Syria

Russia Says Syria Will Attend Geneva Peace Talks - NYTimes.com

Is Bashar al-Assad winning the civil war in Syria? - Telegraph

Bashar al-Assad makes small but strategic gains in Syrian civil war - National Post

Israel, in reassessment, thinks Syria’s Bashar Assad will last awhile - MiamiHerald.com

Syria army can conduct successful operations at will: Germany’s BND - PressTV

Rebel Leaders Ask for Weapons from the West, The FSA could lose its fight against the regime of Assad within a few months, warns Idriss - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Saudi officials meets the Free Syrian Army’s Higher Military Command - TIME.com

Details on Syrian opposition's talks in Turkey - Hassan Hassan

Syria army says rebels trapped in Al-Qusayr's north - AFP

Al-Akhbar takes a close look at the Syrian army’s movements on the ground in Qusayr - Al Akhbar English

VIDEO: Russian state TV with Syrian troops in Qusayr - LiveLeak.com

Clashes in Lebanon’s Tripoli kills 23, says security source - Alarabiya.net 

VIDEO: FireFight During Night In Tripoli Lebanon - LiveLeak.com

Syrian state media: Rebels attack prison in northern city, leaving casualties among inmates - Fox News

Syria says Israeli vehicle entered its territory and was targeted heading to a rebel village - The Washington Post

Russian journalists have proof Syrian terrorists used chemical weapons - SyriaNews

ITV News Twitter account hacked by Syrian Electronic Army - Yahoo! News

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Obama to narrow focus of the "global" war on terrorism - The Boston Globe

VIDEO: Obama: The global war on terror, "like all wars, must end" - CBS News Video

Obama’s six-point plan to wind down the ‘war on terror' - washingtonpost

Biden, Maliki discuss importance of negotiated end to Syria conflict - KUNA

Discord Over Iran Role Shows Hurdles to Peace Talks on Syria - Businessweek

Iran dismisses claims about military presence in Syria - PressTV

Austria Wants EU Arms Embargo to Syria Extended - ABC News

EU must extend Syria arms embargo, Oxfam says - Alarabiya.net

Syria: Arab League Must 'Apologize' before Peace Role - Naharnet

Tensions Rise Between Iraqi, Syrian-Kurdish Parties - Al-Monitor

Syria Kurdish parties trade blames - Kurdpress News Aganecy

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

Wall Street Journal Urges War on Syria

by Stephen Lendman

Perhaps publishing it was strategically timed. It comes with John Kerry in the Middle East. He'll be there through Sunday.

He met with foreign ministers of 11 so-called Friends of Syria countries and opposition group representatives. In Jerusalem, he discussed Syria with Netanyahu. 

Syrian opposition announces the creation of a military council of all the commanders of the groups fighting in Qusayr including Al Nusra -  Al Akhbar

The Battle for Qusayr: What Victory in Syria’s Latest Front Means for the War, Al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra has more than 2000 fighters there - TIME.com

VIDEO: Big groups of Syrian rebels heading to Qusayr for support - YouTube

Syrian army starts 2nd phase of Qusayr operation - alalam.ir

Battle for Qusayr: Syria Says Rebels’ Supply Routes Totally Cut - almanar.com

Lebanon Clashes Between Syria-Linked Alawites And Sunnis Kill At Least 6 - AFP

Young Lebanese rebel fighters leaving Syria for battle closer to home - The Washington Post

Lebanese Politics Affected By Syrian Battle for Qusair - Al-Monitor

Fighters primarily from Lebanon, Iran and Iraq, Enter Syria to Defend Shiites - Wall Street Journal 

Golan Heats Up as Front Line Between Syria and Israel - Al-Monitor

General says Israel poised for war on Syria if Assad falls, to prevent advanced weapons reaching jihadi rebels or Hezbollah guerrillas - Chicago Tribune

SNC asks for UN humanitarian aid corridor in Syria - World Bulletin

Arab League seeks Syria ceasefire - Oman Observer

Assad Meets Tunisian Delegation, Stresses Role of Arab Powers to Face Extremists, Takfiris - almanar.com

Syrian churches 'desperate', 'exhausted" - christiantoday.com

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Turkish officer in custody over leaks on Reyhanlı attack, Gendarmarie documents claimed that Al Nusra was planning a car bomb attack in Turkey - hurriyetdaily

Peace and Democracy Party Kürkçü Submits Official Inquiry to Turkey Interior Minister on RedHack Cables - Bianet / English

Redhack blog: Turkish Government tries to hide their responsibility for the bombings in Reyhanli by arresting innocent soldiers - redhack.tumblr.com

Redhack blog: Turkish Intelligence Services was aware of the bombs exploded in Reyhanli - redhack.tumblr.com

Turkey's MİT called off police prior to Hatay blasts - todayszaman

Turkey to build wall on border with Syria - APA

Syria's Civil War Fuels Violence in Iraq, Analysts say al-Qaida-linked militants are flowing back and forth from both countries (VIDEO) - VOA

Iraq launches counter-terrorism campaign along Syria border - Mawtani

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Obama meets Russian top security official who delivered Putin' letter, reaffirms his intent to strengthen US-Russia partnership - Voice of Russia

Erdogan deeply disappointed by the meeting with Obama - middleeastmonitor.com

Kerry pushes Europe to amend arms embargo on Syrian rebels- guardian.co.uk

Exclusive: U.S. State Dep To Bring Chemical Weapons Witnesses Out Of Syria - The Daily Beast

On Syria Chemical Weapons, UN's Angela Kane Has Russian Reporter Popova's Information, Prober Ake Sellstrom Next - Inner City Press

Scowcroft Argues for Diplomacy, Not Arming Rebels in Syria or Establishing a No-fly Zone - Washington Wire - WSJ

Syria opposition's Khatib proposes Assad "safe exit" AFP

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

Syria opposition calls for for rebels across the country to send reinforcements in embattled Qusair - reuters.com

FSA Tawhid Brigade in Aleppo sends 300 support units to al-Qusayr - Anadolu Agency

Idriss to Washington Post: Free Syria Army has just received a new shipment of 35 tons of weapons from Saudi Arabia - moqawama.org

Syria Gov on the Battle for Qusayr: First Stage Ended Successfully, Second Stage Launched - almanar.com

Hizbullah-Backed Syrian Troops Advance in Northern Qusayr Town - Naharnet

Syrian Army detains Saudi, Qatari officers caught aiding rebel forces in Qusair - World Tribune

