Syria

Latest Stories

This image made from video posted by Ugarit News and taken on May 29, 2013, which is consistent with other AP reporting, shows an explosion from shelling in Qusair, Syria. Syrian President Bashar Assad said the regime has received its first shipment of a sophisticated Russian anti-aircraft missile system, and the main Western-backed opposition group announced Thursday that it will not participate in peace talks — a double blow to international efforts to end the country's devastating civil war. (Associated Press/Ugarit News via AP video)

Syrian rebels gather to fight at key border town

By Ashish Kumar Sen - The Washington Times

** FILE ** Sen. John McCain, meeting for several hours on Monday, May 27, 2013, with rebel leaders in Syria, was asked for U.S. help to establish a no-fly zone, obtain anti-aircraft weapons and launch airstrikes on targets associated with the regime of President Bashar Assad. (Syrian Emergency Task Force)

Sen. John McCain accused of posing with kidnappers in Syria

By Cheryl K. Chumley - The Washington Times

** FILE ** This Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009, file photo shows Syrian President Bashar Assad, seen, during a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, unseen, at the presidency in Tehran, Iran. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File)

Syria’s Bashar Assad has received Russia’s missiles: report

By Cheryl K. Chumley - The Washington Times

**FILE** Gen. Salim Idris, who defected from the Syrian army in July, speaks during an interview in Antakya, Turkey, on Dec. 18, 2012. (Associated Press)

Syrian rebel leader cites Hezbollah in attack on town

By Ashish Kumar Sen - The Washington Times

** FILE ** President Obama talks about national security on Thursday, May 23, 2013, at the National Defense University at Fort McNair in Washington. Declaring America at a "crossroads" in the fight against terrorism, the president revealed clearer guidelines for the use of deadly drone strikes, including more control by the U.S. military, while leaving key details of the controversial program secret. (Associated Press)

Feds say Iran’s support for terrorism growing

By Guy Taylor - The Washington Times

** FILE ** Syrian President Bashar Assad speaks during an interview on Wednesday, April 17, 2013. (Associated Press/Syrian State TV via AP video)

State says Russian missile delivery shouldn’t affect Syria talks

By Guy Taylor - The Washington Times

** FILE ** CIA Director John O. Brennan.

Al Qaeda remains a threat to U.S. via its franchises despite Obama’s boast

By Rowan Scarborough - The Washington Times

Russian anti-air missiles may be Syrian ‘game changer’

By Shaun Waterman - The Washington Times

In this photo released on Sunday, May 26, 2013, by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad take their position during clashes against Syrian rebels, in Aleppo, Syria. (AP Photo/SANA)

EU opens door for member states to arm Syrians, lifts arms embargo

By Cheryl K. Chumley - The Washington Times

** FILE ** A Sunni gunman fires his machine gun during clashes that erupted between pro- and anti-Syrian regime gunmen, in the northern port city of Tripoli, Lebanon, Thursday, May. 23, 2013. (AP Photo)

Russia supplying weaponry to Syria’s Assad; EU lifts ban on aiding rebels

By Guy Taylor - The Washington Times

** FILE ** Sen. John McCain, meeting for several hours on Monday, May 27, 2013, with rebel leaders in Syria, was asked for U.S. help to establish a no-fly zone, obtain anti-aircraft weapons and launch airstrikes on targets associated with the regime of President Bashar Assad. (Syrian Emergency Task Force)

In secret trip to Syria, Sen. John McCain hears rebels’ pleas for help

By Cheryl Wetzstein - The Washington Times

On Monday May 27, 2013 Senator John McCain traveled into Syria for a period of several hours to discuss the current situation in Syria and U.S. Syria Policy with General Salim Idris, leader of the Supreme Military Council of the Free Syrian Army, and 18 commanders of FSA battalions from all of Syria. While meeting with Senator McCain, General Idris and FSA commanders asked that the United States increase its aid to the Free Syrian Army in the form of heavy weapons, a no-fly zone, and air strikes on Hezbollah. Syrian Emergency Task Force Field Director, Razan Shalab Al-Sham, Executive Director, Mouaz Moustafa, and Political Director Elizabeth O'Bagy organized and facilitated Senator McCain's trip into the country. Photo/Syrian Emergency Task Force

Sen. John McCain meets with rebels in Syria

By Jessica Chasmar - The Washington Times

** FILE ** Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad flashes the victory sign as he attends the 12th summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Cairo on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stocks election to replace Ahmadinejad with loyalists

By Guy Taylor and Ashish Kumar Sen - The Washington Times

A Lebanese policeman speaks on his phone as he stands at a damaged balcony where a rocket struck an apartment in a building in the Chiyah district south of Beirut on Sunday, May 26, 2013. Rockets that slammed into two Hezbollah stronghold neighborhoods wounded at least four people. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

2 rockets hit Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon

By Zein Karam - Associated Press

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, gives a speech in a mosque inside the leader's housing compound in Tehran on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Office of the Supreme Leader)

Iran ensures no change with West in presidential election

By Ashish Kumar Sen - The Washington Times

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said on Sunday, May 26, 2013, during a visit to Baghdad that his government has agreed in principle to take part in an international conference in Geneva next month aimed at ending Syria's civil war. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban, Pool)

Syria agrees ‘in principle’ to attend peace talks

Associated Press

Rebel fighters celebrate after purportedly capturing an army base in Nairab, northwestern Syria, Thursday, May 23, 2013. The video is consistent with independent AP reporting. (AP Photo/Ugarit News via AP video)

Syria’s pro-Assad forces, Hezbollah unleash artillery barrage on Qusair

Associated Press

** FILE ** This Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009, file photo shows Syrian President Bashar Assad, seen, during a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, unseen, at the presidency in Tehran, Iran. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File)

Russia: Syria’s agreed to peace conference ‘in principle’

By Cheryl K. Chumley - The Washington Times

** FILE ** A Sunni gunman fires his machine gun during clashes that erupted between pro- and anti-Syrian regime gunmen, in the northern port city of Tripoli, Lebanon, Thursday, May. 23, 2013. (AP Photo)

5 dead in Lebanon clash of Assad foes, backers

By Karin Laub - Associated Press

U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry gestures during a joint a news conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh in Amman, Jordan, on Wednesday, May 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Jim Young, Pool)

Kerry: U.S., allies ready to step up aid to rebels

By Bassem Mroue and Bradley Klapper - Associated Press