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Secretary of State Rice Places Conditions on Iran, Syria for Talks 
The Online NewsHour - Dec 21 5:30 PM
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice re-asserts President Bush's need to seek input on Iraq strategy from a variety of sources beyond the Iraq Study Group and explains her hesitation to engage in talks with Iraq's neighbors, Iran and Syria.Future House power says Dems back a dialogue with Iran, Syria JTA - Dec 21 3:55 PM
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 (JTA) Encouraging contact with Syria and Iran will be a central plank of the new Democratic Congress, the U.S. House of Representatives incoming majority leader said, outlining an agenda that differs radically from the Bush administration s on domestic and foreign policy.Sens. Kerry, Dodd meet with Syria's Assad to discuss Iraq Los Angeles Times - Dec 21 12:41 AM
DAMASCUS, SYRIA Sens. John F. Kerry and Christopher J. Dodd met with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Wednesday and discussed the need for Damascus to cooperate with efforts to stabilize war-ravaged Iraq, state media reported. Report: Syria Preparing Border for Hizbullah-Type War Israel National News - 2 hours, 11 minutes ago
(IsraelNN.com) Syria is copying Hizbullah terrorist guerilla tactics along the border with Israel, deploying a commando military unit and deploying missile stations in anticipation of drawing Israel into a war, according to the Jerusalem, Post newspaper.Kerry says Syria wants to help US Boston Globe - Dec 21 1:19 AM
WASHINGTON -- Senator John F. Kerry yesterday said that President Bashar Assad of Syria expressed a willingness to work with the United States to bring stability to Iraq, and that Assad personally offered assistance that Kerry plans to convey to the Bush administration.Bush rejects talks with Syria, Iran Orange County Register - Dec 21 3:13 AM
Officials confirm support for opposition in Syria. WASHINGTON President Bush on Wednesday voiced his strongest opposition yet to talking directly to Iran and Syria as other administration officials acknowledged secret U.S. funding of opponents to Syria's regime.Bush firmly rejects Iran, Syria talks Miami Herald - Dec 21 12:30 AM
President Bush on Wednesday expressed his strongest opposition yet to talking directly to Iran and Syria as other administration officials acknowledged secret U.S. funding of opponents to Syria's regime.Bush stance on Iran, Syria hardens VIDEO Kansas City Star - Dec 21 12:14 AM
WASHINGTON | President Bush on Wednesday voiced his strongest opposition yet to talking directly to Iran and Syria, and other administration officials acknowledged secret U.S. funding of opponents to Syria s regime.Germany seeks to improve EU s ties with Syria European Voice - Dec 21 6:52 AM
The EU should offer Syria political and trade benefits in return for promises to play a more positive role in the Middle East, according to proposals being drawn up by the German presidency.Syria flirts with the West Asia Times - Dec 21 2:50 AM
TEHRAN - A series of visits by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to staunch US allies Yemen and the United Arab Emirates culminating in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow this week is prompting speculation that Syria has finally decided to leave the Iranian orbit.Syria must be involved in settling Mideast conflict Russian Information Agency Novosti - Dec 21 4:50 AM
MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti political commentator Marianna Belenkaya) - The U.S. State Department has reminded the world that Syria was forced into international isolation for its ties with Iran and for supporting terrorism. But the Moscow visit of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad belies this statement.Majid Al Futtaim Group unveils Syria expansion plan AME Info - Dec 21 3:54 AM
Majid Al Futtaim Group, one the region's leading property developers, today announced plans to invest in excess of US$2 billion in the Sabboura district in Syria, an area located on the outskirts of Damascus.US Middle East Commander Gen. John Abizaid puts in request for another carrier in Gulf region as warning to Syria and ... DEBKAfile - Dec 21 5:09 AM
