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Syria signs Arab human rights charter 
AFP via Yahoo! News - Aug 18 1:07 PM
Syria, whose record on democracy and political freedom has come under frequent Western criticism, has signed the Arab Charter on Human Rights adopted by the Arab League in Tunis in 2004, the country's official news agency SANA said.Syria still waits for a seat at negotiating table Boston Globe - Aug 18 1:12 AM
DAMASCUS -- As the war in Lebanon dragged on, Syrian analysts say, government officials here hoped Syria's isolation would finally end. They thought that Western diplomats would come calling, to ask Syria to rein in Hezbollah -- and that in return Syria could eventually get back the Golan Heights, the strategic border region that Israel has occupied since 1967.Syria signs Arab League human rights charter The Daily Star Lebannon - Aug 18 11:59 AM
Syria has signed the Arab Charter on Human Rights adopted by the Arab League in Tunis in 2004, the countrys official news agency SANA said on Friday. The signing, which took place in Cairo on Thursday, was welcomed in Damascus on Friday by the head of the National Organization of Human Rights in Syria.Lebanese leaders hit back at Syria over war Reuters via Yahoo! News - Aug 17 10:34 AM
Anti-Syrian Lebanese leaders accused Syria on Thursday of trying to exploit the war between Hizbollah and Israel for its own gain after Damascus partly blamed them for the conflict.Lebanese official criticizes Syria's Assad AP via Yahoo! News - Aug 17 3:17 AM
The head of Lebanon's largest parliamentary block blasted both Israel and Syria in a fiery nationalistic speech Thursday to hundreds of supporters.Iran, Syria: Cooperation To Increase India Daily - Aug 18 8:23 AM
Iran and Syria will increase cooperation in the industrial, energy, telecommunications and civil development sectors as a result of a memorandum of understanding signed by the two sides, IranMania news reported Aug. 18. Iranian firms will soon begin constructing industrial infrastructure and manufacturing zones in Syrian cities.Hariri in bitter attack on Syria BBC News - Aug 17 9:04 AM
Leading Lebanese political Saad Hariri strongly criticises the president of neighbouring Syria, Bashar al-Assad.Turkey says it forced Iran planes down AP via Yahoo! News - Aug 18 2:03 PM
The Turkish Foreign Ministry said Friday that it had forced two Syria-bound Iranian planes to land and be searched for rockets and other military equipment during the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.Iran, Syria to go all-out in industrial cooperation IranMania.com - Aug 17 2:16 PM
LONDON, August 18 (IranMania) - Iran and Syria are going to expand their mutual ties by furthering cooperation in industry, energy, telecommunications, civil development and R&D sectors, a report citing the MOU (memorandum of understanding) signed between Iran s Parsian Company and the Syrian side said, MNA reported.German FM urges Syria to change tack during Saudi visit AFP via Yahoo! News - Aug 16 7:42 AM
Germany's foreign minister has urged Syria to play a constructive role in the Middle East, after calling off a trip to Damascus over a fiery speech by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.U.N. says most Lebanese returning home AP via Yahoo! News - Aug 18 8:02 AM
Most of the people who fled fighting in southern Lebanon between Hezbollah and Israel are returning home from shelters in Lebanon and Syria, U.N. officials said Friday.Syria warns Israel over occupation of Golan AFP via Yahoo! News - Aug 16 4:55 AM
Syria has warned Israel that the occupation of the Golan Heights "cannot last forever" and said Syrians would emulate Hezbollah to recover their land.Israeli air strikes reported over Lebanese-Syrian border Friday night after Iran and Syria resume rocket consignments DEBKAfile - Aug 18 1:04 PM
The warplanes are said to have targeted weapons and rocket supply trucks northeast of Baalbek. Correspondents in Beirut report Lebanese forces opened anti-air fire on Israeli warplanes flying over E. Lebanon.Hariri slams Israel and Syria calls Lebanese to rally behind Prime Minister Al Bawaba - Aug 17 5:01 AM
Parliament's majority leader Saad Hariri blasted both Syria and Israel in a fiery speech Thursday to hundreds of supporters in Qoreitem. "The history of Israel is a black history, a hateful one, of destruction," said Hariri, in a speech hailing the Lebanese army for moving into south Lebanon.Syria to form its own Hezbollah WorldNetDaily - Aug 16 10:14 PM