Qusayr Battle Far From Over - Al Akhbar English

Friends of Syria demands Hezbollah, Iran fighters withdraw - Yahoo! News

German Intelligence Believes Assad Regime Regaining Lost Power - SPIEGEL ONLINE

This Russian Mobile SAM Site Could Be a Serious Ace Up Syria's Sleeve - gizmodo.com

VIDEO: Intercepted Radio Conversations Gives An Insight Into The Fighting In Qusayr - Brown Moses Blog

Sectarian violence over Syria war rages in Lebanon's Tripoli - Yahoo! News

Attacks against Lebanese Alawites deepen fears - wwlp.com

The Jihadist Threat to Lebanon - Al-Monitor

UN: Fighting displaces 70-80% of Palestinians in Syria - AFP

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Sec’y of State Kerry says US, allies ready to step up aid to Syrian opposition in the event that the Assad regime is unwilling to negotiate - The Washington Post

Syria's Reaction to Proposed Peace Talks 'Constructive', Says Lavrov — Naharnet

Syrian Opposition’s Stance On Peace Talks ‘Not Reassuring’ - Lavrov - RIA Novosti

FSA chief Idriss says he would not attend the Geneva peace conference: "It's not valuable to go to negotiations when we are weak on the ground" - Washington Post

Kerry Mideast Talks on Syria to Include Russian Call for Involving Iran - VOA

UK sees no Syria peace deal with Assad in place - AFP

UK: EU Should Be Ready To Change Syria Arms Embargo To Pressure Assad - WSJ.com

Austria Ordered the Peacekeepers to Withdraw from Golan if EU Arms Initiated Syrian Revolts - Austrian Tribune

France says Syria's Assad must give up power to end war - Reuters

Qatar PM says Assad departure a must for Syria peace - AFP

US Syria Arms Bill Real Bad For Russia - Business Insider

British politician compares London machete attack to U.K. policy in Syria, Killer: “The only reasons we have done this is because Muslims are dying every day" - washingtonpost.com

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Hacker Group Redhack Releases Alleged Turkey's Gendarmerie Intelligence Unit Cables on Reyhanlı, Al Nusra Suspected to be Related to the Blasts - Bianet

PHOTOS: Photos of the gendarmerie’s Reyhanlı attack document - CyberGuerrilla soApboX

Turkey shuts Syria border crossing after deadly bombs - Yahoo! News

Syria: 10,000 people at the gates of Turkey - Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) International

Turkey and Saudi Arabia reiterated their common understanding on the civil war in Syria - hurriyetdailynews.com

Iraqi forces dismantle cell linked to Jabhat al-Nusra in Syria - Mawtani

Al Nusra leader in hiding after disputed merger - Worldnews.com

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

Israel Heads Closer to War on Syria

by Stephen Lendman

Syria is Washington's war. It was planned years ago. It began in early 2011. No end of conflict looks near. Escalating it appears likely.

Israel's very much involved. It abhors peace and stability. Its history reflects belligerence. It’s a direct threat. It borders Syria. 

Syrian and Hezbollah Fighters Push Qusayr Assault - NYTimes.com

Hezbollah sends new fighters to bloody Syria battle - Yahoo!7

Syria: Turning Point in the Battle of Qusayr - Al Akhbar English

FSA Warns Shiite/Alawite Towns Will Be Wiped Out if Qusair Falls to Government Troops, “We don’t want this to happen, but it will be a reality imposed on everyone” - Bloomberg

VIDEO (Arabic): FSA Colonel: Shiite/ Alawite Villages Will be Wiped Out if Qusair Falls - YouTube

Syria: Main al-Nusra Front commander killed in Qusayr clashes - PressTV

State Dep official: Iranians joining Hezbollah in key Syria battle, His information was based on reports from FSA commanders - AFP

Footage from rebels shows Iranian munitions in Syria - The Times of Israel

U.K. Pushes EU Blacklisting of Hezbollah Military Wing - WSJ.com

Tripoli braces for the worst as fighting enters fourth day - THE DAILY STAR

Baalbek residents back Hezbollah in Qusair fight - THE DAILY STAR

Israeli military chief issues stark warning after Syria, Israel trade fire across border - Fox News

Syrian army says captured Israeli Jeep is proof of aid to rebels - FRANCE 24

VIDEO: Israeli Jeep Used by FSA Terrorists Found in Qusayr by the Syrian Army - YouTube

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UN mediator: Syria government, rebels preparing for peace talks - NBC World News

Syria submits five names for possible peace talks - AFP

Syria Opposition Signals Tough Line on Peace Talks - ABC News

Syrian National Coalition to partake in 'Friends of Syria' talks - Ammon News

Iran wants in on Syria peace conference - AFP

Turkey's green light to Iran role in Syria talks a welcome step - todayszaman

Lavrov warns of hidden obstacles in upcoming conference on Syria - Russia Beyond The Headlines

Russia's Lavrov on Solving Syria through Diplomacy (Text of Interview) - Informed Comment

Top Russian security official visits US, He will deliver Putin’s response to a letter Obama sent in April - RT Russian politics

US President Obama to visit Russia with the Syrian crisis expected to top the agenda - hurriyetdailynews.com

Senate panel delivers bipartisan rebuke to Obama with vote to arm Syrian rebels - The Hill's Global Affairs

Armed, Bearded Syrians Flourish In Southern Turkey  - al-monitor.com

Three Chemical Weapon Specialist Answer Questions About Chemical Weapons In Syria - Brown Moses Blog

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Tensions Rise as Barzani Closes Syrian-Iraqi Kurdistan Border - Al-Monitor

Barzani warns PYD over its Syria policy in deepening row - todayszaman

Border Arrests Reveal Disunity, Conflict Among Syrian Kurds - Al-Monitor

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

Battle in Syria Pulls Hezbollah Further Into Assad’s War - NYTimes.com

Obama voices concern to Lebanon on Hezbollah role in Syria - Reuters

Syria Says the Army Restores Security and Stability to Most of al-Qseir in Homs- SANA, Syria

Idriss says Free Syrian Army well armed and determined to defend the city, warns Lebanon to restrain Hezbollah - THE DAILY STAR

