The New Dark Age

15 September 2011 — williambowles.info

EU sanctions on Syria oil and gas industry come with loopholes
Los Angeles Times
(AFP/Getty Images) By Paul Richter and Henry Chu, Los Angeles Times The European Union, which buys 90% of Syria’s oil exports, has slapped sanctions on the nation’s oil and gas industry, but loopholes allow European energy companies to pull back only …
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-us-syria-sanctions-20110915,0,4271401.story

Syria’s ports suffer as unrest hits economy
Reuters
By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN (Reuters) – From his window on the corniche of
Syria’s Mediterranean port city of Tartous, an international shipper
bemoans the change since a popular uprising six months ago engulfed the
country and dealt a heavy blow to …
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/14/us-syria-ports-idUSTRE78D3R320110914

Syrian activist Ghiyath Matar’s death spurs grief, debate
Washington Post
AFP/GETTY IMAGES – Syrian women call for the release of all political
prisoners in Syria during a demonstration against President Bashar
al-Assad’s regime in the Damascus suburb of Daraya. By Liz Sly, BEIRUT —
To the extent that the still-leaderless …
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/syrian-activist-ghiyath-matars-death-spurs-grief-debate/2011/09/14/gIQArgq8SK_story.html

Livelihood assured for 40 OFWs home from Syria
GMANews.TV
At least 40 overseas Filipino workers who availed of voluntary repatriation
from strife-torn Syria have arrived home Tuesday night and Wednesday
afternoon, even as government reassured them of livelihood assistance. The
Department of Foreign Affairs …
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/232425/pinoy-abroad/livelihood-assured-for-40-ofws-home-from-syria

Syria – Sep 15, 2011 – 04:56
Aljazeera.net (blog)
“The Israeli spy will reveal some of the details of the conspiracy
against Syria, how he facilitated the assassination of martyr Imad
Mughniyah, [the Hezbollah commander who was killed in a car bomb in the
Syrian capital of Damascus in 2008], …
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/syria-sep-15-2011-0456

Jordan plays 1st match against Syria
Middle East North Africa Financial Network
(MENAFN – Jordan Times) The national basketball team plays Syria on
Thursday in their first match at the 26th Asian Championship which tips off
in Wuhan, China, September 15-25. Jordan will play Japan, Indonesia and
Syria in Group C with the winner …
http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?storyid=1093441932

Syria’s foreign fund enough for 20 months: minister
Xinhua
14 (Xinhua) — The Syrian finance minister said Syria’s reserve of foreign
funds is estimated at around 18 billion US dollars, which can cover the
country’s import needs for more than 20 months. In an interview with
al-Baath newspaper published …
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-09/14/c_131138740.htm

Debate over Rai remarks eases
The Daily Star
By Thomas El-Basha BEIRUT: The debate over Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai’s
controversial statements on Syria and Hezbollah eased Wednesday, a day
after the religious leader stressed his remarks had been taken out of
context. …
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2011/Sep-14/148745-debate-over-rai-remarks-lingers.ashx

Uploading the Syrian uprising
BBC News
By Mishal Husain BBC News, Beirut Social networking and internet-based
communication has been crucial to all the Arab Spring uprisings, including
the ongoing struggle in Syria – and Syrian exiles in Lebanon are helping to
make it possible. …
http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/magazine-14914765

Harry’s Place » Latest from Syria
By Gene
Harry’s Place – Liberty, if it means anything, is the right to tell people
what they don’t want to hear.
http://hurryupharry.org/2011/09/15/latest-from-syria/

Russia May Be Big Loser In Syria
By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)
Any resolution needed to be aimed at “both parties” to the conflict, he
said, even though virtually all of the violence is being perpetrated by
government forces, a point U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford made on his
Facebook page. …
http://bigpeace.com/ipt/2011/09/14/russia-may-be-big-loser-in-syria/