JERUSALEM On the heels of what it views as a Hezbollah victory against the Jewish state, Syria is forming its own Hezbollah-like guerilla organization to fight Israel in hopes of "liberating" the Golan Heights, an official from Syrian President Bashar Assad's Ba'ath party told WorldNetDaily yesterday.Saudis and Bush pile pressure on Syria Tiscali - Aug 17 1:14 AM
RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia has added a key Arab voice to mounting demands that Syria withdraw its troops swiftly from Lebanon, with Washington raising the threat of punishment if it didn t.Lebanese Voices Warn Syria Pushing Hizbullah Takeover Israel National News - Aug 17 4:57 AM
(IsraelNN.com) The son of murdered Prime Minister Rafik Hariri accused Syria on Thursday of using local and foreign battles in which Arab children were killed to incite Lebanese citizens to a possible civil war.Syria warns of fight for Golan Gulf Times - Aug 17 1:31 AM
DAMASCUS: Syria warned Israel yesterday that the occupation of the Golan Heights "cannot last forever" and said Syrians would emulate Hezbollah to recover their land.Iran-Hezbollah missile gift blocked, officials say USA Today - Aug 18 4:01 PM
USA TODAY reporter John Diamond has the story in this morning's paper: The United States blocked an Iranian cargo plane's flight to Syria last month after intelligence analysts concluded it was carrying sophisticated missiles and launchers to resupply Hezbollah in... Officials: U.S. blocked missiles to Hezbollah USA Today - Aug 17 8:30 PM
The United States blocked an Iranian cargo plane's flight to Syria last month after intelligence analysts concluded it was carrying sophisticated missiles and launchers to resupply Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, two U.S. intelligence officials say.Syria, Iran leaders praise Hezbollah AP via Yahoo! News - Aug 15 1:29 PM
The leaders of Iran and Syria crowed Tuesday that Hezbollah defeated Israel, with the Iranian president telling a cheering crowd that "God's promises have come true" and the Syrian chief saying U.S. plans for reshaping the Middle East have been ruined.Assad: Recent war confirms correctness of Syria's approach to Lebanon's resistance ArabicNews.com - Aug 16 2:20 PM
Syrias President Bashar al-Assad yesterday said that the recent war proved that Syria's approach to the Lebanese resistance was correct and disproved the approach of other Arab countries to the issue as wrong.Turkey says it forced Iran planes down Syracuse.com - Aug 18 2:20 PM
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) The Turkish Foreign Ministry said Friday that it had forced two Syria-bound Iranian planes to land and be searched for rockets and other military equipment during the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.An Arab Artist Says All the World Really Isn?t a Stage New York Times - 1 hour, 11 minutes ago
Duraid Lahham, one of the Arab world?s best-known performers, said he realized that art is useless as a tool for political change.Iran and Syria see Hezbollah victory Boston Globe - Aug 16 1:14 AM
TEHRAN -- The leaders of Iran and Syria asserted yesterday that their ally Hezbollah defeated Israel, with the Iranian president telling a cheering crowd that ``God's promises have come true" and the Syrian chief saying US plans for reshaping the Middle East have been ruined.Officials: U.S. blocked missiles to Hezbollah KARE 11 Minneapolis-St. Paul - Aug 18 11:53 AM
The United States blocked an Iranian cargo plane's flight to Syria last month after intelligence analysts concluded it was carrying sophisticated missiles andIran and Syria boast of ruining U.S. plans to reshape Middle East The Philadelphia Inquirer - Aug 16 12:08 AM
The leaders of Iran and Syria crowed yesterday that Hezbollah had defeated Israel, with the Iranian president telling a cheering crowd that "God's promises have come true" and his Syrian counterpart saying that U.S. plans for reshaping the Middle East had been ruined.Iran, Syria praise Hezbollah, mock U.S. AP via Yahoo! News - Aug 15 9:35 AM