Senior Hizbullah Official Killed in Syria Fighting - Israel National News

FSA: Mustafa Badreddine Leading Hizbullah Operations in Qusayr — Naharnet

Hariri slams state inaction over Hezbollah role in Syria - THE DAILY STAR

Tensions over Syria convulse Lebanese city again, 5 killed - Reuters

Attacks kill 95 in Iraq, hint of Syrian spillover - Yahoo! News

Iraqi campaign boosts Iraq-Syria border security - Al-Shorfa

Tribal and Islamist clashes in Syria reveal deep divisions - The National

Syria's Raqa opposition chief kidnapped, NGO says - afp

Video shows Syrian Islamists flogging men over illegal marriage - Yahoo! News

VIDEO: Sharia in Syria - whipping of men - LiveLeak.com

VIDEO: Evidence Of Iranian Arms Provided To Syria In The Past 18 Months - Brown Moses Blog

VIDEO: Syria crisis: 'Iraqi Shia fighters' join regime in battle - BBC News

VIDEO: Syria's makeshift oil refineries: 'It is like hell' –  guardian.co.uk

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Friends of Syria to push for peace conference - AFP

Russia: Assad foes must come to Syria meeting without conditions - Reuters

Syria top priority as Saudi crown prince visits Turkey - Alarabiya.net

William Hague hints at veto of Syria arms ban - FT.com

Syrian opposition meets in Madrid over conflict - AFP

Syria, Russia, and the S-300: Military and Technical Background - canadafreepress.co

VIDEO: The coalition of peaceful change forces welcomes peace initative for Syria - YouTube

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

Syrian Army, Hezbollah Move Into Rebel-Held Qusayr - NYTimes.com

Benjamin Netanyahu threatens more Israeli strikes on Syria - Telegraph

Syria ready to unleash missiles on Tel Aviv if attacked by Israel - The Sunday Times

VIDEO: Syrian TV coverage of Army's Military Operations to Retake the Key City of Qusayr  - YouTube

VIDEO: Rebels film Qusayr under bombardment - YouTube

VIDEO: FSA Casualties in the Battle of Al-Qusayr - YouTube

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EU decision to lift Syrian oil sanctions boosts jihadist groups - guardian.co.uk

Al-Qaeda plunders Syria's oilfields - Independent.ie

VIDEO: The Telegraph visits the oil fields of Syria - YouTube

Syria: Jabhat al-Nusra split after leader's pledge of support for al-Qaeda - Telegraph

Jabhat al-Nusra - A Strategic Briefing - quilliamfoundation.org

VIDEO: Sharia in Syria - whipping of men - LiveLeak.com

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Time limits on Syria conference ‘counterproductive’ – Lavrov - The Voice of Russia

EU more viable model for Syrian Kurds than Iraq’s Kurdistan: PYD leader Salih Muslim - ekurd

Assad says no info on journalists missing in Syria - AFP

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

Syria's Assad says he won't leave before elections are held in his country - Yahoo! News

VIDEO: Interview: Bashar al-Assad on Syria and the international community – guardian.co.uk

Syrian troops advance in northern, southern areas as rebels storm central towns - Xinhua | English.news.cn

Syrian army thwarts infiltration from Lebanon - AFP

Official: Gunmen abduct father of Syria deputy FM - AFP

Syrian opposition considers sacking its interim PM Hitto - McClatchy

Kurdish Youth Groups in Syria Blame Opposition Parties for Divisions - Rudaw

One Year After the Houla Massacre. New Report on Official vs. Real Truth - globalresearch.ca 

Was The Attack In Saraqeb Chemical Weapons, Or Something Else (VIDEOS)? - Brown Moses Blog

VIDEO: Saudi cannibal rebel in Syria is interviewed, He ate the heart of a soldier - YouTube

VIDEO: The "Osama bin Laden" brigade, It belongs to the Souqour Dimashq (Hawks of Damascus) Battalion of the “Free Syrian Army” - YouTube

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Turkey "softens opposition" to Syria conference, Obama sways Erdogan on Russia-US brokered peace deal - AFP

VIDEO: Angered by Erdogan’ policy towards Syria hundreds of protesters clash with Turkish police near Syrian border - RT News

VIDEO: Turkish citizens blame government negligence for border town blasts - YouTube

US Secretary of Defense : US, Russia "are doing their best to convince the powers in the region to be cautious against any escalation in military options" in Syria- SANA, Syria

Putin sending a letter to Obama,The key message will be that Russia and the US must jointly respond to global challenges - Russia Beyond The Headlines

Assad accuses Israel of providing intelligence to Syrian rebels -  Haaretz Daily Newspaper

Tunisia to reopen its embassy in Syria - Medafrica Times

Lebanon arrests a network smuggling Syrian antiquities - Ya Libnan

Hackers target Saudi government websites - Al Jazeera English

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

Russia provides Syria with advanced missiles, To counter any effort at imposing a naval embargo, establishing a no-fly zone or carrying out limited airstrikes - NYTimes.com

Russia boosts fleet off Syria, A warning to the West and Israel not to intervene in Syria's bloody civil war - WSJ

US general slams Russia for giving Syria anti-ship missiles, calls it an "unfortunate decision that will embolden the regime" - AP

Russia defends weapons shipments to Syria, “There is absolutely no danger that these systems may end up in the hands of Hezbollah" -  latimes.com

Russia has data that Israel targeted Syrian defense facilities in May: Lavrov - Strategic-Culture.org

Syria not a bargaining chip in relations with West : Lavrov - RT Russian politics

Fox News Video Allegedly Shows Israeli Special Forces Returning From A Mission In Syria (VIDEO) - Business Insider

France opposes Syria conference if Iran to attend - Reuters

Turkey's Erdogan says U.N. must decide on any Syria no-fly zone - Reuters

Peacekeepers in Golan Abducted but Released by Rebels - NYTimes.com

Number of Syrian refugees tops 1.5 million mark, says UN agency - United Nations News Centre

Moscow ‘Hopeful’ on Syria Chemical Weapons Inspections, "the Syrian government has expressed readiness - after that place near Aleppo is inspected - to consider requests for inspections in other parts of the country” - RIA Novosti

Financial Times becomes the latest victim of the Syrian Electronic Army as its website and Twitter accounts get hacked - The Next Web

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Qatar bankrolls Syrian revolt with cash and arms, has spent as much as $3bn over the past two years supporting the rebellion - FT.com

How Qatar seized control of the Syrian revolution, Yet it also stands accused of dividing the opposition - FT.com

Insight: Syria's Nusra Front eclipsed by Iraq-based al Qaeda - Reuters

Jabhat al-Nusra and The Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (VIDEOS) - Brown Moses Blog

Vice and virtue police gain foothold in rebel-held territory in Syria to enforce a strict and brutally imposed form of Islamic rule - USAToday

Syrian rebels demand weapons before talks - The Washington Post

Syrian opposition to name new president in Istanbul - hurriyetdailynews.com

Syrian Oil Becomes Fault Line In War, the European Union lifting of the oil embargo on the opposition is likely to stir up Kurdish-Arab strife - aina.org

Syrian grain imports pick up despite worsening war - Ahram Online

Germany fears return of European jihadists in Syria, Up to 700 Europeans are fighting the Assad regime - The Guardian

Iraqis in southern city mourn 2 Shiite fighters killed in Syria - Fox News

Sectarianism in Iraq stoked by Syrian war - The Washington Post

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

Israel Threatens More Syrian Attacks

by Stephen Lendman

May 15 is Nakba Day. It follows Israel's May 14 Independence Day. This year was no exception. 

