[This is a collection of news updates on Syria compiled from multiple sources by the editors.]
Developments
Le Figaro Interviews Bashar al-Assad Georges Malbrunot interviewed the Syrian president and questioned him about the chemical weapons attack and the regime’s reply to a potential attack on Syria.
Two Separate Rafsanjani Comments on Syria Denied, Deleted Arash Karami reports on the leak wanting that the former president of Iran accused the Syrian regime for the August 21 chemical weapons attack in Damascus.
German Intelligence Concludes Sarin Gas Used on Assad’s Orders In a tapped conference call between a high level Hezbollah official and Iran’s embassy, the former allegedly said that Assad “had snapped” and that he “had made a big mistake in going through ordering the use of poison gas.” (Interestingly, this is being reported by Russia TV).
Lebanon Charges 5 in Deadly Mosque Bombing The attack that occurred in Tripoli on 23 August killed 47 people.
Revealed: UK Government let British Company Export Nerve Gas Chemicals to Syria The news emerges only days after the UK announced it would not be part of a US-led strike on Syria following the vote at the British House of Commons.
Lebanon: Berri Proposes Roadmap to Escape for Escaping “Quagmire” Nasser Charara on the Lebanese Parliament Speaker’s initiative “to discuss the form and manifesto of the new government; to allow the army to recruit 5,000 soldiers to protect the Bekaa, Tripoli, and the northern borders against militants and armed chaos; and to end the overlap between Lebanon and the situation in Syria, and re-focus dialogue on the electoral law and the national defense strategy.”
Opinions
Opposition Leader Haytham al-Manna Criticises Plans for US Military Intervention as ‘Satanic’ The spokesman of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) voiced his opposition to a Western intervention.
Les Attaques Chimiques Sont un Coup Monte Another interview with Haitham Manna in a French outlet, where he opposes intervention which he believes will “add destruction upon destruction.”
Obama’s Bombs As’ad AbuKhalil says that “people in Syria should not be killed – not by conventional weapons and not by chemical weapons. But the US has a brilliant idea: It wants to drop more (presumably conventional) bombs on Syria in the name of ending (presumably only) chemical bombs in Syria.”
Why the Use of Chemical Weapons in Syria Should Change our Response Regarding the British vote against an intervention in Syria, Rory Stewart says “Britain has learned the lessons of Iraq, but it’s in danger of over-learning them.”
Failures in Iraq Don’t Provide an Excuse for Inaction in Syria, argues Faisal al Yafai.
Intervention? Robin Yassin-Kassab explains the reasons why he believes that the US strike will be mostly symbolic.
Inside Syria
Syrians Face Prospect of War With Humour Marah Mashi reports from Damascus.
Syria’s Rebels Not Unified on US Strike Andrea Glioti reports from the Northern Syrian town of Amuda.
Social Media Buzz: Syrians Debate U.S. Intervention A collection of positions expressed on social media both inside and outside Syria.
Reports, Policy, Statements
The Administration’s Proposed Syria AUMF is Very Broad Jack Goldsmith, a former legal adviser to the Bush administration, notes that the proposed Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) “authorizes the President to use any element of the U.S. Armed Forces and any method of force. It does not contain specific limits on targets – either in terms of the identity of the targets (e.g. the Syrian government, Syrian rebels, Hezbollah, Iran) or the geography of the targets.”
Beyond US Strikes, Signs of Intensifying UN Diplomacy on Syria Laura Rozen says that “as the U.S. advanced its public case for a limited air campaign in Syria, there were signs of intensifying United Nations preparations for a Geneva 2 Syria transition talks conference.”
Syria Statement The International Crisis Group says “quite apart from talk of outrage, deterrence and restoring U.S. credibility, the priority must be the welfare of the Syrian people. Whether or not military strikes are ordered, this only can be achieved through imposition of a sustained ceasefire and widely accepted political transition.”
Talking to Mr Assad Brian Whitaker is disappointed with the International Crisis Group statement, arguing there is no political settlement possible without the removal of Assad.
Resources
What to Read on Syria A collection of blogs, media outlets and think tanks suggestions by The Economist’s Pomegranate blog.
Arabic
الغرب يتردد: الدكتور هيثم مناع
France24 discussion with Syrian National Coordination Body leader Haytham Mannaa on the hesitance of the West in terms of intervention.
ضرورة الحل السياسي من أجل سوريا: الدكتور هيثم مناع
Another interview with Haytham Mannaa on western military intervention in Syria.
احمد الجربا 1 9 2013 يطلب تدخل عسكري دولي بكلمته في اجتماع وزراء الخارجية العرب
Leader of the Syrian National Coalition, Ahmad Jarba, speaks at the meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Cairo and asks for an international military intervention in Syria.
موقف المعارضة من العدوان على سوريا/ أستاذ خلف داهود
BBC Arabic hosts members of different opposition factions in Syria in order to discuss their stance on western military intervention.
حاملة الطائرات الأمريكية نيميتز تغير طريقها استعدادا لمساعدة محتملة بشأن سوريا
A nimitz aircraft carrier and others are headed towards the Red Sea to help support a “limited” American attack on Syria.