World News Insights
1-3 Minute Gist
Search, personalize, or simply browse. Follow the world around you from gist and context to insights.
Who we are | Our Credo | Ways of using Lyrarc | FAQ | Send Feedback | First Letter From the Editor
Sign up. It's free and easy to use
Create an account
to personalize your feed of articles and topics.
All Topics Article
Saudi Arabia gets forceful on foreign policy - The Washington Post
Keywords:
Nawaf Obaid, a fellow of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, is also senior fellow at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies. Here he describes the events leading to the Saudi turndown of a seat on the UN Security Council. The Saudi foreign policy establishment made this decision after several weeks of debate in Jeddah considering the U.S. and Russia's effort to make only a muted criticism of the use of chemical weapons in Syria in the Security Council; and the U.S. effort to have the British, French and Saudis give up on demands for firm language in a Security Council resolution on action to be taken against the use of chemical weapons. For the Saudis, says Obaid, better not taking a temporary seat on the UN Security Council, than to be left a docile member without its own voice and the voice of others in the international community being heard. Obaid also points out that this is the beginning of Saudi effort to exercize its own influence in the Middle East, as it faces three separate developments in 2013- the Iranian rapprochement with the West under new president Rouhani, the Arab Awakening and the new consciousness in the Middle East, the U.S. policy under president Obama of not taking leadership in the Middle East. This also comes as the Saudis parted ways with the Obama administration on the role of the military in Egypt, and has differences with Turkey and Quatar on support for Islamic groups in Egypt and Syria.
Nawaf Obaid on the events leading to Saudi turndown of a seat on UN Security Council and changes in Saudi-U.S. relations
05/14/2008
The Obama administration succumbing to pressure from Russia pushed for the British, French and Saudis to give up their effort to include firm language for action against the Assad regime in a Security Council resolution on the use of chemical weapons. For the Saudis, says Obaid, this was more evidence of dysfunction in the working of the Security Council allowing the slaughter in Syria to continue.
Grouped Articles
Saudi Arabia gets forceful on foreign policy - The Washington Post
Washington Post 10/25/2013
Wall Street Journal 10/25/2013
Rice Offers a More Modest Strategy for Mideast
New York Times 10/26/2013
Fouad Ajami: When the Obama Magic Died
Wall Street Journal 11/15/2013
Prince Alwaleed bin Talal: An Ally Frets About American Retreat
Wall Street Journal 11/22/2013
As Syrian Chemical Attack Loomed, Missteps Doomed Civilians
Wall Street Journal 11/23/2013
The shift in the Saudi position in 2013 to actively bring down the Assad regime in Syria
08/25/2013
Grouped Articles
A Veteran Saudi Power Player Works To Build Support to Topple Assad
Wall Street Journal 08/25/2013
U.S., Allies Prepare to Act as Syria Intelligence Mounts
Wall Street Journal 08/27/2013
With the World Watching, Syria Amassed Nerve Gas
New York Times 09/07/2013
Saudi Arabia gets forceful on foreign policy - The Washington Post
Washington Post 10/25/2013
Wall Street Journal 10/25/2013
U.S. and Saudis in Growing Rift as Power Shifts
New York Times 11/25/2013
Spillover effects for Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. from the civil war in Syria- Sept-Nov. 2012 and by 2014
05/21/2011
The Syrian civil war is spilling over into Iraq. Iraq is unable to protect its airspace from being used by Iran to ship supplies to the Assad regime, or to prevent Turkey's warplanes from using Iraqi airspace to attack Kurdish separatists. There is also a danger of a Sunni-Shiite conflict being exacerabated by former Sunni insurgents in Iraq joining up with Sunni refugees from Syria. The Maliki government in Iraq is moving closer to Iran as the Syrian civil war escalates and brings Sunnis together against the Assad regime. Turkey is also seeing the effects of a flow of refugees on its border with Syria. The Obama administration has been slow to respond to the rapidly developing situation as it concentrates on a complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq with the lack of agreement on a residual U.S. troop presence. This leaves the U.S. less than the minimum leverage that is needed just as the sectarian divisions are worsening, after years of investing resources in the region. With the EU countries focussed on economic problems, and the Obama administration's lack of active support for the Free Syria movement, the broader involvement of Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Russia in the region, the situation is likely to lead to an international crisis without U.S. leadership.