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tuesday that Hezbollah has "hoisted the banner of victory" over Israel and toppled U.S.-led plans for the Middle East. Hezbollah's main backers Iran and Syria struck nearly identical tones a day after a cease-fire took effect in Lebanon: heaping praise on the guerrillas as perceived victors for the Islamic world and claiming that Western influence Iran, Syria say Israel, U.S. dealt a big blow Seattle Times - Aug 16 12:28 AM
Buoyed by Hezbollah's ability to stand up to Israel's punishing assaults for 34 days, the group's chief sponsors, Iran and Syria, both struck...US Blasts Iran, Syria, for Lebanon Comments Payvand Iran News - Aug 16 8:26 AM
The Bush administration Tuesday sharply criticized Iran and Syria for claiming victory for Hezbollah in the Lebanon conflict. The Bush administration says that despite its claims of victory, the conflict was a strategic setback for Hezbollah as well for its two main international sponsors. -VOASyria warns Israel over Golan The Australian - Aug 16 5:14 AM
SYRIA has warned Israel that the occupation of the Golan Heights "cannot last forever" and said Syrians will emulate Hizbollah to recover their land.Readers' Opinion News From Bangladesh - Aug 18 11:24 AM
Hizb-Ullah, a terrorist organization armed by Iran and Syria, launched an unprovoked attack against an Israeli army border post. As a result some Israeli soldiers were killed and two were kidnapped. Israel had no other option to get the soldiers released.Feds outline case against fundraisers AP via Yahoo! News - 2 hours, 19 minutes ago
Prosecutors on Friday outlined their case against two men charged with aiding the Palestinian militant group Hamas, saying they plotted to arm a terrorism campaign with guns, money and fresh recruits.Lebanese Official Criticizes Syria's Assad Los Angeles Times - Aug 17 2:19 AM
BEIRUT, Lebanon -- The leader of Lebanon's anti-Syrian parliamentary majority lashed out at Syrian President Bashar Assad on Thursday, accusing him of trying to sow strife in the neighboring country where it kept an occupation force for 29 years.Syria: U.S. Mideast plan an 'illusion' AP via Yahoo! News - Aug 15 4:40 AM
Syrian President Bashar Assad said Tuesday that the U.S. plan for a "new Middle East" has collapsed following Hezbollah's successes in fighting against Israel. Israel's foreign minister, meanwhile, warned Syria not to intervene in Lebanese affairs or use the Hezbollah militia to influence the Beirut government.Lebanese Army Reaches Southern Border Elite TV - Aug 18 8:51 AM
Lebanese soldiers took up positions in the village of Shebaa, near the disputed enclave known as Shebaa Farms. The territory is claimed by Lebanon, but occupied by Israel, who says it actually belongs to Syria. Israel seized the area during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.Lebanese blast Arab rulers, praise Iran, Syria Khaleej Times - Aug 16 6:40 AM
NABATIYEH, Lebanon - There is little but contempt for Arab rulers among Lebanese Shias whose homes were destroyed in the war between Hezbollah and Israel, but support for Iran and Syria is stronger than ever.Mass funerals held in southern Lebanon AP via Yahoo! News - 1 hour, 46 minutes ago
The breeze blew fine dust across graves where 29 people killed in an Israeli airstrike half of them children were buried, as the ground was opened for funerals in south Lebanon on Friday, the Muslim holy day.UN appeals for European peacekeepers in Lebanon AFP via Yahoo! News - 43 minutes ago
The United Nations has urged European countries to provide troops to a peacekeeping force in Lebanon as the Beirut government moved ahead with a historic deployment of army troops to the south to shore up a fragile truce.Israeli aircraft strike Hizbollah stronghold Reuters via Yahoo! News - 51 minutes ago
Lebanese security and Hizbollah sources said Israeli aircraft fired rockets at a Hizbollah stronghold in eastern Lebanon early on Saturday just hours after the U.N. appealed to European countries to contribute troops to a peacekeeping force to separate the combatants.Iranian planes grounded in Turkey for weapons search AFP via Yahoo! News - Aug 17 4:53 AM
Turkey has grounded two Syria-bound Iranian planes over the past month to search for weapons following Israeli intelligence that Iran is supplying rockets to Hezbollah, officials and media reports have said.Steinmeier cancels visit to Syria after 'negative' speech Expatica - Aug 16 8:32 AM