Clashes erupted across the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel confronts peaceful demonstrations violently. Fundamental human rights are spurned. Rogue governments operate that way.

Obama: Syrian peace talks may yield results, No magic formula to end the civil war - The Hill

Obama says U.S. won't act alone on chemical weapons in Syria - latimes.com

VIDEO: Obama and Erdogan: We both agree that Assad needs to go. He needs to transfer power to a transitional body - YouTube

VIDEO: Obama: I preserve the options of taking additional steps on Syria—both diplomatic and military - www.foxreno.com

Russia: Iran should take part in Syria conference - AFP

West wants to limit participants of coming conference on Syria, to virtually determine result: Lavrov - The Voice of Russia

Lavrov says Russia will send top air-defense system S-300 to Assad - The Times of Israel

Russian warships enter Mediterranean to form permanent task force - RT News

Russia wary of attacks by rebels returning from Syria - Reuters

VIDEO: Lavrov wants all Syrian voices at the table, barring terrorists - Ruptly

EU to block arming of Syrian rebels to give a US-Russian peace initiative time to work - Telegraph

In UN General  Assembly on Syria, 107 Votes Is "Big Loss for Qatar" - Inner City Press

MAP: How the world voted on a U.N. resolution on Syria - washingtonpost.com

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Graph on casualty levels in Syria: there is a definite correlation between the level of monthly casualties and the shipping in of arms to the rebels (GRAPH) - LiveLeak.com

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: 41.000 Alawites killed in Syria, between 34-43 percent of all dead although Alawites only make up 10 percent of the population - abna

Syria Execution Video: Jabhat Al Nusra Jihadists Kill Regime Supporters (VIDEO) - Huffington Post

Syrian troops push back rebels who stormed central prison in northern city of Aleppo - The Washington Post

Syrian rebels launch offensive in south to reverse losses - Reuters

Report: Iran told Nasrallah to prevent Assad downfall 'at all costs' - Ynetnews

CIA head visits Israel to discuss Syria, Iran's nuclear program - Haaretz Daily Newspaper

US sets sanctions on 4 ministers in Assad's government, leader of al-Nusra - Fox News

Iraqi forces bust cell with ties to Jabhat al-Nusra - Al-Shorfa

Syria erects earth mounds along border with Lebanon - THE DAILY STAR

VIDEO: When I met the Syrian rebel who 'ate soldier's heart' - Channel 4 News

VIDEO: Video Of An Unknown Object Reportedly Dropped From A Helicopter During The Alleged Chemical Attack In Saraqeb, Idlid - Brown Moses Blog

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

Israeli Official Signals Possibility of More Syria Strikes, Warning Syria Not to Hit Back - NYTimes.com

Netanyahu to Putin: 'Your missile sales to Assad could trigger war' - The Times of Israel

In meeting with Netanyahu, Putin did not commit not to provide Damascus with S-300 missiles systems - Haaretz Daily Newspaper

Iran's FM: Assad 'Unimpressed' by Israeli Attacks - Israel National News

Report: Iran convinced Assad to allow Hezbollah to attack Israel from Golan, However officials in the Arab world expressed doubt over it - Haaretz Daily Newspaper

Syria: Hezbollah fighters reached the border with Jordan - SyriaNews

The imminent Hezbollah-Nusra war - AFP

Iraqi officials: Extremist groups seek to fuel sectarian conflict in Syria - Mawtani

Hundreds of Turkish students condemn government's Syria policy, clash with police in the capital Ankara - PressTV

PHOTOS: Satellite images show damage caused by alleged Syria strike - JPost 

VIDEO: Syria air strike: Hizbollah TV station broadcast aftermath of Israeli attack - YouTube

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Kerry, Lavrov "very, very hopeful" on Syria peace talks plan - Yahoo! News

UN General  Assembly condemns Assad’s forces, urges support for Syria opposition; Russia opposed - Reuters

Syria UN Envoy Al-Jaafari: Draft Resolution Submitted to General Assembly Seeks to Inflame Situation in Syria - Syrian TV

Syrian opposition not to attend Friends of Syria meeting in Jordan: minister - Xinhua | English.news.cn

Syrian Minister: Removal Of Assad Means Destruction Of Syria - NPR

Obama to Seek $200 Million to Help Jordan With Syrian Refugees - Bloomberg

Iraq: Syrian Refugees' Health Deteriorates at Domeez Camp - Doctors Without Borders

Syrian refugees sell daughters in bid to survive VIDEO - CBS News

Confirming poison gas use in Syria will be tough task - Yahoo! News

Berlin Sees Chemical Weapons As Trigger for Intervention in Syria - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Iraq Then, Syria Now? The New York Times coverage of allegations of chemical weapons use by Syria - FAIR: Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting

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Civilians Come Under Fire From Rebels, Sky's Editor Tim Marshall witnesses a crowd of pro-regime demonstrators being shot at in Damascus VIDEO - Sky News

'He will be punished severely': Free Syrian Army vows to hunt down rebel commander Abu Sakkar filmed eating government soldier's 'heart' - The Independent

Guns and Money Divide Syrian Rebels - The Daily Beast

The Muslim Brotherhood Prepares for a Comeback in Syria - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Iraqi Kurds Reportedly Fighting Among Jihadists in Syria - aina.org

VIDEO: Extended interview with Brown Moses about the Syria jihadist execution video - YouTube

VIDEO: New Rebel Army Forms in Eastern Ghouta led by Jabhat al Nusra and Ahrar al-Sham May-13 - YouTube

VIDEO: Controversy Over Tunisian Jihadists Fighting in Syria - YouTube

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

Anti-Assad Forces: Caught in the Act Again

by Stephen Lendman

Previous articles discussed Washington-supported death squads in Syria. It's common practice in all US direct and proxy wars.

