Epstein Secrets

e of his control of Syria's security forces, is "first in command, not second." Bashar's comment that he doesn't own the country is reminiscent of Qaddafi's denial that he had any position of authority in Libya at the beginning of the unrest there. Likewise reminiscent of Qaddafi, who repeatedly claim

at the claim is demonstrably false -- his calm demeanor during the interview underscored this distinction between him and the emotionally unstable Qaddafi. Perhaps a better comparison for Bashar is to Qaddafi's own designated successor, his son Saif al-Islam, who was also seen as a potential force of

of the Arab plan on December 19. Expectations by most regional experts and officials are that sooner or later the Syrian file will be referred to the United Nations Security Council, and a Turkish-led international military intervention would be inevitable. However, the resilience of the Syrian regime has surprised many, but so

and urged Israel to ease its blockade of Gaza and to allow Palestinian security forces to expand their role in the West Bank. World Powers Call on Qaddafi to Step Down A gathering of some 40 nations and institutions meeting in London on Tuesday on the Libyan crisis put pressure on the country's leade

mposing the no-fly zone. U.S. Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton hinted during a visit to Britain that it would permissible to arm the rebels under the United Nations Security Council resolution authorizing the no-fly zone. That view was echoed by U.S. President Barack Obama in his address to the nation on Tuesday night when he

ns in Mali and Niger over several decades, and analysts in the region say the most recent uprising in Mali is closely linked to the fall of Colonel Qaddafi, whose weapons are suspected of playing a major role in the Malian rebels' success. That success led to intense frustration in the 7,00o-strong Mal

e the situation on its own. On Dec. 13, a new prime minister, Diango Cissoko, was sworn in and took office. . Authorizes Mali Force The next week, the United Nations Security Council unanimously approved a resolution to send thousands of African troops into Mali to help oust Islamist extremists who have turned its northern half