AMMAN - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier continued Tuesday his visit to the Middle East after cancelling a planned trip to Syria after a 'negative' speech made by the Syrian president.The de-Zionisation of the American mind News From Bangladesh - Aug 18 11:24 AM
It is true that a change in the US policy with respect to the Israel-Palestine conflict would change nothing about traditional imperialism the United States would still support traditional elites everywhere, and press countries to provide a favourable investment climate .But the conflict in the Middle East, involving Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, has all the aspects of a religious Israeli troops criticize army, equipment AP via Yahoo! News - 1 hour, 49 minutes ago
Israeli soldiers returning from the war in Lebanon say the army was slow to rescue wounded comrades and suffered from a lack of supplies so dire that they had to drink water from the canteens of dead Hezbollah guerrillas.Villagers Cheer as Lebanese Army Marches Into the South New York Times - Aug 18 6:03 PM
The Lebanese army reached the country?s southern border with Israel for the first time in decades.An Army of Some New York Times - 2 hours, 31 minutes ago
Iraqi soldiers are underpaid, underequipped and frequently AWOL. And then there?s the problem of serving a government that hardly exists in a country that?s tearing itself apart.Iran, Syria declare Hezbollah victory, deride U.S. Fort Wayne Journal Gazette - Aug 16 2:28 AM
TEHRAN, Iran The leaders of Iran and Syria crowed Tuesday that Hezbollah defeated Israel, with the Iranian president telling a cheering crowd that God s promises have come true and the Syrian chief saying U.S. plans for reshaping the Mideast have been ruined.Iran, Syria pledge support to Hezbollah, celebrate victory EARTHtimes.org - Aug 16 6:02 AM
Both Iran and Syria, who had largely sponsored Hezbollah, claimed the guerrillas inflicted a defeat on Israel, brought victory for the Islamic world and dealt a severe blow to the western influence in the region.Many experts say that Hezbollah s victory in Lebanon has given a noticeable boost to Iran and Syria s strength, Al Jazeera - Aug 16 3:50 AM
Both Syria and Iran have achieved a political victory, said Dawood al-Shirian, a Saudi Arabian who hosts a talk show on Dubai television. Lebanon once again has paid a heavy price, and Syria and Iran have once again taken credit. Lebanon survives treacherous journey to FIBA World Championship USA Today - Aug 18 4:20 PM
Some teams arrived at the world championships in first-class comfort. For Lebanon, it was a journey like no other. "We just tried to block everything out," said Paul Coughter, Lebanon's American-born coach. "We had hardly anything to eat and were just trying to convince ourselves we would make it."Leaders in Iran and Syria cheer Hezbollah 'victory' The Star-Ledger - Aug 15 9:33 PM
TEHRAN -- The leaders of Iran and Syria crowed yesterday that Hezbollah defeated Israel, with the Iranian president telling a cheering crowd that "God's promises have come true" and the Syrian chief saying U.S. plans for reshaping the Middle East have been ruined.UN wants European troops in Lebanon Reuters via Yahoo! News - Aug 18 4:23 PM
The United Nations appealed on Friday for Europeans to contribute to a U.N. force in Lebanon so a balance would be created between Western and Muslim troops acceptable to Israel and Lebanon.Iran, Syria Praise Hezbollah, Mock U.S. ABC News - Aug 15 10:33 AM
Iran and Syria, Hezbollah's Main Backers, Praise Group As Perceived Victory, Mock U.S.Hizballah, Syria Political Maneuvering Raises Concern Crosswalk.com - Aug 17 2:33 AM
(CNSNews.com) - Some politicians in Lebanon are concerned that Hizballah, emboldened after its military campaign against Israel, may be maneuvering -- with Syrian support -- to expand its authority on the national political scene.Hizbollah stumps up cash for Lebanese war victims Reuters via Yahoo! News - Aug 18 2:17 PM
Hizbollah handed out bundles of cash on Friday to people whose homes were wrecked by Israeli bombing, consolidating the Iranian-backed group's support among Lebanon's Shi'ites and embarrassing the Beirut government.UN chief to visit Lebanon next week The Daily Star Lebannon - Aug 18 3:56 AM
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is to visit Lebanon next week for talks on the implementation of the truce resolution that ended a month of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, a UN source said. A Lebanese government source confirmed the visit, saying that Annan would also visit Israel, Syria and Iran for talks on the truce.Iran, Syria Praise Hezbollah, Mock U.S. Los Angeles Times - Aug 15 9:49 AM
