Middle East Policies - Page 662

December 20, 2015

The mechanics, perils and pitfalls of destroying Assad’s chemical weapons arsenal

In all, the shared goal is to finalize the complete destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal by mid-2014. U.S. officials acknowledged that that timetable is “ambitious” and “daunting,” but reiterated that, with the Syrian regime’s full cooperation, it is “doable.” 

December 20, 2015

UN chief says Syria report will prove chemical weapons attack, as Assad ups demands

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Friday he expects a soon-to-be-released investigative report to show chemical weapons were used last month in Syria -- though U.S. officials claim it will not assign blame. 

December 20, 2015

Embattled Syria analyst vouched for rebel group that depicted burning US Capitol

Elizabeth O’Bagy, a pro-Syrian opposition analyst whose credibility has come under fire, might have even more explaining to do – as court documents show she once vouched for a rebel group whose website displayed extremist and anti-American images.

December 20, 2015

Tag-Team: Assad joins Putin in pressing Obama to drop Syria strike threat

Bashar Assad joined Vladimir Putin on Thursday in pressuring the Obama administration to abandon military threats against Syria, suggesting an emerging plan to have the Assad regime turn over its chemical weapons could only proceed if the U.S. backs down. 

December 20, 2015

White House puts Syria onus on Putin after Russian president pressures US in op-ed

Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Geneva Thursday for talks with his Russian counterpart as the White House attempted to put the onus on Russian President Vladimir Putin to resolve the ongoing crisis over chemical weapons use by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.  

December 20, 2015

Senate confirms nominee criticized for role in Benghazi response

The Senate on Thursday confirmed Victoria Nuland, President Barack Obama's choice as chief U.S. envoy for Europe who was widely criticized for her role in the talking points created after last year's deadly assault in Benghazi, Libya.

December 20, 2015

Sources: CIA delivering light weapons to Syrian rebels

The CIA has been delivering light machine guns and other small arms to Syrian rebels for several weeks, following President Obama's decision to arm the rebels. 

December 20, 2015

Obama allies cite missteps in bid for Syria military strike

Some of President Barack Obama's top allies say the president misread a few crucial political forces when he asked Congress to support his bid to strike Syria.

December 20, 2015

CIA director clears Benghazi survivors to talk to lawmakers

CIA Director John Brennan now says his agency will make survivors of the Benghazi attack available to talk to lawmakers, in a possible breakthrough for members of Congress investigating the strike.

December 20, 2015

Concerns as US waits for Russia to call next move in Syria crisis

President Obama and members of Congress suddenly find themselves waiting on the gadfly of the world stage to call their next move in America's foreign policy -- Vladimir Putin, who until now was derided as the obstacle to an international solution on the Syria crisis.