DEBKA file s military sources report that this request, revealed by a senior Pentagon official, is the first time in four years that an American general has asked for a special force as a deterrent for Syria and Iran.Israel persistently rejects Syria s outstretched hand - Al Jazeera - Dec 21 1:35 AM
Israel insists on rejecting Syria's outstretched hand, risking another Yom Kippur War, also known as the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and the Fourth Arab-Israeli War; fought from October 6 to October 26, 1973 between Israel and a coalition of Arab nations led by Egypt and Syria..Russia comes to Syria's aid Times of Malta - Dec 21 1:17 AM
Last Tuesday, President Bashar al-Asad of Syria urged Russia to take the lead in the Middle East peace talks.Sen. John Kerry Meets with Syria's President NPR - Dec 20 12:42 PM
Sen. John Kerry met today with Syria's president Bashar al-Assad after a weekend visit in Iraq. Sen. Kerry talks with Alex Chadwick about his Middle East tour and the war in Iraq.New tape includes graphic detail of September attack against U.S. Embassy in Syria KTRE-TV East Texas - Dec 20 11:43 PM
DAMASCUS, Syria New details about a September plot to blow up the U-S Embassy in Syria.U.S. believes arms smuggled to Lebanon via Syria Reuters via Yahoo! Singapore News - Dec 20 5:22 PM
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States believes arms continue to be smuggled into Lebanon through Syria, U.S. ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feltman said on Wednesday.Syria backs Arab initiative on Lebanon: Moussa Reuters via Yahoo! News - Dec 21 4:41 AM
Arab League chief Amr Moussa said on Thursday he had won Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's support for his efforts to solve the crisis in Lebanon between Syrian-backed Hezbollah and the Western-supported government.New tape includes graphic detail of September attack against U.S. Embassy in Syria KRIS-TV Corpus Christi - Dec 20 8:29 PM
DAMASCUS, Syria New details about a September plot to blow up the U-S Embassy in Syria. A surveillance tape aired by A-B-C News shows three gunmen parking a car in front...Sen. John Kerry Meets with Syria's President NPR - Dec 20 11:49 AM
Day to Day , December 20, 2006 · Sen. John Kerry met today with Syria's president Bashar al-Assad after a weekend visit in Iraq. Sen. Kerry talks with Alex Chadwick about his Middle East tour and the war in Iraq.U.S. gov't says it does not support Senators' trip to Syria People's Daily - Dec 20 5:40 PM
The State Department said on Wednesday that it does not support the trip to Syria by U.S. Senators John Kerry and Christopher Dodd or having talks with the Syrian leadership.Pontiff Sees Vatican-Syria Relations Progressing Catholic Times - Dec 20 4:04 PM
Benedict XVI said that he is confident about consolidating good relations with Syria, when receiving the letters of credence of the country's new ambassador to the Holy See.Bush forcefully rejects direct talks with Syria, Iran Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune - Dec 20 7:41 AM
WASHINGTON - President Bush on Wednesday voiced his strongest opposition yet to talking directly to Iran and Syria as other administration officials acknowledged secret U.S. funding of opponents to Syria's regime. At a year-end White House news conference, the president insisted that he won't deal with Iran until it verifiably abandons its uranium enrichment program and won't talk with Syria ...Bush rebuffs calls for dialogue with Iran, Syria The Daily Star Lebannon - Dec 20 1:07 PM
US President George W. Bush on Wednesday again rebuffed calls to engage in talks with Iran and Syria on Iraq, warning Tehran about its nuclear program and Damascus about destabilizing Lebanon. In a year-end news conference, Bush insisted the United States will not be "run out" of the Middle East by the Iraq.Mussa hails Syrian support for Lebanon mediation efforts AFP via Yahoo! News - Dec 21 12:55 PM
Syria is supporting Arab League efforts to mediate a crisis between pro- and anti-Damascus forces in Lebanon, the bloc's chief Amr Mussa said after talks with President Bashar al-Assad.SYRIA MULLS S-300PMU2 SYSTEM Middle East Newsline - Dec 20 11:45 AM
MOSCOW [MENL] -- Syria has been discussing the procurement of the advanced S-300 air and missile defense system from Russia. Industry sources said Syrian President Bashar Assad was briefed on the S-300PMU2 during his visit to Moscow.Kerry, Dodd meet with Syria president AP via Yahoo! News - Dec 20 7:24 PM
