Thousands of Syrian refugees continue to flood border communities in Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan. Both government and non-government aid organizations are scrambling to accommodate them.
The battle in Syria is not just for control of the country. There's also a battle within the resistance over how that victory should be achieved. Like other "Arab Spring" nations before them, Syrians are looking abroad for answers.
At the UN today, the Security Council is expected to vote today on economic sanctions against Syria, in an effort to help end the 16 month conflict between the government of Bashar Al-Assad and rebel forces. But will more economic sanctions work?
The U.S. has been pressing Russia to stop sending arms to Syria for much of the 16-month conflict between the government and opposition forces. Russia has said it will not make any new deals with Syria, but it looks like arms will continue to flow.
Opposition supporters report more than 17,000 people have been killed during the 16-month uprising against the Syrian government. Today the Wall Street Journal is reporting that the Syrian regime is getting help from Venezuela in the form of diesel.
The 15-month uprising in Syria has been especially worrisome for Turkey — which shares a border — now more than ever after Syria shot down a Turkish military plane last Friday. Before the conflict, the two had been trading partners.
The U.S. and Europe are focused on diplomacy and sanctions to stem violence in Syria — and perhaps force the current regime from power. One problem is Russia's alleged supply of arms to the government there. But Western diplomats have discovered a vulnerability: every weapons-carrying ship has to carry insurance.
President Obama has announced a new policy aimed at punishing countries like Syria and Iran that practice violence after gathering information about citizens online.
