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Wednesday

Who Are Syria's Friends And Why Are They Supporting Assad?

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets his Syrian counterpart, Bashar Assad, in Moscow on Dec. 19, 2006. Russia --€” along with China and Iran --€” has remained a steadfast ally of Assad amid calls for international intervention in Syria. Mikhail Klimentyev/AP hide caption

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Mikhail Klimentyev/AP

Parallels

Who Are Syria's Friends And Why Are They Supporting Assad?

Russia, China and Iran are Syrian President Bashar Assad's closest allies. The reasons for their support of his government vary, ranging from trade and strategy to a fear of instability if Assad is toppled.

Thursday

In Familiar Refrain, Syria Faces Criticism, Not Intervention

A Syrian man protesting an alleged chemical weapons attack in his homeland holds up a placard Wednesday in front of the United Nations offices in Beirut. Hussein Malla/AP hide caption

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Hussein Malla/AP

Parallels

In Familiar Refrain, Syria Faces Criticism, Not Intervention

The West is facing renewed pressure to take stronger action following claims that the Syrian regime used chemical weapons in an attack on Wednesday. But the U.S. and other Western countries have so far sought to limit their involvement in the Syrian conflict.

Sunday

Syrian Troops Target Key Rebel-Held Town

Syrians inspect Saturday the rubble of buildings damaged by government airstrikes in Qusair, Syria. The image was provided by Qusair Lens, and was authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting. ASSOCIATED AP hide caption

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ASSOCIATED AP

The Two-Way

Syrian Troops Target Key Rebel-Held Town

Qusair is a strategically important town that lies between Homs, where the Syrian uprising began two years ago, and the Lebanese border. If President Bashar Assad's troops – reportedly backed by Hezbollah fighters — regain the town, they would control an important route from the coast to the capital, Damascus.

Sunday

Sunday

Only Syrians Can Tell President When To Go, Assad Says

Syrian President Bashar Assad speaks at the Opera House in Damascus, Syria, on Jan. 6. In an interview with Britain's Sunday Times, Assad said that only the Syrian people can tell him when to go. SANA/AP hide caption

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SANA/AP

The Two-Way

Only Syrians Can Tell President When To Go, Assad Says

The comments were made in an interview with Britain's Sunday Times. The Syrian leader's remarks come less than a week after the U.S. announced more direct aid to rebels battling Bashar Assad's regime.

Sunday

Syrian Activist's Offer Of Talks With Assad Draws Mixed Response

Activists in the town of Saraqib, Syria, hold a poster that reads, "Sheikh Moaz al Khatib represents me." Courtesy of Mahmoud Bakkour hide caption

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Courtesy of Mahmoud Bakkour

The Two-Way

Syrian Activist's Offer Of Talks With Assad Draws Mixed Response

Activist Moaz al Khatib said he was open to talks with representatives of the Syrian regime under certain conditions. Criticism from within Khatib's own ranks was swift, but so was support form Syrians both inside and out of the country.

Tuesday