Sens. John Kerry and Christopher Dodd met with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Wednesday and discussed the need for Damascus to cooperate with efforts to maintain the unity and stability of war-ravaged Iraq, state media reported.Lavrov calls for participation of Iran, Syria in solving Middle East crisis Payvand Iran News - Dec 20 8:41 AM
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday said that an international conference, to be attended by Iran and Syria, should be held to solve the Middle East crisis. -IRNABush says Syria, Iran still disruptive UPI - Dec 20 7:58 AM
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush Wednesday called on Iran and Syria to take steps to promote peace rather than instability.USA plays hide-and-seek with Syria, running about, promising nothing Pravda - Dec 20 6:21 AM
Russia continues to use USA's mishaps in the Middle East to activate its own role in this unstable region of the world. Moscow officials say that Mideastern problems cannot be solved without the participation of the countries which the US administration labeled as the axis of evil - Iran or Syria, for instance.Daniel Levy: The Syrian Litmus Test HuffingtonPost - Dec 21 4:56 PM
Syria tends not to be a particularly headline-grabbing kinda place. But Syria policy is rapidly becoming the yardstick for measuring the Bush administration's (in-)capacity to re-think the Middle East as well as strains in the US-Israel relationship. In the last fortnight, Syria has been everywhere. First, the Baker-Hamilton commission recommended that the US talk "unconditionally" with all ...Lavrov calls for participation of Iran, Syria in solving Middle East crisis Islamic Republic News Agency - Dec 20 5:52 AM
Russia - Lavrov - Iran Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday said that an international conference, to be attended by Iran and Syria, should be held to solve the Middle East crisis.New contexts for Syria's peace call Gulf News - Dec 21 1:24 PM
Last week, the Dubai-based Al Arabiya satellite channel reported, according to Western diplomatic sources, that Syrian President Bashar Al Assad conveyed, through German channels, a message to Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.Russian FM: Iran, Syria must be involved in Mideast talks Russian Information Agency Novosti - Dec 20 4:35 AM
MOSCOW, December 20 (RIA Novosti) - All Middle East nations, including Iran and Syria, must be involved in regional peace talks rather than isolated from the process, Russia's foreign minister said Wednesday.Analysis: Olmert hit for snubbing Syria UPI - Dec 21 5:14 AM
JERUASLEM, Israel, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is facing heavy criticism for cold-shouldering Syrian peace overtures. Over the past three years Syrian President Bashar Assad has been signaling a desire to resume the peace process.Bush: Iranians 'can do better' than Ahmadinejad AFP via Yahoo! News - Dec 20 11:29 PM
US President George W. Bush rejected new talks on Iraq with Iran or Syria and, in a direct challenge to Tehran, said Iranians "can do better" than President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.Syria and Iraq to Cooperate on Crime ABC News - Dec 19 6:52 AM
Syria and Iraq to Cooperate in Fighting Terrorism, CrimeA two-way street with Syria USATODAY.com via Yahoo! News - Dec 20 3:42 AM
In A.D. 1138, Damascus united with Jerusalem and the Christian crusaders against a common enemy, Zengi, the emir of Mosul in Iraq. Usamah Ibn-Munqidh, a Syrian warrior and ambassador, chronicled this period of good East-West relations in his memoirs, wryly observing the differences between Christians and Muslims. Nearly 900 years later, these differences remain and have grown deeper. Has history ...Iran, Syria to produce parts for Iran's Samand IranMania.com - Dec 19 9:09 PM
LONDON, December 19 (IranMania) - A number of Iranian and Syrian auto part producers have reached preliminary agreements to jointly manufacture automotive parts for the Iranian passenger car, Samand in Syria, MNA reported.Chinese tourists allowed to visit Syria China Economic Net - Dec 19 9:55 PM