TEHRAN, Iran -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tuesday that Hezbollah has "hoisted the banner of victory" over Israel and toppled U.S.-led plans for the Middle East. Hezbollah's main backers -- Iran and Syria -- struck nearly identical tones a day after a cease-fire took effect in Lebanon: heaping praise on the guerrillas as perceived victors for the Islamic world and claiming that Al-Hariri: Syria worse than Israel Aljazeera - Aug 17 4:42 AM
The leader of Lebanon's largest parliamentary bloc has said the Syrian president's attack on Lebanese politicans is worse than the destruction wreaked by Israel.Steinmeier to Press Syria for Greater Commitment to Peace Deutsche Welle - Aug 15 10:27 PM
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is on his third Middle East trip within a month. On Tuesday, he visits Syria to win the Syrian government's support for the UN peace resolution in Lebanon.Bush confident about appeal on wiretap ruling CNN.com - Aug 18 1:06 PM
President Bush said Friday he expects his administration will win its appeal of a judicial ruling finding the National Security Agency's warrantless domestic surveillance program unconstitutional.German foreign minister cancels Syria trip after Assad speech Financial Times - Aug 15 7:15 PM
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germany's foreign minister, yesterday abruptly cancelled a planned visit to Syria after President Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian leader, delivered a hard-hitting speech that ridiculed Israel's military offensive in Lebanon and warned against disarming Hizbollah.Lebanon army rolls south as UN seeks peacekeepers AFP via Yahoo! News - Aug 18 1:02 PM
Lebanese troops pressed on with a historic deployment to the south while the United Nations made an urgent appeal to European countries to contribute to a beefed up peacekeeping force.Lebanese leaders hit back at Assad Gulf News - Aug 18 12:19 AM
Anti-Syrian Lebanese politicians on Thursday said that Syria had used the war between Hezbollah and Israel to it s own advantage after the Syrian president blamed them for the 34-day clash.18 Iranians die in bus crash in Turkey AP via Yahoo! News - Aug 18 9:49 AM
A bus carrying Iranian tourists crashed into a truck in eastern Turkey early Friday, killing 18 and injuring 29, the state-run Anatolia news agency reported.LEBANON-SYRIA: Palestinians anxiously wait to return to Lebanon IRIN - Aug 17 3:43 AM
DAMASCUS, 17 Aug 2006 (IRIN) - On an ordinary August afternoon, the Al-Quds school on the outskirts of Damascus would be empty, its pupils enjoying their summer break. But this year it is playing host to dozens of Palestinian families who fled the conflict in Lebanon.Lebanon: A Critical Battle for New Middle East Ohmynews - Aug 18 3:29 AM
Exploiting the tragedy of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to achieve what until then seemed unfeasible, Washington's neo-cons were hard at work: an invasion of Iraq, then Iran and Syria, which would naturally lead to... Israel: Hezbollah used Russian missiles AP via Yahoo! News - Aug 18 9:04 AM
Israeli officials said Friday that a senior delegation went to Moscow this week to complain that Russian-made anti-tank missiles were used by Hezbollah guerrillas in their 34-day conflict with Israeli forces in Lebanon.Start talking to Hezbollah International Herald Tribune - Aug 18 11:04 AM
If the United States and other key countries could see the conflict in Lebanon through a different lens, there could be a real chance for peace.Iranian bus crash kills 17 in Turkey - agency Tiscali - Aug 18 2:13 AM
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - An Iranian bus crashed in southeastern Turkey on Friday, killing 17 people on board, the Anatolian state news agency reported. The bus, which crashed with a truck in Caldiran, near the Iranian border, was on its way to Iran from Syria.US Blasts Iran, Syria, for Lebanon Comments Voice of America - Aug 15 2:05 PM
