http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/obama-levies-tech-sanctions-syria-iran-16201086#.T58dM6uJcrU

This article covers the Obama Administrations crackdown on the interference of government on technology in repressed regimes that block citizens from expression and information. The sanctions push forth access powers to syrian people to use american controlled servers to circumvent the governments restrictions thus allowing a freer flow of information within and without the country.

Syria crisis: Damascus 'suicide bombing' kills 10

Syria crisis: Damascus 'suicide bombing' kills 10

An estimated toll of 9,000 people have now died in Syria and with the ceasefire in affect but seldom being applied, both protesters and President Bashar al-Assad's forces don't seem to be letting up. This most recent incident has now taken the lives of 10 people and injured 20. Coming from BBC News Middle East, this story shows the continued violence near the capital of Syria where a terrorist suicide bomber caused this blast in the Midan area. The bomber hit after civilians were leaving their Friday prayers in the Zain al-Abidin mosque. The UN has about 15 observers in Syria but the Security Council has approved the deployment of 300 in total. This talk of having 300 observes in Syria has now been going on for a few weeks. Some articles I have skimmed through mentioned wanting the observers there by the end of the month; however, there have been some international issues getting a few particular observers to Syria. Peace is of the utmost importance and the west wants to create that but they are pushing for an arms embargo and UN sanctions. China and Russia have declared that they will argue any authorized of military action.

The Globe and Mail

Protester "Killed by birdshot" Video

This video comes from The Globe and Mail, a Canadian news source. Although there is supposed to be a ceasefire in place between President al-Assad's forces and the protesters, the violence continues on, especially where this video takes place, in Douma, Syria. The report in this video concerns the death of a man by "birdshot" whose body was found badly bruised atop a building where a lot of gun shots had been fired in the air. 15,000 people came out to mourn his death and clashes continued between protesters and police after the funeral took place. The video concludes with a message that the violence is only projected to get worse unless the government intervenes.

In Cold Blood: Human Rights Watch Reports on Executions in Syria

This is Human Rights Watch's attempt to document, in detail, the executions that have been going on in Syria. They have based their outline and summarization of the executions on 30 interviews with those in Syria. They are only reporting verifiable accounts but the number of actual executions in the country is higher. 3 of the executions have eyewitness or video accounts. The regime has no boundaries and is murdering opposition  fighters, dissenting fighters, men, women, and children. These murders come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes shoulders round up men in a neighborhood and execute them while other times the military simply opens fire on neighborhoods, no one is safe.
This is another glimpse into the state of this country that the Assad regime is trying, and failing to hide. These first hand accounts show the brutality and the indifference of the regime. While many newspapers can easily report and sell papers by revealing the brutality of Assad, I think this is a very good source to learn about it because of its neutrality and its use of first hand sources.

Blush is off Syria's 'Rose of the Desert'

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2012/04/19/blush-syrias-rose-desert?utm_content=blogs&utm_campaign=Trial4&utm_source=twitter&utm_term=socialflow&utm_medium=tweet

This blog post from Al-Jazeera is about the Syrian First Lady, Asma al-Assad and the influence she can have on Syria.  A petition and a video have been going around urging her to use her political influence to stop her husband from killing the Syrian people.  As of now, the petition has nearly 20,000 signatures.  The closing lines of the petition state: "No one cares about your image. We care about your action. Right now.” 


From this, it is clear that the image of the Syrian first lady is a major part of her influence on the Syrian people.  She is a 36 year old, ex-London investment banker who married Assad in 2000.  She is nicknamed the "Rose of the Desert" and is a picture of Westernization to the Syrian people.  But, ever since the uprising began, she, along with her husband, have been placed on a list of Syrian officials whom are banned from certain countries, and her assets have been frozen.

UN To Send 300 Ceasefire Observers To Syria

This video posted by Russia Today details the UN agreement to send 300 observers into Syria. The vote to send more observers into Syria was aimed to enforce a truce that was signed last week.  The truce, which was to ceasefire in Syria has been broken many times since it was put into effect last week. The video questions if this second agreement will finally bring peace to Syria. The final six point piece plan was a compromise between two rival drafts proposed by Russia and the EU. The French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe was quoted saying the plan is “’the last chance before civil war.’”

China’s Position on Syria

http://carnegieendowment.org/2012/02/08/china-s-position-on-syria

After the Arab League tried to secure United Nations Security Council backing of its action plan for a political transition in Syria,” Russia and China vetoed it. Regardless, the violence in Syria is increasing and Assad is becoming more stubborn. As the situation in Syria becomes more problematic, China finds it difficult to remain neutral. Acoording to the article, “The core of Chinese policy is to pursue cooperation in the management of global affairs.” They have been opposed to military intervention and understand what it is like to have “Western intervention.” Even though, they want to be neutral, it is becoming more and more difficult. They vetoed the UN Security Council’ proposition to prevent western military intervention.