Massacres and unspeakable atrocities are committed. Women are raped. Civilians are treated like combatants. Official coverup and denial follow.

Syria Gives Russia List of Envoys to Peace Talks - NYTimes.com

Kerry says the “core group” of countries that support the rebels and Free Syrian Army chief have agreed to the peace talks  - The Hill

Lavrov criticizes U.S.-proposed choice of participants in Syria conference, suggests that Iran and Saudi Arabia be invited - Russia Beyond The Headlines

No moves to shake up situation in Syria – Putin to Netanyahu - RT News

5 Questions on Russian S-300 Missile System Sales to Syria - RIA Novosti

Austria determined to keep EU's Syria arms embargo, says UK push to arm rebels would violate international law - guardian.co.uk

Qatar says to tighten control of the arms flow to Syria to keep weapons out of the hands of al Qaeda-linked Islamist fighters - Reuters

Arab League: Syria seat not yet given to coalition because it has not formed a government - ArabNews

Syria developments suggest Assad may go out quietly after all, In any case his staying power hasn't run its course - Haaretz Daily Newspaper

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The Islamic State Of Iraq And Al-Sham (Nusra/Qaeda) Executes Three Men In Raqqa Stating That It Is In Retaliation For Alleged Sunni Massacres (VIDEOS) - Brown Moses Blog

VIDEO: Residents of Raqqa rally in protest against the Al Nusra executions - YouTube

Exclusive: “We Will Slaughter All of Them.” Interview With The Rebel Who Cut out and Ate The Heart of a Soldier  - TIME.com

FSA, Al Nusra and others unite to retake strategic town near Damascus, Their flag with declaration: "There is no god but God; Mohammad is God's prophet" - Reuters

Excitement fades to despair in rebel-held Syria as war grinds on - CSMonitor.com

Free Syrian Army Chief of Staff: Israel is an Enemy Country collaborating with Syrian President Bashar Assad -  Algemeiner.com

Report: Hizbullah Fighters Advance to Syria-Jordan Border - Naharnet

Al Nusra linked Jordan salafists: Fighting Hezbollah militants a top priority - MTV

Attacks Against Lebanese Alawites Deepen Fears - ABC News

Sinai: Foreign Militiamen Trained to Join Fight in Syria - almanar.com

More and More Europeans Are Flying to Syria to Fight Assad - VICE United Kingdom

Syrian Kurdish parties capture Kurdish youths waging jihad - al-monitor.com 

Terrorists in Syria stole 1000 year minbar of Aleppo Kaber Mosque - islamicinvitationturkey

New Syrian opposition group formed, appears to be an attempt to counterbalance the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood - Alarabiya.net 

The Structure and Organization of the Syrian Opposition - Center for American Progress

VIDEO: Syrian National Coalition discusses rebels' videos - YouTube

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Syria says ready for joint inquiry on Turkey attacks - Alarabiya.net

Erdogan Rejects Syrian Proposal of Joint Inquiry on Reyhanli Blasts - AFP

Turkish PM criticizes main opposition’s Syria stance - hurriyetdailynews.com

Turkish Court Imposes Media Clampdown on Reyhanli Bombing - Al-Monitor

Turkish MP blames Al Nusra for border town attack - The National

Reports suggest Syrian opposition involvement in Turkish bombings, the cars that were used had been smuggled into the country from areas controlled by Nusra Front - World Socialist Web Site

VIDEO: Turkish civilians attack FSA propaganda booth in Turkish market - LiveLeak.com

VIDEO: Syria - One of the biggest stadiums chanted for the resignation of Turkish government - LiveLeak.com

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

Syria rebels lose control of key town on road between Jordan and Damascus, new advance in regime's campaign to drive rebels from strategic south - CBS News

ICRC: Hundreds of armed groups hold swathes of north Syria, while government forces have consolidated their hold on the capital - Reuters 

Syrian army takes villages near Qusayr - AFP

Abandoned arms as Syria rebels pull back near Qusayr - AFP

Weapons, ammunition shipments slowing to Syria’s moderate rebel factions - McClatchy

Syrians losing patience, confidence in revolution - Reno Gazette-Journal 

Syria: Assad Still Popular In Parts Of Country (VIDEO) - Sky News

Six ways Assad has turned the tide in Syria - washingtonpost.com

Syria declares troops have right to enter Golan, a veiled threat toward Israel to stay out of Syria’s conflict - The Boston Globe

Report: German freelance journalist detained in Syrian city of Aleppo - Fox News

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Obama pushes for Syria peace talks but warns of huge challenges - Reuters

Syria Opposition: Consult Allies Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar Before Peace Push - ABC News

US-Russia plan for Syria talks ‘slipping’ to June, State Dep: “The goal here is of course to get representatives of both sides to the table” - Alarabiya.net 

Western Stance on Syria Becomes More Realistic - Syria PM Jamil - RIA Novosti

Saudi Arabia has decided to explore dialogue with its great regional rival Iran for ending the Syrian conflict - DEBKAfile

In Saudi, Iran FM Warns of Syria Breakup - Naharnet

Lavrov urges Iran presence in Syria talks - alalam.ir

Putin Vows Snap Military Drills in Future – Kremlin - RIA Novosti

Israel Minister Criticizes Russia Over Syria Arms - ABC News

Turkey’s Syria policies are criticized as Erdogan prepares to meet with Obama - The Washington Post

Former opposition leader Khatib berates Syrian National Coalition - .arabstoday.net

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Atrocity: Omar al-Farouq Brigade Commander Abu Sakkar Ate Syrian Soldier's Heart - Human Rights Watch

"Sometimes you cannot apply the rules" - Syrian rebels and international humanitarian law - IRIN

Syrian rebels on international humanitarian law: In their own words - IRIN

VIDEOS: Omar al-Farouq Brigade Commander Abu Sakkar Cutting Flesh Of A Corpse, And Apparently Eating It - Brown Moses Blog

VIDEO: Formation Al-Omar and Al-Farooq Battalion - FSA - YouTube

VIDEO: Syria opposition coalition publishes videos on rules of war - YouTube

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

Another Anti-Assad False Flag

by Stephen Lendman

Since early 2011, Obama's been waging proxy war on Syria. Imported death squads masquerade as freedom fighters. The scheme's familiar. It repeats. It reflects US imperialism's dark side.

