Syrian Bombs Follow Refugees To 'Liberated' City of Azaz The inhabitants of Azaz — always an unruly lot known for smuggling, and in some cases, drug running — were in a celebratory mood as they showed off their “liberated” city. Still, in the bloody aftermath of the recent bombing, efforts to form new institiutions, like courts, remain a challenge. Justin Vela reports for Al-Monitor. Syria
Why West Should Curb Hostility To Non-Aligned Summit in Tehran The Non-Aligned Movement summit August 26–31 will be a diplomatic coup for Iran, write Abbas Maleki and Kaveh Afrasiabi, bolstering its international clout and "inalienable right" to enrich uranium. Though many governments have reacted negatively to the Tehran summit, the authors call for a more nuanced Western approach. Iran
Israel Attack on Iran Runs Risk of Massive Missile Retaliation Uzi Rubin, the founder and first director of Israel’s Missile Defense Organization, tells Al-Monitor's Barbara Slavin that he believes if Israel attacks Iran, the Israeli heartland could face retaliation from more than 10,000 missiles based in Iran, Syria, Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. Originals
Is There a Syrian Medvedev? To find a solution in Syria, the US should consider a renewed parallel diplomatic track with Moscow, Tehran and Ankara, Andrew Parasiliti writes. The objective: Encourage the emergence of a "Syrian Medvedev," a transitional figure acceptable to the regime, the Syrian people and the relevant outside powers, allowing Assad a face-saving way out. Syria
Netanyahu and Barak Gambling With Israeli Lives, US Relations Yossi Melman writes that Israel's prime minister and defense minister are clearly preparing the groundwork for a cabinet vote on whether to bomb Iran. Why the rush? Netanyahu and Barak may be trying to provoke Iran to lose its nerve and stage a pre-emptive strike, which is dangerous enough, but they should also take care to preserve US support. Israel
Dennis Ross: Israel's Iran Threats Aimed at Spurring Global Action Part of Israel's motivation for being so public about a possible attack on Iran is to prepare Israelis and the rest of the world for an actual attack, said Mideast troubleshooter Dennis Ross in an interview with Al-Monitor's Laura Rozen. The rhetoric isn't just a bluff, but that doesn't mean there's a day-after strategy. Israel
Iranian Charity and Banker Say US Sanctions Hurting Patients The Iranian Hemophilia Society and a Tehran-based banker allege that US-led sanctions are keeping needed drugs and medical products from Iranians with life-threatening conditions. At least one Iranian-American organization says they're right. Iran
Syrian Influx Unnerves Turks in Border Towns While the Syrian regime looks increasingly precarious, many Turks worry about the burgeoning refugee camps and wish that the Turkish government would move them into a buffer zone on the Syrian side of the border. On site at the camps, Tulin Daloglu shares refugee stories and the perspectives of uneasy Turks. Syria
Ex-Obama Official Warns: Take Israel Iran Threat 'Very Seriously' Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Colin Kahl told Al-Monitor's Laura Rozen that he takes the signs that Israeli leaders are contemplating a fall strike on Iran “very seriously.” He said there is clearly a crescendo emerging and "Israeli leadership is building a case that they can trust no one but themselves on this issue." Read the full interview. Israel
White House Rejects Blanket OK For Aid to Iranian Quake Victims The Obama administration has refused blanket approval for humanitarian assistance that could help save the lives of thousands of earthquake survivors in northeastern Iran. An American well-versed about the issue told Al-Monitor that the White House is sensitive to election-year charges of being soft on Iran. Iran
Where the Rebels Rule: Syria's Boys of Summer Syria's former prime minister, who defected last week, said the Assad regime is crumbling and controls only about 30% of the country. In Jabal Zawiya, a village under rebel control in a strategic spot between Aleppo and the coast, boy soldiers with Kalshnikovs and walkie-talkies rule, writes Katie Paul, who also shares photos from her journey. Syria
Iran President Shuns Victims Of Quake for Saudi Summit President Ahmadinejad’s decision to attend a summit in Mecca instead of visiting Iran's earthquake-striken region has opened him up to new charges of insensitivity and arrogance, writes Meir Javedanfar. He suggests that Iran's Supreme Leader let the president go to Saudi Arabia to further weaken support for Ahmadinejad’s administration. Saudi Arabia
Is Khamenei Preparing Iran For a Nuclear Concession? Despite his defiant rhetoric, Iran's Supreme Leader may be looking for a way out of the nation's isolation, writes Fatemah Aman. As sanctions take their toll and Iran's Syrian ally weakens, Khamenei’s website has begun stressing the importance of flexibility in dealing with the enemy. But does he have the charisma to silence the hardliners? Iran
Syrian Conflict Strains Bonds Of Families and Lovers One deeply distressing consequence of the Syrian crisis is the increasing number of families breaking up over support for either the FSA or the regime. Divisions emerge in the city and country, among the rich and poor, and few are even aware of the extent to which their lives are affected by national and international geo-politics. Syria
Cyberattack on Lebanese Banks: Are Iran, Syria Finances Target? A sophisticated virus has been spying on Lebanese bank accounts for months. Mustapha Hamoui gives context for understanding what may be part of a campaign to use Lebanese banks to pressure the Iranian nuclear program, and might also target the finances of the Syrian regime and Hezbollah's money-laundering operations. Lebanon
Syria's Man in Lebanon Arrested: Three Reasons to Pay Attention Lebanon's former Information Minister Michel Samaha was unceremoniously arrested in his home early Thursday and allegedly confessed to participating in a plan to transfer explosives from Syria to Lebanon, writes Elias Muhanna. While the facts are still murky, this doesn't happen in Lebanon, raising eyebrows about what's really going on behind the scenes. Lebanon
