To the Point
Should the US Arm Syrian Rebels?
America's new Secretary of State is taking another shot at diplomacy. But with Assad getting help from US rivals, how much longer can we refuse to arm Syrian opposition?
By Warren Olney • • 51m ListenTyphoid and hepatitis are the latest results of Syria's bloody violence as America's new Secretary of State, John Kerry, takes another shot at diplomacy. With the al-Assad regime getting help from American rivals, how much longer can the US refuse to help arm al-Assad's opposition? Also, Italian elections rock financial markets, and same-sex marriage divides the Republicans.
Banner image: A fighter from the Free Syrian Army's Tahrir al Sham brigade eats his breakfast as another fighter runs carrying yogurts for their comrades during heavy fighting in Mleha suburb of Damascus January 25, 2013. Photo by Goran Tomasevic/Reuters
In this episode
3 storiesItalian Elections Rock Financial Markets
Italy's most recently promised its Eurozone partners -- and the rest of the financial world -- to continue its regime of austerity measures. But in yesterday's general election, voters chose both the left and the right, coalitions that want to relieve -- or even reverse -- financial sacrifice.
Read the story7 minShould the US Arm Syrian Rebels?
After just three weeks as Secretary of State, John Kerry is trying to prevent Syria's "bloody stalemate" from disrupting the world's most volatile region. Russia, Hezbollah — and especially Iran — are aiding the Assad regime while America's refusal to arm opponents is seen as betrayal.
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Next month, the US Supreme Court will hear arguments on California's Proposition 8, which says marriage can only be between a man and a woman. Thursday is the deadline for so-called "friend of the court" briefs, and today's New York Times reports that top Republicans have split with their party platform in support of overturning that law.
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