Prayer of the Day: Syria – God’s Politics Editor – God’s Politics Blog
By God’s Politics Editor
Prayer of the Day: Syria. 09-14-2011. Merciful God, we pray for our
brothers and sisters in Syria experiencing ongoing political unrest and
protests. Give strength to those who are weary, and comfort those who
mourn. Let your peace reign over …
http://blog.sojo.net/2011/09/14/prayer-of-the-day-2011-09-14/

Uprooted Palestinians: Medvedev: ‘If Assad falls, Syria will became …
By uprooted Palestinian
“if the United States plays its cards right, there’s an opportunity to let
the Turks take the lead in dealing with Syria and possibly even… The
Culmination. kenny’s sideshow Nine years is a long time to wait for justice
for the ‘attacks’ of 9/11. …
http://uprootedpalestinians.blogspot.com/2011/09/medvedev-if-assad-falls-syria-will.html

Sen. Gillibrand calls for tougher sanctions on Syria | Raw Replay
By Eric W. Dolan
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand urged her colleagues on Wednesday to support
tougher sanctions against Syria and hold President Bashar al-Assad’s regime
accountable for its human rights abuses. “Syrian President Assad has
killed over 2000 of …
http://www.rawstory.com/rawreplay/2011/09/sen-gillibrand-calls-for-tougher-sanctions-on-syria/

14 September 2011

Turkish PM warns of civil war in Syria
Washington Post
By AP, BEIRUT — Syrian security forces riding in vehicles mounted with
machine-guns raided neighborhoods outside the capital, Damascus, before
dawn Tuesday as Turkey’s prime minister said he was concerned Syria could
descend into a sectarian civil war …
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/turkish-pm-warns-of-civil-war-in-syria/2011/09/13/gIQAXIz9OK_story.html

19 civilians killed in Syria, opposition group says
CNN International
(CNN) — At least 23 people were killed Tuesday in Syria, the opposition
activist group Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported. Of that
number, at least 19 were civilians, the group said. Fifteen of the deaths
occurred in Hama, five during a …
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/09/13/syria.unrest/

Lebanon’s Maronite Christian head sparks Syria debate
AFP
BEIRUT — A heated debate has erupted in Lebanon over controversial
remarks by the head of the nation’s Maronite Christians, who has warned an
end to Syria’s regime threatens Christians across the Middle East. During
his first visit to France last week …
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i1mXKBCR_mnNXqAShcQRQLZ0Faww?docId=CNG.896de1096470bc0c4dc74f022ee2ddcd.6e1

UN:2600 killed in Syria
infolive.tv
The United Nations announced that over 2600 people have been killed in the
anti-regime protests raging in Syria since they first erupted in mid-March.
UN Human rights chief Navi Pillay revealed the details on Monday in a
speech to the Human Rights …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a_iwwq1GDk

Libya, Syria and Middle East unrest – live updates
U.TV
The Arab League has called for an “immediate” end to the bloodshed in
Syria, in a statement issued at the end of a meeting in Cairo, according to
the BBC. It has also refused a Damascus request to send a fact-finding
mission to Syria until the regime …
http://www.u.tv/News/Libya-Syria-and-Middle-East-unrest-live-updates/720f1af2-5cba-469f-985e-485d0a042cd8

French FM Fails to Persuade China on Syria
Voice of America (blog)
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe says he has not convinced China to
support a tougher United Nations resolution condemning Syria’s crackdown on
pro-democracy protests. Juppe met Tuesday in Beijing with his Chinese
counterpart Yang Jiechi and Premier …
http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2011/09/13/french-fm-fails-to-persuade-china-on-syria/

PM urges end to violence in Syria
Gulf Times
HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin
Jabor al-Thani yesterday said that Syria must stop its “killing
machine” and pull its army out of cities, in remarks at the end of an
Arab League meeting. …
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=458302&version=1&template_id=57&parent_id=56

Syria: Raids, Arrests and Killings along with Official “National Dialogue”
Day Press News
SYRIA- As official national dialogue sessions, promoted and organized by
the Syrian regime, are taking place inside halls at universities and
complexes all over the country; another dialogue between the regime and its
opponents is taking place along …
http://www.dp-news.com/en/detail.aspx?articleid=96456