In the 1980s, CIA-recruited mujahideen fighters battled  Afghanistan's Soviet occupiers. Ronald Reagan called them "the moral equivalent of our founding fathers." He characterized Contra killers the same way.

Turkey Arrests Nine in Deadly Bombings, Blames a militia led by a Turkish Alawite linked to Syria regime - Bloomberg

Damascus denies responsibility for Turkey bombings - AFP

Erdogan says country won’t be drawn into Syria conflict after deadly bombings - The Washington Post

Turkey says world must act against Syria after bombings - Reuters

Turkey opposition criticizes Erdogan's Syria policy  - todayszaman

Why is Turkey Building a Tent City for Syrian Christians?

VIDEOS: Links To Photos And Videos From The Reyhanli Car-Bombings - Brown Moses Blog

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Assad forces gaining ground in Syria, Analyst: the insurgency does not pose an existential threat to the regime - The Washington Post

Syria Christian village breathes easier as army advances on Qusayr - AFP

On the Golan Heights, the people are (mostly) with Assad - Haaretz Daily Newspaper

Palestinian-Syrian group forming units to fight for Golan - JPost 

Rebel Rockets Hurt Two in Hermel, Aimed at pressuring Hizbullah to end its fighting in Syria - Naharnet

Syrian Rebels Release 4 UN Filipino Peacekeepers - ABC News

UN praises Qatar key role in release of Golan peacekeepers - Saudi Gazette

Syria Promises Ibrahim to Help in Abducted Lebanese Pilgrims Case - Naharnet

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Under the black flag of al-Qaeda, the Syrian city Raqqa ruled by gangs of extremists - Telegraph

VIDEO: : Telegraph dispatch from Raqqa, Syria - Telegraph

PHOTOS: Exclusive pictures from Syria by Telegraph photographer David Rose - Telegraph

Syrian rebels, including FSA groups, fund their fighting through looting, smuggling and selling antiquities - conflict antiquities

Al Qaeda’s £168million cocaine smugglers, paid for the cocaine with weapons and cash looted in Libya - Money Jihad

Al-Jaafari to UNSC: Jabhet al-Nusra Claimed Responsibility for 600 Terrorist Acts in Syria in One Year - The Santos Republic

800 Tunisian Islamists fighting in Syria, minister says - NOW

Claims Australians killed in Syria were fighters, not aid workers - SMH

VIDEO: Insurgent Eats Heart of Syrian Soldier - YouTube

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Syrian opposition to meet to decide whether to join peace talks - Reuters

Russian official says Syria conference not possible in May, there are disagreements over who should have the right to take part - Yahoo! News

Gates: US military involvement in Syria a 'mistake' - NOW'

Drugs, prostitution and official corruption: Syrian refugee camp in Iraqi Kurdistan - ekurd

VIDEO: Direct U.S. military involvement in Syria "would be a mistake," says Gates - CBS News Video

VIDEO: US ambassador to Syria, Robert Ford poses with rebel of Aleppo - LiveLeak.com

VIDEO: Geraldo Rivera: My Sources Tell Me Benghazi Was About Running Missiles to Syrian Rebels -TheBlaze.com

VIDEO: Moaz al-Khatib Exposes Roles of Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the Syrian Crisis on al-Jazeera - LiveLeak.com

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

Anti-Assad Rhetoric Intensifies

by Stephen Lendman

US-led anti-Assad efforts continue. Obama's going all out to topple him. He's heading America for more war. 

His imperial strategy prioritizes it. Rule of law principles are discarded. Unchallenged global dominance alone matters. America's longstanding permanent war agenda advances it.

Biden: US not to jump the gun on Syria, He stresses that it remains unclear who owned the chemical weapons and used them - AFP

VIDEO: Biden outlines US policy on Syrian conflict - Firstpost Topic

Hagel: ‘Political, not military’ solutions needed in Syria and Iran - Alarabiya.net 

No new S-300 supplies planned after Russia finalizes standing Syrian weapons contracts - Lavrov - RT News

Netanyahu to meet with Putin in Moscow, discuss Russian arms sales to Syria - Haaretz Daily Newspaper

Russian Pacific Fleet Warships to Appear in Eastern Mediterranean Sea - LiveLeak.com

Germany spy chief visited Syria: Report - PressTV

Saudis, Qatar fire UN torpedo at US-Russia sponsored Syrian peace conference, The resolution condemns the Syrian government and blames it for the use of chemical weapons-  Asia Times Online

Syria's chemical arsenal nearly 1,00 tons, watchdog chief says - Anadolu Agency

VIDEO: Nuclear arms expert discusses chemical weapons in Syria - Alarabiya.net

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Insight: In eastern Syria oil smugglers makes European hopes of buying crude from President Assad's opponents a distant prospect - Reuters

Al Nusra Front to be added to UN sanctions list as terrorist organization, diplomats say - AFP

Hezbollah and Al Qaeda Fighters Edging Closer to Confrontation - ABC News

3 Lebanese jihadists killed in Syria, 36 others missing - THE DAILY STAR

Nine arrested in Lebanon for smuggling weapons into Syria and planning to carry out a terrorist attack - THE DAILY STAR

Militants in Syria shell Lebanese border areas - abna.ir

Palestinians from Syria in Lebanon number 55,000 - THE DAILY STAR

Syrian army warns civilians to leave Qusayr - Alarabiya.net 

Al Manar TV: 3500 militant rebels in Qusayr offering to surrender to Syria’s Assad - Zimbio

Is Saudi Arabia behind the substitution of Syrian opposition PM Hitto? - The Syrian Observer News

Syrian Opposition Figure Faces Allegations of Money Laundering in France, Allegedly involved in Syrian artifacts smuggling through Lebanon and Turkey - SyriaNews

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Are PKK Fighters Moving to Syria? - Al-Monitor

The proliferation of armed Syrian Kurdish groups sets the stage for internecine conflicts - Syria News

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

Obama's Syria Game Plan: Libya 2.0

by Stephen Lendman

Obama's already waging multiple direct and proxy wars. He's heading America for more. Media scoundrels support it. They back all US aggression. They're beating the drums again now. They're manipulating public sentiment for support.

Russia, China and most other nations want peace. May 8 commemorates Victory in Europe Day (VE Day). Russia's toll was greatest. For many, war horrors still echo.

Who Are the Real Criminals?