Grouped Articles
New York Times 04/22/2013
Clashes Carry Worries of a New Civil War
New York Times 04/28/2013
âBeyond War,â by David Rohde
New York Times 05/03/2013
Pentagon Plans for the Worst in Syria
Wall Street Journal 05/07/2013
What if the U.S. doesn’t intervene in Syria? - The Washington Post
Washington Post 05/09/2013
Why did Mr. Obama overrule his advisers on Syria? - The Washington Post
Washington Post 05/09/2013
A detailed account of the events in September 2013 involving Obama, Kerry, Hagel, White House and Congressional officials as president Obama reversed policy on Syria
09/16/2013
Grouped Articles
Inside White House, a Head-Spinning Reversal on Chemical Weapons
Wall Street Journal 09/16/2013
Wall Street Journal 09/16/2013
Saudi Arabia gets forceful on foreign policy - The Washington Post
Washington Post 10/25/2013
Rice Offers a More Modest Strategy for Mideast
New York Times 10/26/2013
Fouad Ajami: When the Obama Magic Died
Wall Street Journal 11/15/2013
‘America Must Always Lead,’ Obama Tells West Point Graduates
New York Times 05/28/2014
Retired British diplomat Charles Crawford on on how U.S. policy on chemical weapons in Syria of president Obama has failed
09/11/2013
Crawford writes in the British daily, The Telegraph, on Sept. 10, 2013, on how sadly things have gone wrong. He calls it the worst day in western diplomatic history.
Grouped Articles
Wall Street Journal 09/11/2013
What Putin Has to Say to Americans About Syria
New York Times 09/11/2013
Elite Syrian Unit Scatters Chemical Arms Stockpile
Wall Street Journal 09/13/2013
Obama Is Lost in the Mideast Bazaar
Wall Street Journal 09/12/2013
Inside White House, a Head-Spinning Reversal on Chemical Weapons
Wall Street Journal 09/16/2013
Wall Street Journal 09/16/2013
The Obama administration slow response to the situation in Syria
08/23/2011
Grouped Articles
Israel Says Syria Has Used Chemical Weapons
New York Times 04/23/2013
New York Times 04/22/2013
What if the U.S. doesn’t intervene in Syria? - The Washington Post
Washington Post 05/09/2013
Why did Mr. Obama overrule his advisers on Syria? - The Washington Post
Washington Post 05/09/2013
New York Times 05/05/2013
Wall Street Journal 08/23/2011
The use of chemical weapons by the Assad government in Syria and the failure of the U.S. Obama administration's response in Syria
08/23/2011
The western world looks on as chemical weapons are used repeatedly by Syria's Assad government, according to some reports. The lack of leadership from the U.S., France, Britain and Germany. The failure of the Russian government under Putin to separate global geopolitics from the aspirations of the people of Syria for freedom and democracy and the use of artillery and bombing of civilian population.
Grouped Articles
Israel Says Syria Has Used Chemical Weapons
New York Times 04/23/2013
New York Times 04/22/2013
Obamaâs Vow on Chemical Weapons Puts Him in Tough Spot
New York Times 05/04/2013
Pentagon Plans for the Worst in Syria
Wall Street Journal 05/07/2013
What if the U.S. doesn’t intervene in Syria? - The Washington Post
Washington Post 05/09/2013
Why did Mr. Obama overrule his advisers on Syria? - The Washington Post
Washington Post 05/09/2013
The new dynamic in the Middle East with Turkey, Qatar and Egypt's support for Islamic groups in Syria and Saudi Arabia's wariness- 2013-2014
09/18/2011
The Saudi and Jordanian royal family finds itself on one side as Turkey, Quatar and Egypt take the lead in supporting Islamic groups fighting the Assad regime. The Saudis and Turkey call for the U.S. to actively intervene in the conflict in 2013.
