Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- February 19, 2013



Pro-Assad Militia Now Key To Syrian Government’s War Strategy -- David Enders, McClatchy Newspapers

BEIRUT — A Syrian government militia that the U.S. has declared a terrorist organization is becoming increasingly important to the Syrian government’s strategy as it attempts to shore up its still-loyal but beleaguered military.

The militia, known as the National Defense Force or the People’s Army, is an extension of the shabiha, the pro-government gangs that were used to suppress demonstrations against the government of President Bashar Assad and that have been accused over the last two years of massacring civilians in rebel-held areas.

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Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials

UN forum offers new details on depth of Syria disaster -- Howard LaFranchi, Christian Science Monitor

The restive Kurds and Syria’s future -- Heiko Wimmen, The Daily Star

U.S. retreat means Iran’s influence grows
-- Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post

The Kingdom of No Surprises: The more things change in Saudi Arabia, the more they remain the same. -- Michael Stephens, Foreign Policy

Anxious Whispers in Tripoli -- Christopher S. Chivvis, New York Times

Cameroon kidnappings: a widening al-Qaeda linked war? -- Lindsey Hilsum, Channel 4 News

China's Expansionism Echoes History -- Bruce Jacobs, The Australian

China: No Country for Old Age -- Mark W. Frazier, New York Times

Sri Lanka’s squandered opportunities -- Washington Post editorial

Italy Votes on Its Future
-- New York Times editorial

Why Europe won’t name terrorists -- Benny Avni, New York Post

What's next for Chávez and Venezuela? -- Andrew Rosati, Christian Science Monitor

Washington’s vacation after an abdication -- Michael Gerson, Washington Post

Foreign Investors Buy Up Third World Farmland -- Spiegel Online

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