83 year old nun, Sister Megan Rice and two other peace activists, Michael Walli and Greg Boertje-Obed were convicted and could be sentenced to 20 year for breaking into a Tennessee storage facility for depleted uranium weapons and splashing them with blood.  They are members of the group Transform Now Plowshares that lives the words of the Bible "They shall beat their swords into plowshares.  They shall learn war no more."

With skyrocketing cancer rates and birth defects, the city of Fallujah, Iraq has never recovered from the 2004 U.S. assault on it using depleted uranium munitions.  A study by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health states that the after effects of the Fallujah assault are "worse" than those after the U.S. nuked Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

U.S. Presses Russia on Syria Arms Sale (VIDEO) - WSJ.com

U.S. Is Warned Russia Plans Syria Arms Sale - WSJ.com

Israel asks Russia not to sell Syria advanced S-300 air shield: officials - Reuters

Deputy FM: Syria will 'respond immediately' to any Israeli strike - Yahoo!7

Assad: We have decided to give Hezbollah everything, it is not just an ally, we share the same destiny - almanar.com

Hezbollah: Syria to supply “game-changing” weapons to militia (VIDEO) - Chicago Sun-Times

Hezbollah offers to help Syria fight for Israel-occupied Golan - Yahoo! News

Syria troops, Hezbollah advancing on Qusayr, NGO says - Alarabiya.net 

Interview: NATO Supreme Allied Commander on Syria and Soft Power, warns Syria may ‘break apart’ post-Assad - The Atlantic

VIDEO: Deputy FM Muqdad: We'll 'Respond Immediately' to Any New Israeli Strike - LiveLeak.com

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Syria to let in UN experts to investigate chemical arms use — RT News

Damascus Welcomes Russia-US Rapprochement on Syria Crisis - RIA Novosti

Proposed UN General Assembly resolution backs political transition in Syria, condemns regime, Russia urges other countries to vote "no" - Fox News

Exclusive: Opposing Qatar's Syria Draft UNGA Resolution, Russia Cites Lavrov - Kerry Peace Conference , Letter Here - Inner City Press

France wants U.N. to label Syria's al-Nusra Front a terrorist group - Yahoo! News

Brahimi to stay on as Syria envoy after Russia-US bid, UN says

Exclusive: Turkish PM Erdogan: Syria has crossed red line, used chemical weapons VIDEO) - NBC World News

Turkey would support U.S.-led no-fly zone in Syria - NBC - Yahoo!7

Turkey steps up chemical weapons tests on Syria casualties - Reuters

Reports: Warnings about Syria from the US to Ankara especially about the support provided for pro-al-Qaeda “jihadist” elements - hurriyetdailynews.com

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SNC acting chief: Abducted Aleppo bishops 'in good health', held in a small village northwest of Aleppo by a rebel group - Al Bawaba

The Kurdish Regional Government in Iraq to train Syrian Kurds to stop extremists gaining ground - FT.com

60% of Syrian oil controlled by Kurds: PYD leader Salih Muslim - ekurd

Europe and the Politics Of Syrian Oil - Al-Monitor

Top U.S. Official Meets With Rebels Inside Syria - WBUR & NPR

Syrian opposition coalition's acting president urges U.S. action - chicagotribune.com

New report on the Muslim Brotherhood - Syria Comment

Al-Nusra Front denies chief wounded in Syria - AFP

Syrian Warplanes Pound Rebels Near Northern Mannagh Air Base - AP

Syrian army launches new operations in Banias - World Bulletin

Syrian troops advance in central city of Homs - Las Vegas Sun News

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Speaking with an Alleged Member of the Syrian Electronic Army About the 'Onion' Twitter Hack - VICE United States

No joke: The Onion tells how Syrian Electronic Army hacked its Twitter - Ars Technica

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

Kerry in Moscow

by Stephen Lendman

Russian condemnation of Israeli air strikes preceded Kerry's arrival. Moscow's Foreign Ministry called them "a threat to regional stability." 

Syrian opposition would find it impossible to hold peace talks over a transitional government that still has Assad at its head - Reuters

White House says Syria's future can't include Assad despite efforts to lure rebels, regime into talks - The Washington Post

VIDEO: Carney: Assad Does Not Represent Syrian People - Yahoo! Finance Canada

US unveiling extra $100 million humanitarian aid for Syrian refugees - AFP

Pentagon Plans for the Worst in Syria - WSJ.com

EU "very satisfied" with US-Russia Syria accord - AFP

Brahimi Calls Russia-US Deal on Syria ‘Significant Step’ - RIA Novosti

Jordan, Iran Agree on Need For Political Solution in Syria - Al-Monitor

Saudi Arabia takes over from Qatar to deal with the Syrian opposition, as great powers begin to agree on general principles for a solution - Hassan Hassan 

Canada urges political solution in Syria - AFP

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Syrian troops push into strategic town along highway to Jordan - Reuters

FSA commanders say that entire units have gone over to al-Nusra while others have lost a quarter or more of their strength - The Guardian

US Intelligence Asked Moderate Syrian Rebels to Fight Al-Nusra - thenational.ae

Watchdog: Jihadist al-Nusra chief wounded near Damascus - Alarabiya.net 

Syrian rebels release video of captive peacekeepers (VIDEO) - The Times of Israel

UN pulls back Golan peacekeepers after abduction- AFP

Al-Assad tries to open safe corridor for Alawites, says Turkish FM - hurriyetdailynews.com

Thousands of Hezbollah fighters in Syria protecting Assad regime’s escape route? - Haaretz Daily Newspaper

Israeli- and Hizballah-controlled enclaves take shape inside Syria - DEBKAfile

Hezbollah seeking more arms after Israeli raid on Syria - NOW

Fatah: Resistance doesn't take orders from Syria - JPost

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Evidence suggests Al-Nusra used riot control agents, Symptoms are respiratory problems as those described by people who were under "chemical weapons" attacks - M of A

Jabhat Al-Nusra Photographed With "Chemical Weapons" that May be Riot Control Agents (PHOTO) - Brown Moses Blog

Alleged chemical weapon delivery systems in Syria are more likely less-lethal munitions - The Rogue Adventurer

VIDEO: Investigating Syrian rebels’ chemical weapons claims - Today Show

VIDEO: FSA Leader Says Syrian Govt Used Chemical Weapons 4 Times - Today Show

Growing signs Syria uses chemical weapons: Britain's Cameron - Yahoo! News

Britain lays out plan for arming Syrian rebels amid fears of 'likely' chemical weapons attack - Telegraph

Britain launches new drive to lift EU arms ban on Syria - Reuters

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Kurdish Group Gaining Autonomy In Northern Syria - Al-Monitor

‘Westren Kurdistan could be a model for a free and democratic Syria’: PYD leader Salih Muslim - ekurd

Divisions Plague Kurdish Opposition Groups in Syria - Rudaw

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

UN Human Rights Council Duplicity

by Stephen Lendman

A previous article said the following:

On May 5, Reuters headlined "UN has testimony that Syrian rebels used sarin gas: investigator."

