By Ryan Mauro
Report: Obama Moving Towards Regime Change in Syria
Yes, you read that title correctly. According to the Associated Press, the Obama administration is close to changing course on Syria and supporting the removal of Bashar Assad from power. The decision has not yet been made - and this is likely a calculated leak meant to deliver a last warning to Assad - but this is nonetheless a huge change in policy. An official has told the AP: "we are getting close" to demanding the Syrian dictator’s resignation. Apparently the language is already being crafted, with the report stating: "The first step would be to say for the first time that President Bashar Assad has forfeited his legitimacy to rule." This will be coupled with language supporting a transition towards democracy - a softer way of saying two words the Obama administration is so reluctant to utter: "regime change." [more...]
Backlash in Pakistan
The Bin Laden raid has caused a fierce backlash in Pakistan as the U.S. is accused of violating the country’s sovereignty. The Pakistani government now faces enormous pressure, at home and from the U.S., and has chosen to tote an anti-American line and deny any wrongdoing. This atmosphere is giving momentum to the government’s political opponents who are pushing it to become even more hostile to the U.S. [more...]
Al-Qaeda's Rising Leaders
Al-Qaeda has confirmed the death of Osama Bin Laden but has not yet officially named a successor, indicating that the senior leadership is having difficulty communicating and possibly a reluctance to embrace Ayman al-Zawahiri as their new chief. New figures will fill the leadership gap left by Bin Laden’s absence and the inevitable arrests and deaths that will follow, but it is unclear if they can unite behind a common figurehead and strategy. [more...]
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