The Chinese government awarded Syria approved destination status for Chinese tour groups on Tuesday.U.S. reacts coolly to Syria's call for dialogue People's Daily - Dec 19 6:11 PM
The United States reacted coolly to the call by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to open a dialogue between the two countries, and instead urged Syria to play a "positive" role in Iraq and open diplomatic ties with Lebanon.Syria and Iraq to cooperate on crime AP via Yahoo! News - Dec 18 3:24 PM
Syria and Iraq signed on to a plan Monday to cooperate in combating terrorism and crime, the official SUNA Syrian news agency said.Al Futtaim Group unveils $2b Syrian project Khaleej Times - 1 hour, 19 minutes ago
DAMASCUS Majid Al Futtaim Group, has announced plans to invest more than $2 billion in the Sabboura district in Syria, an area located on the outskirts of Damascus. The fully integrated mixed-use development is expected to become a major tourist destination.Kerry meets Syria's Assad, urges U.S. talks with Damascus Boston Globe - Dec 20 2:13 PM
Sen. John Kerry emerged from his meeting Wednesday with Syrian President Bashar Assad even more resolute in his belief the United States must begin talks with Damascus as it seeks a solution to the turmoil in Iraq.Syria and Iraq sign security agreement AFP via Yahoo! News - Dec 18 12:35 PM
Syria and Iraq signed an agreement on boosting security cooperation, less than a month after a renewal of diplomatic relations, the state news agency SANA reported.Olmert rejects resuming peace talks with Syria AFP via Yahoo! News - Dec 18 12:29 PM
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert rejected resuming peace talks with Syria, days after President Bashar al-Assad called for a resumption of negotiations frozen for six years.Mussa hails Syrian support for Lebanon mediation efforts AFP via Yahoo! UK & Ireland News - Dec 21 10:42 AM
Syria is supporting Arab League efforts to mediate a crisis between pro- and anti-Damascus forces in Lebanon, the bloc's chief Amr Mussa said Thursday after talks with President Bashar al-Assad.Kerry, Dodd Meet With Syria President AP via Yahoo! Asia News - Dec 20 4:44 PM
Sens.U.S. may send second carrier to Mideast Gulf Reuters via Yahoo! News - Dec 20 3:49 PM
The U.S. command responsible for Middle East operations has asked the Pentagon to add a second aircraft carrier to the Gulf region as a warning to Syria and Iran and to help it carry out other operations, a senior defense official said on Wednesday.Syria undermining government in Lebanon: Blair AFP via Yahoo! News - Dec 18 11:09 AM
Prime Minister Tony Blair accused Syria of undermining Lebanon's administration, which he said was preventing his government engaging in "constructive" relations with Damascus.Kerry meets Syria's Assad, urges U.S. talks with Damascus Boston Herald - Dec 20 2:49 PM
WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kerry emerged from his meeting Wednesday with Syrian President Bashar Assad even more resolute in his belief the United States must begin talks with Damascus as it seeks a solution...Bush: Iranians 'can do better' than Ahmadinejad Japan Today - Dec 21 3:01 PM
WASHINGTON U.S. President George W Bush on Thursday rejected new talks on Iraq with Iran or Syria and, in a direct challenge to Tehran, said Iranians "can do better" than President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.Assad 'fully supports' bid to end crisis in Beirut - Moussa The Daily Star Lebannon - Dec 21 1:27 PM
Syria fully supports Arab League efforts to end the political stalemate Lebanon has been witnessing for months, Arab League chief Amr Moussa said on Thursday. Moussa, who met with Syrian President Bashar Assad, Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Walid Moallem, said he "received full support and backing.Neo-con Hawks Wanted Israel to Attack Syria Common Dreams News Center - Dec 19 7:59 AM
Neo-con Hawks Wanted Israel to Attack SyriaRobert Parry: A Very Dangerous New Year Scoop.co.nz - Dec 21 1:17 PM
The first two or three months of 2007 represent a dangerous opening for an escalation of war in the Middle East, as George W. Bush will be tempted to "double-down" his gamble in Iraq by joining with Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair to strike at Syria and Iran, intelligence sources say.Syria, Iraq Sign Border Cooperation Agreement Israel National News - Dec 19 2:18 PM
