Stories about Syria from August, 2012
Save Syria's Threatened Heritage Sites
Alongside the mounting death toll, a massacre is being perpetrated against Syria's heritage. Little is being said about this issue in both mainstream and social media, writes Thalia Rahme.
France: An Epic Flight from Paris to Beirut – via Damascus
An Air France flight from Paris to Beirut on August 15, turned into a 20-hour nightmare for its passengers, including the French Ambassador to Lebanon. After diverting to Damascus, Syria, for fuel and security reasons, the crew then had to ask around for money to pay for the kerosene after their credit card was refused.
Syria: You are an Embarrassment to the Revolution
There are seven tell-tale signs for those who are "an embarrassment to the revolution" - any revolution. On Twitter, Syrian @NMSyria lists those signs.
Lebanon: It's Back to Kidnapping Time
A wave of kidnappings is taking place between Lebanon and Syria. While the Lebanese government seems incapable of acting, these events are reminding Lebanese of the civil war they lived with for 30 years. Netizens are angry and are blaming all parties.
Syria: Give the Nobel Peace Prize to the Syrian People
Syrian netizens have a dream – that the Syrian people would be awarded the Nobel peace prize this year. They even have a dedicated website to push the cause, with...
Arab World: Scenes of Eid from Syria, Palestine and Bahrain
Eid Al Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim month of fasting - Ramadan, was commemorated with three days of celebrations across the Arab world, or so goes the tradition. Instead, celebrations were muted as Syria buried its dead and Bahrain laid to rest a 16-year-old teenager killed by police.
Syria: Ali Farzat Insults Al Arabia Anchor for her Sect
Al Arabiya correspondent Alia Ibrahim was allegedly insulted by famous Syrian cartoonist Ali Farzat for her sect. What happened saddened Syrian activist Mohammed Al Abdallah [ar] who apologized on the...
Bulgaria: Syrian and Iraqi Refugees on Hunger Strike
Bulgarian newspaper Dnevnik reports [bg] that 25 asylum seekers (21 Syrians and four Iraqis) went on hunger strike to protest the slowness of the asylum-granting procedures at the detention center...
Syria: #InMySyria the Streets Will Be Full of Freedom
Syrian netizens are dreaming of a new dawn for their country, where people breathe freedom, live in equality and sectarianism is a thing of the past. Check out their vision for the future under the hash tag #InMySyria on Twitter.
Syria: Assad Arrests Alawite Activists
Syrian Darth Nader tweets: “Arrest of tens of Alawite activists by Assad regime for organizing relief efforts for those under siege in #Homs, #Syria.” Assad himself is of the Alawite...
Saudi Arabia: Defending the Virtue of Syrian Women?
On August 11, Bader Al Domiat from Saudi Arabia tweeted a message saying there were around 300 Syrian widows looking for husbands. The message caused outrage among Saudi netizens who apologized from their Syrian brothers and harshly condemned Al Domiat, who immediately suspended his account.
Bahrain: Salafists Provide Aid to Syrian Rebels
Salafist MPs from Bahrain visited Syria, where they provided assistance to the Free Syrian Army, says The Angry Arab News Service.
Syria: Military Intervention or Civil War?
After the International Committee of the Red Cross announcement that it considers the conflict in Syria to be a full-blown civil war, Western media sites and bloggers have been debating the issue. Rami Alhames tunes into the conversation.
Syria: “I Tweeted Prime Minister Riad Hijab's Defection First”
A Syrian Twitter user claims that he was the first to break the news that Syrian Prime Minister Riad Farid Hijab would defect a week ago. The Twitter user goes by the name @THE_47th and is also credited with announcing other defections well before mainstream media.
Global: BRICS vs. NATO – Battlefield of Ideas on Interventions
China’s and Russia’s recent decision to veto the United Nations Security Council resolution against Syria -has reignited the debate over the relationship between 'new' powers Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - the BRICS - with 'old' powers - NATO - in international interventions.
