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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Should 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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    By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    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. Saudi Arabia is reportedly sending Croatian weapons to anti-government forces, who saved Kerry embarrassment by agreeing to show up at a meeting later this week. With 70,000 Syrians already dead and 850,000 turned into refugees, is there any hope of stopping the carnage any time soon?

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Should the US Arm Syrian Rebels?
    1. 0:00Italian Elections Rock Financial Markets
    2. 7:36Should the US Arm Syrian Rebels?You’re reading this
    3. 42:34Republicans Weigh In against Prop 8
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • KCRW placeholder

      Christian Bordal

      Managing Producer, Greater LA

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Anna Scott

      Former KCRW Housing and Homelessness Reporter

    • Sonya Geis with wavy brown hair wearing a black dress with red accents and decorative earrings against a white background.

      Sonya Geis

      Senior Managing Editor

    • KCRW placeholder

      Abigail Fielding-Smith

      Financial Times

    • KCRW placeholder

      Karen DeYoung

      Washington Post

    • KCRW placeholder

      Michael Doran

      Brookings Institution

      NewsNationalPolitics

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Should the US Arm Syrian Rebels?
    1. 0:00Italian Elections Rock Financial Markets
    2. 7:36Should the US Arm Syrian Rebels?You’re reading this
    3. 42:34Republicans Weigh In against Prop 8
    Back to To the Point