(IsraelNN.com) The interior ministers of Syria and Iraq have signed an agreement to exchange information concerning passports and borders on matters relating to organized crime.Russia-Syria military cooperation was not discussed with Putin - Asad Interfax - Dec 19 6:07 AM
MOSCOW. Dec 19 (Interfax) - Talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin did not deal with military-technical cooperation, Syria's President Bashar al-Asad said. "The main purpose of the visit was to discuss political issues," Asad said at a news conference after talks in the Kremlin on Tuesday.Syria calls on U.S. to be honest sponsor of Mideast peace process People's Daily - Dec 20 5:10 PM
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al- Muallem Wednesday called upon the United States to assume its role as an honest sponsor of the Mideast peace process, while meeting with the visiting U.S. senators, the official SANA news agency reported.World views The Columbus Dispatch - Dec 21 5:19 AM
President Bush made other comments related to world affairs at his news conference yesterday. SYRIA The president said he won t talk with Syria until it stops interfering in Lebanon and Iraq. He scolded the Syrian government for allowing money and weapons to flow through its borders to insurgents in Iraq and reiterated his call for Syria to end its efforts to destabilize Lebanon s fledgling ...Senators meet with president on Iraq Fort Worth Star-Telegram - Dec 21 4:41 AM
DAMASCUS, Syria -- Democratic Sens. John Kerry and Christopher Dodd met with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Wednesday and discussed the need for Syria to cooperate with efforts to maintain the unity and stability of Iraq, state media reported.Second carrier group sought for Gulf region Boston Globe - Dec 21 1:01 AM
WASHINGTON -- The US command responsible for Middle East operations has asked the Pentagon to add a second aircraft carrier to the Gulf region as a warning to Syria and Iran and to help it carry out other operations, a senior defense official said yesterday.Bush "proud" of Lebanese PM Siniora AFP via Yahoo! News - Dec 20 8:48 AM
US President George W. Bush said he was proud of Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, praising his tenacity in resisting "enormous pressure" from Syria and Hezbollah.Report: Syria seeks Israel peace talks UPI - Dec 19 4:58 AM
JERUSALEM, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Syria's president made a written offer to Israel to conduct peace talks and stop Hezbollah arms smuggling into Lebanon, the Al Arabiya newspaper said Tuesday.Syria ready to discuss Iraq with all concerned parties - president Russian Information Agency Novosti - Dec 19 7:06 AM
MOSCOW, December 19 (RIA Novosti) - Syria is ready to maintain dialogue on the situation in Iraq with all concerned parties, the Syrian leader said Tuesday.How Syria dodged a neo-con bullet Asia Times - Dec 19 3:35 AM
WASHINGTON - Neo-conservative hawks in and outside the administration of US President George W Bush had hoped that Israel would attack Syria during summer's Lebanon war, according to a newly published interview with a prominent neo-conservative whose spouse is a top Middle East adviser in Vice President Dick Cheney's office.Thursday, December 21 CNN.com - 35 minutes ago
SAPPORO, Japan (CNN) -- A small fire broke out at a nuclear power plant in northern Japan during a routine inspection Friday but officials have ruled out the threat of a radiation leak.Syria wants Russia as sponsor of Mideast peace process - president Russian Information Agency Novosti - Dec 19 6:35 AM
MOSCOW, December 19 (RIA Novosti) - Syria would like to see Russia, which is now a co-sponsor of the peace process in the Middle East, becoming the main sponsor, the Syrian president said Tuesday.Israeli-Syria Talks Would Be About Golan Heights, Not Peace, Some Say Crosswalk.com - Dec 20 5:15 AM
Jerusalem (CNSNews.com) - Possible Israeli-Syrian negotiations would not be aimed at a peace agreement -- they would focus on Israel giving up its strategic advantage on the Golan Heights, and therefore Israel would be foolish to engage in such negotiations, experts here said.Washington s Iraq Dilemma: Why Engaging Iran Is a Good Idea YaleGlobal Online - Dec 21 7:03 AM
