http://www.mail.com/people/22022-bashar-assad.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.20/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/people/22022-bashar-assad.html http://www.mail.com/news/world/1763340-nato-syrian-regime-approaching-collapse.html BEIRUT (AP) — NATO's top official says he thinks Syria President Bashar Assad's regime is on the brink of collapse. Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the regime's collapse is "only a matter of time." He confirmed earlier reports that NATO had detected Syrian forces launching short-range missiles at opposition forces within Syria, saying this il... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 13:03:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1763340-nato-syrian-regime-approaching-collapse.html 2012-12-13T13:03:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1763426-russia-acknowledges-assad-losing-control.html MOSCOW (AP) — Syria's most powerful ally, Russia, said for the first time Thursday that President Bashar Assad is losing control of his country and the rebels might win the civil war, dramatically shifting the diplomatic landscape at a time of enormous momentum for the opposition. While Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov gave no immediate signal tha... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:20:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1763426-russia-acknowledges-assad-losing-control.html 2012-12-13T11:20:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1761806-official-syria-fires-scud-missiles-rebels.html KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Syrian government forces have fired Scud missiles at insurgents in recent days, escalating the 2-year-old conflict against rebels seeking to overthrow the regime, U.S. officials said Wednesday. Speaking on condition of anonymity, two officials said forces of President Bashar Assad have fired the missiles from the Damascus area in... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 05:24:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1761806-official-syria-fires-scud-missiles-rebels.html 2012-12-13T05:24:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1760524-us-hesitant-condemning-north-korean-launch.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is drawing no "red line" for North Korea after a successful long-range rocket test, tempering the public condemnation to avoid raising tensions or possibly rewarding the reclusive communist nation with too much time in the global spotlight. The U.S. has told the world that it won't tolerate Iran's acquisition of ... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 01:11:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1760524-us-hesitant-condemning-north-korean-launch.html 2012-12-13T01:11:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1760466-us-syria-opposition-disagree-terrorist-label.html MARRAKECH, Morocco (AP) — The U.S. and the head of the new Syrian opposition coalition being feted at a conference in Morocco Wednesday publicly disagreed over designating a rebel group as terrorist, highlighting a key dilemma in overthrowing President Bashar Assad's regime. Even as the U.S., Europe and its allies recognized the new opposition of the sole... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:00:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1760466-us-syria-opposition-disagree-terrorist-label.html 2012-12-12T21:00:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1761244-blast-syrian-regime-building-capital-kills-5.html BEIRUT (AP) — Three bombs collapsed walls in the Syrian Interior Ministry building Wednesday in Damascus, killing at least five people, as rebels fighting to overthrow President Bashar Assad edged closer to the capital, the symbol of his power. The blast came as more than 100 countries recognized the opposition umbrella group as the legitimate representat... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:33:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1761244-blast-syrian-regime-building-capital-kills-5.html 2012-12-12T19:33:00Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1761906-civil-war-splits-syrias-artists.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian filmmaker Joud Said was planning to attend the world premiere of his latest work at the Dubai International Film Festival when the bad news came: his movie had been yanked from the program. "I knew right away it was for political reasons," he said. The film wasn't overtly political, but it was produced with help from the regime of Bas... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 18:07:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1761906-civil-war-splits-syrias-artists.html 2012-12-12T18:07:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1760420-putin-rejects-foreign-advice-democracy.html MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday angrily rejected what he described as attempts to enforce foreign patterns of democracy on Russia and vowed to preserve the nation's identity against interference from abroad. Putin's speech was his first state-of-the nation address since winning a third term in March's election despite a wave of massive... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 12:40:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1760420-putin-rejects-foreign-advice-democracy.html 2012-12-12T12:40:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1757614-obama-us-recognizes-syrias-main-rebel-group.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama declared Syria's main opposition group the sole "legitimate representative" of its country's people Tuesday, deeming the move "a big step" in the international diplomatic efforts to end Syrian President Bashar Assad's embattled regime. Obama said the newly formed Syrian Opposition Council "is now inclusive enough" ... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 22:38:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1757614-obama-us-recognizes-syrias-main-rebel-group.html 2012-12-11T22:38:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1757688-extremists-syrian-rebels-who-seized-base.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian rebels including Islamic extremists took full control of a sprawling military base Tuesday after a bloody two-day battle that killed 35 soldiers, activists said. It was the latest gain by opposition forces bolstered by an al-Qaida-linked group that has provided skilled fighters but raised concerns in the West. The Sheik Suleiman milit... