts A Sectarian Divide

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