Russia, U.S. agree to push both Syria sides to find a negotiated solution, to hold a peace conference attended by Assad government and opposition - Alarabiya.net English

VIDEO: Joint Lavrov and Kerry conference in Moscow - YouTube

Obama: We need proof of Syria chemical weapons use, "I don't make decisions based on perceived evidence" - usatoday.com

VIDEO: Obama on Syria: I don't make decisions based on perceived evidence - NBCNews.com

Army chief of staff Odierno: Syria rebels will prevail, but sequester makes U.S. intervention risky - The E-Ring

On Syria Sarin, UN Ban Ki Spokesman Won't Say If Sellstrom Has Got or Wants Del Ponte Info - Inner City Press

Syrian Opposition to Discuss Replacing Hitto as Interim PM–Source - Asharq Alawsat English Mobile

VIDEO: Interview with Syrian opposition PM Hitto: Negotiated end to Syria's civil war? - CNN.com Blogs

VIDEO: Syrian National Coalition member discusses allegations of chemical weapons use - Al Jazeera Blogs

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Syria Civil War: Rebel Group Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade Abducts Four UN Peacekeepers - IBTimes UK

VIDEO: More Filipino UN peacekeepers ‘held by Syrian rebels’ - euronews

FSA leader Idriss says he has little influence over what the rebels do, no authority over some of the largest factions but coordinates with Islamic extremists - fresnobee.com

Iran Warns Syrian Rebels After Report of Shrine Desecration - NYTimes.com

International effort for the release of the Bishops kidnapped, but beware of fake mediators - Fides News Agency

Chatting About 'Game of Thrones' with Syria's Most Feared Islamic Militants - VICE United States

Danish jihadist killed while fighting for Muhajireen Brigade in Syria - The Long War Journal

FSA brigade pledges to fight Hezbollah’s Qusayr advances - nosratashraf.com

VIDEO: Syrian army gains control of strategic Qusayr suburban areas - YouTube

Turkey’s Kurdish solution process paves the way for PYD in Syria- report - World Bulletin

Syria Internet Goes Down, Traffic Monitoring Sites Confirm

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Assad says Syria able to face Israel but stops short of threatening retaliation - CBC News

Syrian authorities give the "green light" to the military to respond to any Israeli aggression without referring back to them - NOW

Palestinian group says Syria OKs attacks on Israel - usatoday.com

Iran FM meets Assad, says time to dissuade Israel - NOW

UN complains to Israel about violations of Lebanese airspace - Reuters

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

Hagel, Livni and Free Syrian Army commanders reported to gather in D.C. at behest of Israel lobby

By Philip Weiss

May 07, 2013 "Information Clearing House" - The U.S. is evidently closely coordinating its policy toward the Syrian civil war with Israel.

On May 9, for instance, the Israel lobby group WINEP will hold an annual symposium in Washington. Reports have it here and here that speakers include Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, two commanders of the Free Syrian Army, and Tzipi Livni, an architect of the 2008-09 assault on Gaza. (The WINEP description of its conference appears to have been scrubbed of the information.) 

Some human rights groups, especially Amnesty International, seem to have forgotten an important human right: peace.  A petition has been launched to remind them.

These organizations are not the warmongers. They do tremendously great work addressing some of the symptoms of warmaking, including imprisonment and torture.  But, because they avoid taking any position on war, and because of an apparent bias in favor of U.S. military intervention, they sometimes find themselves effectively promoting war and all the horrors that come with it.  At Nuremberg to initiate a war of aggression was called the supreme international crime "encompassing the evil of the whole."  Yet human rights groups are often on the wrong side of the fundamental question of war.

Amnesty International (AI) promoted the babies-taken-from-incubators hoax that helped launch the 1991 war on Iraq.  AI has upheld the pretense that the US/NATO occupation of Afghanistan is about women's rights.  And now Amnesty International is highlighting warmaking in Syria's civil war by one side only:

"Our team of researchers on the ground found evidence that government forces bombed entire neighborhoods and targeted residential areas with long-range surface-to-surface missiles," said an AI fundraising email on April 29th that made no mention of abuses committed by Syrian rebels supported by the U.S. and its allies. 

This one-sided treatment by a group supposedly dedicated to all humans fuels the fires of a wider war from which the people of Syria can only suffer.

The email continued: "Amnesty has a strong track record of using our on-the-ground findings to pressure governments and the United Nations Security Council to hold those responsible for the slaughter of civilians accountable."

Does it?  When the United States kills civilians in Iraq or Afghanistan or Libya, AI's silence has often been deafening.  Shouldn't a human rights group press for an end to the killing of all humans by all parties?

While many good individuals who work for human rights groups like AI oppose wars, these organizations officially ignore President Eisenhower's warning and a half-century of evidence regarding the power of the military industrial complex -- and they ignore the criminality of war under the U.S. Constitution, the U.N. Charter, the Kellogg-Briand Pact and other laws.

These groups accept the existence of war (when not encouraging it) and then focus on specific crimes and abuses within the larger war-making enterprise. They promote the idea that human rights are governed by two sets of laws, one in peace and another weaker set in war. Voices for the human right to peace are missing and badly needed, as "humanitarianism" and "the right to protect" are used as excuses for war and intervention.

Amnesty International opposes imprisonment without trial and other abuses unless they adhere to the "laws of war," which is why AI is not opposing the outrageous charges leveled against Bradley Manning. Killing is opposed unless it adheres to the "laws of war."  Under this standard, we pretend not to know whether blowing families up with drones is legal or not as long as the memos purporting to legalize it are kept hidden.

Groups like Amnesty oppose particular weapons, including the development of fully autonomous weapons (drones that fly themselves).  No one in their right mind would oppose that step.  But surely the human right not to be blown up does not vanish if the button is pushed by a person instead of an autonomous robot.  Other organizations are pushing to ban all weaponized drones from the world. 

Human rights groups should join the peace movement in targeting war and militarism itself, rather than just some of its symptoms.  Amnesty International and all groups favoring human rights should be asked to oppose a U.S. escalation of war on Syria.