WASHINGTON: Sometimes a wish can mobilize the will and power to make it come true. The Iraq Study Group (ISG) wishes the US could engage directly with Iran and Syria in order to try to obtain their commitment to constructive policies toward Iraq and other regional issues. Gates meets with Iraqis on military aid AP via Yahoo! News - 1 hour, 29 minutes ago
Defense Secretary Robert Gates traded ideas with Iraqi leaders Thursday about boosting military assistance for the embattled government and warned Iraq's neighbors that the U.S. will be a presence in the Persian Gulf for a long time.Top International News FOX 10 Phoenix - Dec 21 3:41 AM
DAMASCUS, Syria -- A video surveillance tape broadcast Wednesday carried graphic detail of an attempt in September to blow up the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, an attack that was foiled by Syrian security guards.Dems hold talks with Syrian leader Tulsa World - Dec 21 3:31 AM
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) -- Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., met with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Wednesday and discussed the need for Damascus to cooperate with efforts to maintain the unity and stability of war-ravaged Iraq, state media reported.The Christmas Story Birmingham Times - Dec 21 9:14 AM
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)US to review why Canada's Arar still on watch list Reuters via Yahoo! News - Dec 21 3:35 PM
The United States said on Thursday it would review why a Syrian-born Canadian citizen remains on a U.S. security watch list despite having been cleared by a Canadian investigation.Syria ready for U.S. dialogue but not orders: Assad Reuters via Yahoo! News - Dec 19 7:31 AM
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Tuesday he was ready for dialogue with the United States but warned Washington against giving Damascus orders.MAF Group $2bn Syrian project AME Info - Dec 21 4:08 AM
UAE-based property developer Majid Al Futtaim Group is investing more than $2bn in a mixed-use development in Syria.Blair: Syria Must Behave Totally Jewish - Dec 19 2:01 AM
Tony Blair has backed Israel's refusal to talk to Syria, telling a press conference in Jerusalem that discussions would only take place if Damascus showed it was serious in its desire for peace.Kerry, Dodd Talk With Lebanese Leaders Ahead of Syria Trip Fox News - Dec 18 8:42 AM
Senators John Kerry and Christopher Dodd met with Lebanese leaders on Monday, a day before the two lawmakers travel to Syria.Kerry, senators, send wrong message to Syria Gloucester Daily Times - Dec 20 6:59 AM
A number of U.S. senators, among them Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, are touring the Middle East, visiting foreign capitals and hobnobbing with dictators and Democrats, all under the guise of fact-finding.Jailed Syrian dissident prods Bush on Palestine, Iraq AFP via Yahoo! News - Dec 21 12:59 PM
The jailed Syrian dissident writer Michel Kilo appealed to US President George W. Bush to "work seriously" towards a Palestinian state and to withdraw US troops from Iraq.IRAQ MIDDLE EAST Iraqi refugees a tragedy stretching beyond Syria AsiaNews.it - Dec 19 3:26 AM
AsiaNews collected testimonies from Syria, Jordan and Turkey describing the conditions facing Iraqi refugees and the hardships of the Christian diaspora. A Chaldean bishop from Aleppo: Solitude and poverty are the worst ills. But at least the refugees find security and consolation in church. Rice promises Canada to review terror suspect case AFP via Yahoo! News - Dec 21 1:53 PM
The United States promised to review the case of a Canadian man who was cleared by his own government of terrorism links but remains on a US terrorist "watch list."Lebanese police seize explosives AP via Yahoo! News - Dec 21 11:36 AM
Police on Thursday arrested four people and seized a large quantities of weapons, explosives and fuses in raids against a pro-Syrian party.RELATED NEWS Zawya - Dec 21 5:01 AM
Damascus, December 21, 2006: Majid Al Futtaim Group, one the region's leading property developers, today announced plans to invest in excess of US$2 billion in the Sabboura district in Syria, an area located on the outskirts of Damascus.Sens. Kerry, Dodd hold talks with Syrian president on Iraq KWQC-TV 6 Davenport - Dec 21 1:43 AM
