Bashar al-Assad
Today’s refugee crisis is one result of doing nothing to stop Bashar al-Assad after he used chemical weapons against Syrian civilians.
Everyone talks about the human consequences of intervention. But we also need to look at the human consequences of doing nothing.
Read MoreThe Left rejects it’s historic commitment to international solidarity and protecting the innocent when it embraces a growing neo-isolationism. It’s all very well to say ‘not our fight’ in the face of ISIS terror, but the opposite on intervention isn’t peace.
Stare at that for a moment.
The disastrous American led invasion of Iraq is exactly why the West should intervene now in Syria. Those who protested against the illegal war in Iraq should be calling on the UN and civilized countries to take action under international law
Read MoreObama cancels meeting with Putin following Edward Snowden controversy; Japan summons Chinese envoy after Chinese ships entered Japanese disputed territorial waters; Japan launches its largest warship since World War II; India-Pakistan relations fray further; Syrian rebels claim to have hit President Bashar al-Assad's motorcade; and more
Read MoreSince Bosnia and Rwanda, it's been clear that the international community disgraces itself when it stands by and let's blood flow at the hands of murderous state thugs. Here are the arguments for and against intervention in Syria. You decide.
Read MoreIt's a sure bet President Obama rues the day he failed to quantify the degree to which Syria's Bashar al-Assad would have to use chemical weapons in order to trigger a 'game changer' in the civil war, and therefore cross Obama's 'red line'.
Read MoreSyria's deputy oil minister defects from President Bashar al-Assad's regime and joins opposition; Chinese official accuses Uighur militants of having ties to Pakistan; Myanmar's military-backed government is holding peace talks with rebels; US investigates alleged drug running in Afghan air force; video on Ugandan rebel Joseph Kony goes viral; and more
Read MoreDiplomacy is failing Syrians as Russia rejects the latest UN Security Council draft resoltuion aimed at stopping al-Assad's brutal crackdown on his own people. Russia's threat of veto is within UN rules, but a rising Syrian death toll is a consequence that's tough to justify.
Read MoreWest and Arabs unite to force al-Assad to step down – Russia says no (+ analysis); EU leaders agree to cede Budget powers to Brussels – UK and Czech Republic say no; Who wants to talk to the Taliban now?; Atomic Energy Agency approves Japanese stress tests; China crackdown on Buddhist monastries; and more
Read MoreSaudi Arabia withdraws from Gulf Cooperation Council--Arab League to meet today to decide whether to abandon the mission; Chinese open fire on Tibetan protesters; EU to ease sanctions on Burma; EU finance ministers reject Greek private debt deal; US defends NATO bombing mistake; and more
Read MoreIran helping Syria get around oil embargo, says report; Analysis – Removing Assad would weaken Iran and strengthen US, but military intervention perilous; Arab League to decide on Sunday whether to extend Syria mission; Indonesia gets rare credit rating upgrade; Italy plan major overhauls to create growth; Obama says nada to vast oil pipeline; and more
Read MoreBashar al-Assad lashes out at Arab League in rare TV address, refuses to step down; Arab League key to getting Syria sanctions through UN; Aung San Suu Kyi to run for parliament in Burmese elections; China and South Korea agree aim of "denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula"; Greece pressured to settle private debt deals or miss EU bailout; Iran's latest uranium enrichment is "further escalation" says US; and more
Read MoreUS and Iraq negotiate post-war partnership just weeks from withdrawal; Obama warns Iran to respect Iraq's sovereignty; China has been cyber-spying, US intelligence claims; Over 5000 dead in Syria since Assad crackdown; "Holiday Man" working presidential bid in Russia; Canada pulls out of Kyoto after years of complaint; and more
Read MoreSyrian President Bashar al-Assad denies ordering crackdown against protesters; UN says 4000 people have been killed during the nine-month government crackdown; China to make "extended preparations" for warfare amid ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea; US and South Korea in talks to revise 1974 nuclear power treaty; Pakistan's Zardari receives treatment for heart condition in Dubai; Greek parliament passes austerity budget; and more
Read MoreAt least 70 killed in latest Syrian protests; Arab League to suspend Syria, despite foreign minister warning against "dangerous step"; Italy bond yields again top 7%; Gillard wants to sell uranium to India; Calls for Burmese political prisoners to be released; Libyan tribal tensions grow after Qaddafi; and more
Read MoreKenyan airstrike intended for Islamist militant group al-Shabaab hits refugee camp in Somalia; Philippine army attacks al-Qaeda-linked stronghold in southern island province of Sulu; Japan takes steps to slow the rise of the yen; Arab League has a plan for Syrians to end seven months of violent unrest against President Bashar al-Assad; centre-right wins election in Bulgaria; Uganda detains Opposition leader Kizza Besigye to stop him joining protest against rising fuel and food prices; and more
Read MoreGlobal markets go down, up, then down again in quest for answers (+ analysis); US Fed looks to offer assurances and break panic; Cameron says police in "fightback" after more English violence; Koreas exchange fire; Syria rejects Turkey's peace overture; and more
Read MoreUN talks tough on Syria, but falls short of concrete action; Syrian tanks keep up bombing of Hama (+ analysis); Bank of Japan intervenes to drive down Yen; China calls Japanese criticism of its naval growth "irresponsible"; Somali famine spreads to new areas; and more
Read MoreObama and Congress agree debt deal – plan is long-term but no new taxes; Markets respond positively, but downgrade still predicted (+ analysis); Deal a victory for smaller government; Assad storms Hama, at least 80 dead; North Korea agrees to resume six-party talks; Ethnic violence in China pre-Ramadan; and more
Read MoreAssad launches another "ferocious" attack on Hama, while Amnesty accuses him of crimes against humanity; Qaddafi forces kill five in Misurata; Reports: Russian officials say Qaddafi may be willing to step down; Bitter irony – Somalis fleeing drought drown in Red Sea; Portugal's credit rating slashed to junk status; New Thai PM focuses on economy; and more
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