Epstein Secrets

e moderate because they bore the brunt of economic boycotts and military clashes with Israel. Exiled Hamas bosses living in the relative comfort of Damascus, however, could afford to take a tougher stance. But the "Arab Spring" has turned the equation on its head, with longtime hard-liners who had resid

country, and that some in his government had sound liberalising, pro-Western instincts. Those hopes were dashed by Mr Putin's swatting aside of Mr Medvedev last September to allow his own return to the Kremlin, the rigging of elections, his crackdown on Moscow's protesters and his new Nyet posture. Th

more polarised. A growing number want to see the end of the regime; many still cling to it as better than an uncertain alternative, particularly in Damascus. The middle ground has been shrinking. The result has been an apparent stalemate. Protesters gain ground but have yet to cross the crucial threshol

s particularly vulnerable to upheaval from both within and without, especially if the Taliban were to prevail in Afghanistan. On June 14, President Medvedev, speaking in Tashkent, made clear that these revolutions concern Russia and its Central Asian partners. Indeed, by April it was clear to Moscow tha

ary 27, 2012 -- Hamas's no longer undisputed leader Khaled Mashaal is now in deep trouble. He's having difficulty finding a new home after leaving Damascus, and during his travels across the Arab world, he's meeting with growing opposition to his policies from within his own movement. This is the most

ction, Assad's forces are now slaughtering civilians in the streets at an even greater rate. Referring to the bloodshed, the king ominously warned Medvedev that Saudi Arabia "will never abandon its religious and moral obligations towards what's happening." The last time the Saudis decided they had a m

uary 27, 2012 -- Hamas's no longer undisputed leader Khaled Mashaal is now in deep trouble. He's having difficulty finding a new home after leaving Damascus, and during his travels across the Arab EFTA00686798 world, he's meeting with growing opposition to his policies from within his own movement. T

action, Assad's forces are now slaughtering civilians in the streets at an even greater rate. Referring to the bloodshed, the king ominously warned Medvedev that Saudi Arabia "will never abandon its religious and moral obligations towards what's happening." EFTA00686804 The last time the Saudis decide

slie H. Gelb Article 5. The Daily Star A Turkish model of governance for the Arabs? Mustafa Akyol Article 6. The National Interest Dead End in Damascus Ariel Cohen Article 7. Yale-Global The Muslim Brotherhood and Egypt's Economy? EFTA00686997 Mohamed El Dahshan .4,t de 1. NYT Unity Deal Br

n principle to sell Damascus a massive weapons package, which included war planes, short-range air-defense systems and anti-tank weapons. President Medvedev signed a formal military agreement in May 2010 expanding arms sales. In the last decade, Russia has sold well over a $1 billion in arms to Syria, i

s reported at least 34 soldiers killed. Yesterday, the FSA attacked the headquarters of the Air Force Intelligence Agency at Harasta near the capital Damascus. Since Hafez al-Assad, an air-force officer and Bashar's father, seized power in a coup in 1970, the AIA has been the nerve center of the regime's se

ugh international sanctions on Iran and Syria. Obama seemed to have made friends with President Dmitry HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_031959 --- PAGE BREAK --- 20 Medvedev, but relations with Russia may only get tougher, with Vladimir Putin's likely return to the Russian presidency. Arab Spring: After a slow start, the