DAMASCUS, Syria Two Democratic senators have met with the president of Syria, despite opposition from the Bush administration.National Security and Intelligence Washington Post - Dec 21 2:03 PM
Washington Post intelligence reporter Dana Priest was online Thursday, Dec. 21, at 3:30 p.m. ET to discuss the latest developments in national security and intelligence.Rice: U.S. backs Iran sanctions draft AP via Yahoo! News - Dec 21 2:00 PM
The United States supports a draft U.N. sanctions resolution against Iran even though it omits a mandatory travel ban against several Iranians involved in the country's nuclear and missile programs, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Thursday.Arab MK Calls on PM to Negotiate With Syria Israel National News - Dec 19 1:33 AM
(IsraelNN.com) Arab MK Talab A-Sana (Ra am-Ta al) called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to open negotiations with Syria. Do not to miss this historic opportunity," he said.McCain. Lieberman,urge Israel not to talk to Syria Calcutta News - Dec 18 6:06 PM
A team of U.S. senators told Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday, Israel should have nothing to do with talks with Syria. The senators, led by presidential hopeful John McCain, and the newly independent Joseph Lieberman, say they are vehemently opposed to opening discussions with Syria.For the New Year, Middle Eastern dips are simple and satisfying Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Dec 20 9:27 PM
It is possible, I learned on a trip to Jordan and Syria, to survive on dips alone. Almost exactly three years ago, a high school friend and I traveled to the Middle East to visit another old friend who was working in the U.S. Embassy in Jordan.Sen. Kerry Speaking with Livni Israel National News - Dec 21 4:03 AM
(IsraelNN.com) Democratic Senator and former American presidential candidate John Kerry is meting with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni at this moment after having visited Syria. He told reporters that the relationship between the United States and Israel is "indisputable."Iranians can do better than Ahmadinejad: Bush Hindustan Times - Dec 20 10:11 PM
The United States President George W Bush has rejected new talks on Iraq with Iran or Syria and, in a direct challenge to Tehran, said Iranians" can do better" than President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.Syria and Iraq sign security agreement Zawya - Dec 18 10:16 PM
DAMASCUS, Dec 18, 2006 (AFP) - Syria and Iraq on Monday signed an agreement on boosting security cooperation, less than a month after a renewal of diplomatic relations, the state news agency SANA reported.Sens. Kerry, Dodd hold talks with Syrian president on Iraq ABC 7 El Paso - Dec 20 6:08 PM
DAMASCUS, Syria Two Democratic senators have met with the president of Syria, despite opposition from the Bush administration. A Syrian news agency reports Senators John...U.S. may send second carrier to Mideast Gulf AlertNet - Dec 20 4:36 PM
Source: Reuters (Adds Pentagon report criticizing Iran, Syria, paras 8-9) WASHINGTON, Dec 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. command responsible for Middle East operations has asked the Pentagon to add a second aircraft ... Bush Acknowledges Iraq Setbacks, Says Victory Is Goal Bloomberg via Yahoo! News - Dec 21 8:22 AM
Dec. 21 (Bloomberg) -- President George W. Bush delivered two messages on Iraq yesterday: He isn't in denial about the difficulties of the war, and he will spurn any strategy that includes a withdrawal on terms short of what he calls victory.Israeli PM says hoping to make peace with Syria People's Daily - Dec 18 4:56 PM
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Monday that Israel wanted to make peace with all Arab countries, including Syria.Soldiers tell Gates more troops needed in Iraq CNN.com - Dec 21 10:41 AM
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and the rest of the Bush administration may be undecided on whether to send more troops to Iraq. But several soldiers he met with at Camp Victory here on Thursday morning said extra forces would help.Kerry doubts wisdom of troop escalations in Iraq Fox21 - Dec 20 6:03 PM
DAMASCUS, Syria Senator John Kerry says more troops won't do much good to stabilize Iraq unless a political resolution is found.