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 19:29:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1757688-extremists-syrian-rebels-who-seized-base.html 2012-12-11T19:29:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1758948-winter-brings-troubles-displaced-syrians.html ATMEH, Syria (AP) — This tent camp sheltering Syrians uprooted by their country's brutal civil war has lost the race against winter: The ground under white tents is soaked in mud, fights erupt over scarce blankets and volunteer doctors routinely run out of medicine for coughing, runny-nosed children. The 21-month-old battle to bring down President Bashar ... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 18:14:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1758948-winter-brings-troubles-displaced-syrians.html 2012-12-11T18:14:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1757914-experts-russia-to-stay-course-assad.html MOSCOW (AP) — Recent hopes that the Kremlin would end its support of Syrian strongman Bashar Assad melted quickly, and analysts say Moscow ultimately may change its stance only if Assad ends up cornered. Russia's refusal to join the West in calling for Assad's ouster is rooted both in a sober geopolitical calculus and deep suspicions about Western intenti... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 15:26:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1757914-experts-russia-to-stay-course-assad.html 2012-12-11T15:26:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1757850-panetta-syria-chemical-threat-slowed.html KUWAIT CITY (AP) — The Syrian government seems to have slowed preparations for the possible use of chemical weapons against rebel targets, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Tuesday. Last week, U.S. officials said there was evidence that Syrian forces had begun preparing sarin, a nerve agent, for possible use in bombs. Speaking to reporters flying w... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 12:24:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1757850-panetta-syria-chemical-threat-slowed.html 2012-12-11T12:24:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1756860-egypts-president-behaves-predecessors.html CAIRO (AP) — The freshly scrawled graffiti depicting Mohammed Morsi as a pharaonic Saddam Hussein tells the tale of high hopes dashed with record speed: Barely six months after becoming Egypt's first democratically elected president, the Islamist is widely accused of abandoning pledges of inclusive government for doctrinaire and authoritarian ways. Some s... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 20:23:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1756860-egypts-president-behaves-predecessors.html 2012-12-10T20:23:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1755492-eu-condemns-israel-settlements.html BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union warned Israel of unspecified consequences Monday if it goes through with plans to build thousands of new settler homes in Jerusalem and the West Bank. The bloc's 27 foreign ministers said they were "deeply dismayed" by Israeli plans to expand settlements in East Jerusalem and particularly the E1 project, which would sepa... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:26:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1755492-eu-condemns-israel-settlements.html 2012-12-10T18:26:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1755368-syrian-rebels-capture-parts-army-base-north.html BEIRUT (AP) — Rebels captured part of a sprawling Syrian army base outside the embattled northern city of Aleppo, tightening the opposition's grip on areas close to the Turkish border, activists said Monday. The gains by rebel forces came as the European Union denounced the Syrian conflict, which activists say has killed more than 40,000 people. "The curr... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:07:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1755368-syrian-rebels-capture-parts-army-base-north.html 2012-12-10T18:07:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1755350-european-union-receives-nobel-peace-prize.html OSLO, Norway (AP) — The EU received the Nobel Peace Prize on Monday for promoting peace and human rights in Europe following the devastation of World War II, and the bloc was urged to use that unity in its battle with an economic crisis that is causing suffering for many of its citizens. About 20 European government leaders, including German Chancellor An... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 16:13:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1755350-european-union-receives-nobel-peace-prize.html 2012-12-10T16:13:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1755600-germany-expels-syrian-diplomats.html BERLIN (AP) — Germany has expelled four employees of the Syrian embassy in Berlin in a diplomatic move to put pressure on the regime of President Bashar Assad. Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Monday the expulsion of the four, whose identities weren't released, sends a "clear sign that we are reducing relations with the Assad government to an absol... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 11:43:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1755600-germany-expels-syrian-diplomats.html 2012-12-10T11:43:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1753958-syrias-civil-war-spills-lebanon-4-dead.