Arab League Asked to Act on Syria
New York Times
By NEIL MacFARQUHAR Scores of Arab and international human rights
organizations have submitted a petition to the Arab League demanding that
it suspend Syria as a member until that nation halts its crackdown on
demonstrators who are demanding democratic …
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/14/world/middleeast/arab-league-asked-to-act-on-syria.html

Arab states seek end to violence in Syria – Arab News
CAIRO: Arab League states want Syria to use dialogue, not arms, to address
a five-month-old rebellion that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad has tried
to crush with tanks and troops, the League’s chairman told a foreign
ministers’ meeting on …
http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article501222.ece

‘Day of anger’ in Syria over Russian support for Assad | Pakistan …
By fraaz
News Comments
(1210460http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pakistantoday.com.pk%2F2011%2F09%2F%25e2%2580%2598
day-of-anger%25e2%2580%2599-in-syria-over-russian-support-for-assad%2F%E2%8
0%98Day+of+anger%E2%80%99+in …
http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2011/09/%E2%80%98day-of-anger%E2%80%99-in-syria-over-russian-support-for-assad/

EA WorldView – Home – Syria, Libya (and Beyond) LiveBlog …
By Scott Lucas
0505 GMT: The beat of protests continued Tuesday throughout Syria. In one
of the most striking images from last night’s rallies, demonstrators in
Anadan in Aleppo Province —- angered at Moscow’s reception for a senior
advisor to President …
http://www.enduringamerica.com/home/2011/9/14/syria-libya-and-beyond-liveblog-protests-funerals-and-burnin.html

DOLE assures returning OFWs from Syria assistance under Balik …
By pocholo
A September 14, 2011 press release from the Department of Labor and
Employment: The Balik-Pinay Balik Hanap-buhay Program, initially for
distressed returning women OFWs, now includes in its coverage returning
male OFWs. Under the …
http://www.gov.ph/2011/09/14/dole-assures-returning-ofws-from-syria-assistance-under-balik-pinay-balik-hanap-buhay-program/

France criticises UN over Syria violence – Middle East – Al Jazeera …
Foreign minister calls Security Council failure to condemn crackdown a
“scandal” , while activists report fresh violence.
http://aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2011/09/201191173155703680.html

13 September 2011

Syria gets Russia’s support on U.N. resolution
San Francisco Chronicle
Syrian troops mounted deadly new raids against dissent Monday as President
Bashar Assad’s embattled government won key support from longtime ally
Russia, which said a UN resolution on Syria must not contain sanctions. The
United Nations said Monday …
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/09/12/MNON1L3DCR.DTL

Gunmen attack Shiite pilgrims in western Iraq, kill 22
Washington Post
By Annie Gowen, BAGHDAD — Gunman hijacked a bus of Shiite religious
pilgrims from Syria traveling through a Sunni area in western Iraq late
Monday night, killing 22, officials said. A government spokesman said the
bus had just entered a desolate …
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/gunmen-attack-shiite-pilgrims-in-western-iraq-kill-22/2011/09/13/gIQAxwTuOK_story.html

UN Count of Syria Dead Now at 2600
New York Times
Navi Pillay, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, told reporters in
Geneva that “the situation in Syria is still dire.” The three-member
panel appointed to investigate Syrian abuses will be led by Sérgio
Pinheiro of Brazil, the former United Nations …
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/13/world/middleeast/13syria.html

Syria to Maintain Oil Output in Face of EU Sanctions, IEA Says
Bloomberg
By Anthony DiPaola – Tue Sep 13 08:00:00 GMT 2011 Syria is likely to
maintain oil production and find alternative buyers after the European
Union banned its member states from purchasing the Middle Eastern country’s
crude, the International Energy …
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-13/syria-to-maintain-oil-output-in-face-of-eu-sanctions-iea-says.html

