Category Archives: Syria

Atrocities Prevention, Technology and Syria

04/25/12

One of the most exciting elements in President Obama’s speech on genocide prevention announcing a new Atrocities Prevention Board on Monday was an announcement that the Administration is going to set up a new set of “challenge grants” designed to … Continue reading →

Annan Syria Peace Effort Can Succeed Despite Failing

04/12/12

UN-Arab League Envoy Kofi Annan’s peace plan for Syria has not failed. No, Syrian troops and heavy weapons have not been withdrawn from cities as called for, but as of 6am this morning in Syria, there have been no reports … Continue reading →

Friends of Syria Meeting a Tipping Point?

03/30/12

There have been a lot of developments around Syria this week but ultimately landing the world in the same place. Joint UN and Arab League Envoy Kofi Annan appealed to Russia and gained the explicit backing of the UN Security … Continue reading →

A Step in the Right Direction on Syria

03/23/12

On Wednesday, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) took a significant step toward addressing the ongoing crisis in Syria by agreeing on a Presidential statement supporting the Joint Special Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan’s six-point proposal including a call for … Continue reading →

Unite for Syria: Stop One Year of Bloodshed

03/15/12

Today marks the one year anniversary of the crackdown of the Syrian regime against unarmed protesters in the city of Dara’a. Over 8,000 people have now died, more than 500 of them children, and nearly a quarter of a million … Continue reading →

Senators Call on DoD to End Relationship with Russian Arms Dealer

03/13/12

Yesterday, 17 U.S. Senators sent Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta a letter expressing concern about the Department of Defense ongoing business transactions with the Russian arms company Rosoboronexport which has provided over $4 billion worth of weapons to the Syrian … Continue reading →

No Answers from Secretary of Defense on U.S. Contracts with Weapons Supplier to Syria

03/07/12

Echoing our concern about United States government contracts with the Russian arms dealer enabling atrocities in Syria, Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) led a line of questioning at today’s Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. Senator Cornyn asked Defense Secretary Leon Panetta … Continue reading →

Syria’s Enablers: Cut off the Money

03/06/12

Stop U.S. Support for Syrian Weapons The shocking stories of state-sponsored torture and murder coming out of Syria make it easy to feel helpless, but there are opportunities to take action. The United Nations estimates that at least 7,500 Syrians … Continue reading →

Defense Department Must Cut Ties to Syria Weapons Supplier

03/06/12

The following was originally posted on The Hill’s Congress Blog. I was heartened to hear Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s forceful and passionate condemnation of the Syrian government’s escalating atrocities against its own people. Then I learned that another branch … Continue reading →

Friends of Syria?

02/27/12

It is encouraging to see the global community increasing its efforts to put Syria’s dictator, Bashar al-Assad, out of business. The violence in Syria has been shocking and the world must take action now to stop it. The Friends of … Continue reading →