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syria's civil war spilled over into neighboring Lebanon once again on Sunday, with gun battles in the northern city of Tripoli between supporters and opponents of President Bashar Assad's regime that left four dead. Nine Syrian judges and prosecutors also defected to the opposition. It was the latest setback for the regime, which appears inc... Sun, 09 Dec 2012 19:10:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1753958-syrias-civil-war-spills-lebanon-4-dead.html 2012-12-09T19:10:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1754172-report-4-lebanese-killed-syria-linked-fighting.html BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon's official news agency says four people have been killed in fighting in the Lebanese city of Tripoli between gunmen loyal to opposite sides in Syria's civil war. The state-run National News Agency says 12 others were wounded in the clashes Sunday. Tripoli has been the scene of frequent sectarian clashes during the Syria civil war. Th... Sun, 09 Dec 2012 13:17:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1754172-report-4-lebanese-killed-syria-linked-fighting.html 2012-12-09T13:17:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1752702-syrian-rebels-leadership-bid-to-unite.html BEIRUT (AP) — Rebel commanders from across Syria have joined forces under a united command they hope will increase coordination between diverse fighting groups and streamline the pathway for arms essential to their struggle against President Bashar Assad. While many of the brigades involved in the fighting are decidedly Islamist in outlook and some have b... Sat, 08 Dec 2012 19:50:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1752702-syrian-rebels-leadership-bid-to-unite.html 2012-12-08T19:50:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1752700-us-envoys-pivot-mideast.html MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — American envoys challenged assertions Saturday that Washington seeks to diminish its role in Middle East affairs, insisting U.S. political ties and energy needs bind the country closely to a region full of "threat and promise." The defensive tone by U.S. officials, in response to questions raised at an international security summit ... Sat, 08 Dec 2012 18:04:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1752700-us-envoys-pivot-mideast.html 2012-12-08T18:04:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1751696-chemical-weapons-risk-syrian-missiles-shells.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Growing fear that civil war in Syria could unleash the world's first use of chemical weapons in nearly three decades is based on two grim scenarios — neither considered likely but both carrying risks of civilian massacre and a major escalation of violence. The first is that President Bashar Assad, in a last-ditch effort to save his regim... Fri, 07 Dec 2012 20:51:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1751696-chemical-weapons-risk-syrian-missiles-shells.html 2012-12-07T20:51:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1750484-syrian-rebels-set-sights-damascus-airport.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian rebels fighting to topple President Bashar Assad set their sights Friday on the capital's international airport in a bid to cut off the regime's supplies, clashing with government troops nearby and again forcing the closure of the airport road. A fighter who is part of the push against Damascus International Airport declared it a legi... Fri, 07 Dec 2012 19:37:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1750484-syrian-rebels-set-sights-damascus-airport.html 2012-12-07T19:37:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1750244-russia-fumes-us-bill-reset-plan-takes-hit.html MOSCOW (AP) — What happened to the "reset"? U.S.-Russian ties have again plunged into acrimony amid disputes ranging from disagreement on Syria to Russian President Vladimir Putin's clampdown on dissent. A U.S. bill intended to lift Cold War-era trade restrictions but also containing sanctions against Russian officials accused of rights abuses has become ... Fri, 07 Dec 2012 19:25:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1750244-russia-fumes-us-bill-reset-plan-takes-hit.html 2012-12-07T19:25:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1750624-us-works-with-russia-syria-wants-assad.html BELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Friday that the United States and Russia are committed to trying again to get President Bashar Assad's regime and the rebel opposition to talk about a political transition in Syria, setting aside a year and a half of U.S.-Russian disagreements that have paralyzed the international community. ... Fri, 07 Dec 2012 17:34:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1750624-us-works-with-russia-syria-wants-assad.html 2012-12-07T17:34:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1747608-with-war-shifting-us-russia-talk-syrias-future.html DUBLIN (AP) — Diplomatic efforts to end Syria's civil war moved forward Thursday with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton joining Russia's foreign minister and the U.N. peace envoy to the Arab country for extraordinary three-way talks that suggested Washington and Moscow might finally unite behind a strategy as the Assad regime weakens. In Wash... Thu, 06 Dec 2012 20:39:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1747608-with-war-shifting-us-russia-talk-syrias-future.html 2012-12-06T20:39:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1748704-hamas-chiefs-gaza-visit-sign-regional-embrace.html GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — The supreme Hamas leader's first-ever visit to the Gaza Strip this weekend signals growing regional acceptance of the Islamic militant movement in charge of the once isolated territory and grudging acquiescence by Israel. Hamas chief Khaled Mashaal, who has positioned himself as a pragmatist and enjoys the backing of regional ... Thu, 06 Dec 2012 20:28:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1748704-hamas-chiefs-gaza-visit-sign-regional-embrace.html 2012-12-06T20:28:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1749048-syrian-capital-maze-checkpoints-blast-walls.html Instead of a quick half-hour trip home from her class at Damascus University, Lama Issa says she now must maneuver through security checkpoints, army tanks and blast walls — a two-hour journey that is often terrifying. That's the new price of an uneasy security these days in the Syrian capital, the seat of power for President Bashar Assad. Rebels have set... Thu, 06 Dec 2012 18:46:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1749048-syrian-capital-maze-checkpoints-blast-walls.html 2012-12-06T18:46:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1747478-nato-moves-toward-deployment-syria-border.html BEIRUT (AP) — As fears grow in the West that Syrian President Bashar Assad will unleash chemical weapons as an act of desperation, NATO moved forward Thursday with its plan to place Patriot missiles and troops along Syria's border with Turkey to protect against potential attacks. Assad's regime blasted the move as "psychological warfare," saying the new d... Thu, 06 Dec 2012 18:07:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1747478-nato-moves-toward-deployment-syria-border.html 2012-12-06T18:07:00Z