Libya-style foreign intervention unlikely in Syria
Xinhua
12 (Xinhua) — Despite the mounting international pressure and non-stop
sanctions hitting Syria over the government’s alleged crackdown on
protesters, many Syrian observers and academics rule out the possibility
that foreign intervention like the …
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-09/13/c_131134368.htm

Rai’s words draw Jumblatt’s ire
The Daily Star
Jumblatt, leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, also disputed Rai’s
warning that a regime change in Syria and the possible emergence of the
Muslim Brotherhood would pose a threat to the Christians there. Jumblatt’s
comments were the toughest …
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2011/Sep-13/148627-rais-words-draw-jumblatts-ire.ashx

Forces kill at least 17 in Syria
Ottawa Citizen
Security forces in Syria shot dead at least 17 people around the central
city of Hama on Monday, a rights group said. “The toll of victims from the
operation mounted by security forces and the army in the Hama area has
risen to 17 dead,” the …
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Forces+kill+least+Syria/5392378/story.html

Russia refuses more Syria sanctions
The Guardian
The Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev, says further sanctions aimed at
Syria are ‘absolutely not needed’. Photograph: Natalia Kolesnikova/AP
Russia has rebuffed western attempts to increase the pressure on the Syrian
regime, led by Bashar al-Assad, …
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/12/russia-refuses-more-syria-sanctions

Libya, Egypt Syria and Middle East unrest – live updates
The Guardian
9.26am: Here is the latest update from Nato on the key targets it hit on
Monday. Sirte on the coast and Waddan and Sebha in the centre remain the
targets. In the vicinity of Sirte: 1 Radar System, 8 Surface to Air Missile
Systems, 5 Surface to Air …
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/sep/13/libya-syria-egypt-middle-east-unrest-live-updates

UN nuke agency meets on Iran, Syria, NKorea, Japan
The Associated Press
VIENNA (AP) — The head of the UN nuclear agency on Monday announced plans
to publish new information backing up his belief that Iran may be working
on a nuclear warhead — developments that leave his organization
“increasingly concerned. …
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gFHQcdqF4C3XfYSlzRQtyvJfJJCQ?docId=0d2fd4b12cb54620b4d048f49aa73e50

JURIST – Paper Chase: UN rights chief reports Syria death toll at 2600
By Jennie Ryan
JURIST – Paper Chase: UN rights chief reports Syria death toll at 2600.
http://jurist.org/paperchase/2011/09/un-rights-chief-reports-syria-death-toll-at-2600.php

SYRIA: Activist’s death shakes opposition as casualty count jumps …
By latme
The body of well-known Syrian opposition activist Ghaith Mattar was
delivered to his family over the weekend by security forces loyal to the
regime of President Bashar Assad. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights
said Mattar was on the …
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/09/syria-death-activist-opposition-crackdown.html

Beirut Spring: Post Assad Syria’s Effect on Lebanese Politics
By Mustapha
I really like Hanin Ghaddar, but I find this conclusion to her article on
Syria bordering on naive: There will be no space for either March 8 or
March 14 in.
http://beirutspring.com/blog/2011/09/12/%E2%9D%8A-post-assad-syrias-effect-on-lebanese-politics/

Activists call on Arab League to press Syria | The Associated Press …
By The Associated Press
Activists are calling on the Arab League to follow up on a regional
initiative to end the Syrian crisis by demanding guarantees that Syria’s
President Bashar Assad immediately stop using violence against protesters.
http://www.sfexaminer.com/news/2011/09/activists-call-arab-league-press-syria

Syria may buy more Russian air defense systems | Missiles …
Syria has shown interest in buying a whole range of advanced Russian air
defense systems, a source in the Russian defense industry told RIA Novosti
on.
http://www.defencetalk.com/syria-may-buy-more-russian-air-defense-systems-36961/

Syria military officers shed light on regime’s crackdown – wsbtradio …
Four defectors tell of the planning and organization behind President
Bashar Assad’s deadly offensive against protesters. Orders to shoot came
from top officials, …
http://www.radiomichiana.com/wnsn/news/world/la-fg-syria-defectors-20110909,0,5147552.story