US can afford to stay out of Syria and probably will

WASHINGTON

Possibility of intervention in Syria raise all sorts of questions

WASHINGTON

Obama's looking like a wussy substitute teacher

To be a good president requires the combined skills of chess master and middle-school teacher.

Hagel: US rethinking possibly arming Syrian rebels

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is rethinking its opposition to arming the rebels who have been locked in a civil war with the Syrian regime for more than two years, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Thursday, becoming the first top U.S. official to publicly acknowledge the reassessment.

Confusing rhetoric about Syria and the 'red line'

WASHINGTON

Obama's 'red line' on Syria a whole bunch of murk

WASHINGTON -

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Fitz Blog: One nation's bold response to the meteorite threat

This past week we found ourselves attacked by an object from outer space. Central Russia was the victim of an unprovoked assault by an unknown assailant with a 10-ton meteor. We ask that this aggression be met with an equal response to demonstrate we , the people of earth, led by, we, the Un…

Fitz Blog: Headline of the day

True Headline: Iran sends monkey into space. Top 8 variations:

Obama admonishes McCain, GOP over criticism of U.N. Amb. Rice

WASHINGTON — Setting an unflinching tone for his second term, President Barack Obama on Wednesday accused two top Republicans senators of lobbing outrageous criticism at his United Nations ambassador instead of confronting him directly over a deadly attack on Americans in Libya.

Video diverts Syria scrutiny

For the embattled Syrian regime, the crudely produced film mocking Islam that has unleashed fury across the Muslim world could not have come at a better time.

Five police killed in 1 of 2 Damascus bombings

Two vehicles exploded within hours of each other Friday in Syria's once-impregnable capital of Damascus, killing at least five police officers as rebels increasingly target President Bashar Assad's seat of power.

Turkey vows 'steps' after Syria shoots down its fighter jet

Turkey vowed to take "necessary steps" after concluding that Syria had shot down a Turkish fighter jet along the Syrian border on Friday, sending tensions soaring in the already fraught region.

Pro-Assad city of Aleppo now site of Syria protests

Demonstrators said to be in a Damascus suburb march against Syrian President Bashar Assad. In Aleppo, security forces fired tear gas and live ammunition to disperse other marchers.

Pro-Assad city of Aleppo now site of Syria protests

Syrian forces on Friday fired on protesters holding the largest opposition marches yet in Aleppo, a sign of rising anti-regime sentiment in the country's biggest city, which has largely remained supportive of President Bashar Assad throughout the 15-month uprising.

McCain: US should lead on Syria airstrikes

WASHINGTON — Arizona Sen. John McCain is calling for the United States to lead an international effort to begin air strikes on Syria.

Raytheon nets big Israeli project

Tucson-based Raytheon Missile Systems has been awarded two contracts worth more than $100 million by an Israeli government contractor to design and develop a new missile-defense system.

Suicide blasts kill 147 in heart of Baghdad

BAGHDAD — A pair of suicide car bombings Sunday devastated the heart of Iraq's capital, killing at least 147 people in the country's deadliest attack in more than two years. The bombs targeted two government buildings and called into question Iraq's ability to protect its people as U.S. forc…

Suicide blasts kill 147 in heart of Baghdad

Abbas decrees elections —with Hamas or without it

RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Saturday that his government would hold presidential and parliamentary elections Jan. 24, regardless of whether it reaches a power-sharing deal with the rival militant Hamas group that rules the Gaza Strip.