The Bush administration Tuesday sharply criticized Iran and Syria for claiming victory for Hezbollah in the Lebanon conflict. Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres meanwhile, who met with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, said Hezbollah may have lost half of its mainline fighting force.Lebanese army reaches southern border AP via Yahoo! News - Aug 18 10:35 AM
The Lebanese army reached the country's southern border with Israel for the first time in decades Friday, sending a lone jeep on patrol through Kfar Kila, a battered stronghold of support for Hezbollah militants.Mass Funerals Held in Southern Lebanon ABC News - 1 hour, 26 minutes ago
Mass Funerals Held in Southern Lebanon; Army Takes Control of Villages From IsraelisIsraeli Troops Criticize War Handling CBS News - 53 minutes ago
Israeli soldiers returning from the war in Lebanon are complaining that they were hindered by a shortage of supplies, a lack of information, poor training and untested equipment.New dialogue with Syria possible: Israeli defense minister People's Daily - Aug 15 6:25 PM
It is possible for Israel to renew dialogue with the Palestinians and also with Syria, one of alleged supporters of Hezbollah against Israel in a monthlong offensive, Defense Minister Amir Peretz said on Tuesday.Israeli Troops Criticize Army, Equipment ABC News - 1 hour, 26 minutes ago
Many Israeli Soldiers Returning From War in Lebanon Say Army Slow to Rescue Wounded ComradesIsrael wants U.N. to help monitor border AP via Yahoo! News - Aug 16 5:51 PM
Israel wants an expanded U.N. force to help monitor the Lebanese border to prevent Iran and Syria from replenishing Hezbollah's weapons, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Wednesday.Germany offers sea and border patrols Reuters via Yahoo! UK & Ireland News - Aug 17 3:29 PM
Germany pledged on Thursday to provide police, customs agents, aircraft and ships to a U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon to prevent arms from flowing into the country by land from Syria or by sea.Hamas Officials: Israel Trying to Kill Meshaal Israel National News - Aug 18 12:57 AM
(IsraelNN.com) Hamas officials claim Israel is planning to assassinate Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal, who lives in Damascus, Syria. The officials say that the Mossad sent agents to Damascus in July disguised as foreign volunteers.Defense chief talks peace Cleveland Jewish News - Aug 17 10:18 PM
(JTA) - Israel's defense minister called for peace talks with Lebanon, the Palestinians, and eventually Syria.Pakistan to study participation in Lebanon force: FM AFP via Yahoo! News - Aug 18 5:56 AM
Pakistan will mull a possible participation in a UN force in south Lebanon but will only send troops if they would be "welcomed" by all parties to the conflict, its foreign minister said.In Iraq, It's All About Strategic Communications Washington Post - Aug 18 6:22 AM
More on the Bush administration's campaign to portray the Iraq fighting as anything but a quot;civil warquot;:The U.S. military on Wednesday joined the new line of argument that it is all al Qaedarsquo;s fault.So, on your toes people and repeat after me: Al Qaeda is fomenting the violence, setting Sunni against Shi'a.#160; Iraqis want peace.#160; The Iraqi citizens who are fighting are misguided Syria and Iran praise Hezbollah, mock U.S. plans for new a Mideast WPMI 15 - Aug 15 3:00 PM
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Israel and Hezbollah dealt each other serious blows on the battlefield and claimed success afterwards but the real winners could be Iran and Syria.Fruit, vegetable prices likely to drop The Peninsula - Aug 17 6:17 PM
DOHA Fruit prices in the local market are expected to drop in a few days, as imports from the Levant Lebanon, Syria and Jordan which were disrupted after the Israeli bombings in Lebanon, are getting back to normal levels.Assad: War ended US vision Cleveland Jewish News - Aug 17 10:19 PM
(JTA) - The outcome of Israel's war on Hezbollah sounded the death-knell for US visions of reforming the Middle East, Syria's president said.Syrian immigrants achieve American dream after hellish decade KING 5 Seattle - Aug 17 5:44 PM
A Lynnwood family endured immigration, incarceration and a federal investigation, all to become American citizens. Their saga started more than a decade ago in Syria and the final chapter was written this week.Top Iranian cleric warns US over nuclear standoff AFP via Yahoo! News - Aug 18 6:39 AM
Top Iranian cleric Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani warned the United States not to seek confrontation with Tehran over its nuclear program and to learn from the war in Lebanon.UN chief to visit Lebanon next week AFP via Yahoo! News - Aug 18 3:27 AM
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is to visit Lebanon next week for talks on the implementation of the truce resolution that ended a month of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.THE WAR'S AS GOOD AS WON!!! Wonkette - Aug 18 2:09 PM
Looks like that anti-suicide bomber PSA we posted about earlier is pumping up would-be suicide bombers all across the Middle East, not just in Iraq. From Rebecca Sinderbrand: So I just got back from...Syria, Iran leaders praise Hezbollah Syracuse.com - Aug 15 1:55 PM
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) The leaders of Iran and Syria crowed Tuesday that Hezbollah defeated Israel, with the Iranian president telling a cheering crowd that "God's promises have come true" and the Syrian chief saying U.S. plans for reshaping the Middle East have been ruined.Experts: $50 Million to Clean Up Lebanon Oil Spill Voice of America - Aug 17 1:05 PM
United Nations agencies say it will cost up to $50 million to clean up an oil spill caused by Israel's bombing of a Lebanese power plant last month. U.N. officials met experts from Lebanon, Greece, Syria, Turkey and the European Union Thursday in Athens to discuss the 15,000-ton oil slick.Syria declares victory in Lebanon conflict Times Online - Aug 15 9:06 AM
The President of Syria said today that the map of the Middle East had been redrawn by Hezbollah's "victory" in its five-week war with Israel.Iranian bus crash kills 17 in Turkey: agency Reuters via Yahoo! News - Aug 18 2:27 AM
An Iranian bus crashed in southeastern Turkey on Friday, killing 17 people on board, the Anatolian state news agency reported.Iran, Syria Praise Hezbollah, Mock U.S. phillyburbs.com - Aug 15 9:49 AM
TEHRAN, Iran - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tuesday that Hezbollah has hoisted the banner of victory over Israel and toppled U.S.-led plans for the Middle East. Hezbollah's main backers - Iran and Syria - struck nearly identical tones a day after a cease-fire took effect in Lebanon: heaping praise on the guerrillas as perceived victors for the Islamic world and claiming that Western Syria's Assad says U.S. plans for Mideast an illusion Reuters via Yahoo! UK & Ireland News - Aug 15 7:58 AM
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Tuesday Hizbollah's "victory" in the recent war versus Israel destroyed U.S. plans to reshape the Middle East, prompting the German foreign minister to cancel a trip to Syria.Retired US generals, diplomats criticize Bush Middle East policy AFP via Yahoo! News - Aug 18 1:21 AM
A group of former diplomats and retired generals called on President George W. Bush to open negotiations with Iran, warning that the use of military force would have catastrophic consequences for the region.Mass Funerals in Southern Lebanon ABC News - Aug 18 3:33 PM
Mass Funerals in Southern Lebanon, Army Takes Control of Villages From IsraelisGerman FM cancels Syria trip News Interactive - Aug 15 11:52 AM
GERMAN Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier cancelled a planned trip to Syria today because of a speech by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in which he blamed the United States for Middle East troubles.Iraq arrests five Egyptian 'terrorists' AFP via Yahoo! News - Aug 18 2:25 AM
Iraqi police have arrested five Egyptians in a raid against suspected "terrorists" in war-torn Baghdad, the office of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced.Hooman Majd: The Neo-Colonialist HuffingtonPost - Aug 18 4:20 PM
In Friday's New York Times , Tom Friedman subjects us to more of his drivel on the subject of the Middle East. He admits that he hasn't decided yet who's the winner in the war between Hezbollah and Israel (how much time do you need, Tom?), but he's certain who the loser is: Iran's taxpayers. Then he calls them suckers, and says, "Isn't it obvious?" Sorry Tom, Iranian 'taxpayers' might have German minister cancels Syria meeting UPI - Aug 15 1:08 PM
AMMAN, Jordan, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Germany's foreign minister called off a meeting with Syria's president after the Middle Eastern leader blamed the region's troubles on the United States.