Grouped Articles
Arabs Ask U.S. to Lead on Syria
Wall Street Journal 05/09/2013
Turkey’s Erdogan to air policy differences with Obama - The Washington Post
Washington Post 05/13/2013
Qatar's Aid to Egypt Raises Fears on Motives
Wall Street Journal 05/19/2013
Turkey Predicts Partnership With Egypt as Regional Anchors
New York Times 09/18/2011
Protests Widen in Turkey; Riot Police Pull Back
Wall Street Journal 06/01/2013
Development Won’t Ensure Democracy in Turkey
New York Times 06/05/2013
Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar's support for the democracy movement in Syria
05/21/2011
Grouped Articles
Arabs Ask U.S. to Lead on Syria
Wall Street Journal 05/09/2013
Turkey’s Erdogan to air policy differences with Obama - The Washington Post
Washington Post 05/13/2013
In Surprise, Emir of Qatar Plans to Abdicate, Handing Power to Son
New York Times 06/24/2013
Qatar's Emir Hands Power to Son
Wall Street Journal 06/26/2013
A Veteran Saudi Power Player Works To Build Support to Topple Assad
Wall Street Journal 08/25/2013
U.S., Allies Prepare to Act as Syria Intelligence Mounts
Wall Street Journal 08/27/2013
Israel, Saudi Arabia and the democratic transition in Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Syria and the Arab world- 2011-2012
05/14/2008
Grouped Articles
Syria Condemns Israel for Air Assault Near Damascus
New York Times 05/05/2013
Israel Escalating Efforts to Shape Alliesâ Strategy
New York Times 08/18/2013
A Veteran Saudi Power Player Works To Build Support to Topple Assad
Wall Street Journal 08/25/2013
U.S., Allies Prepare to Act as Syria Intelligence Mounts
Wall Street Journal 08/27/2013
Saudi Arabia gets forceful on foreign policy - The Washington Post
Washington Post 10/25/2013
As the Middle East Burns, the Saudis Ease Up at Home
Wall Street Journal 06/25/2014
Bill Keller of the NYT's message to U.S. president Obama on Egypt and Syria
05/05/2013
Grouped Articles
New York Times 08/25/2013
U.S. Prepares for Solo Strike On Syria After Britain Balks
Wall Street Journal 08/30/2013
Wall Street Journal 08/29/2013
Wall Street Journal 09/01/2013
GOP Leader Rallies for Obama Plan
Wall Street Journal 09/04/2013
New York Times 09/08/2013
The consensus in the Obama administration to support Syria's democracy forces in summer 2011, and the U.S. president's failure to act
08/23/2011
Defense Secretary describes the plans supported by key members of the National Security team to support Syrian democracy forces in the summer of 2011- supported by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Secretary of State Clinton, General Dempsey of the Joint Chiefs, and CIA director Petraeus. The president failed to act because of approaching elections and the general hesitation to act that was displayed since the start of the democracy movement in Tunisia, and then through the movement's spread to Egypt, Libya, followed by Syria. The U.S. failed to grasp an opportunity for the Free World and create goodwill in the Arab world by standing up to its ideals of democracy and freedom.
Grouped Articles
Israel Says Syria Has Used Chemical Weapons
New York Times 04/23/2013
New York Times 04/22/2013
Pentagon Plans for the Worst in Syria
Wall Street Journal 05/07/2013
What if the U.S. doesn’t intervene in Syria? - The Washington Post
Washington Post 05/09/2013
Why did Mr. Obama overrule his advisers on Syria? - The Washington Post
Washington Post 05/09/2013
New York Times 05/05/2013
The Obama plan that calls for Congressional approval for action in Syria.
09/04/2013
Grouped Articles
GOP Leader Rallies for Obama Plan
Wall Street Journal 09/04/2013
9 questions about Syria you were too embarrassed to ask | WorldViews
Washington Post 09/07/2013
New York Times 09/08/2013
President Makes a Tough Pitch to Weary Nation
Wall Street Journal 09/10/2013
Planned as Call to Act, Obamaâs Speech Became a Plea for Time
New York Times 09/11/2013
Inside White House, a Head-Spinning Reversal on Chemical Weapons
Wall Street Journal 09/16/2013
The WSJ on the faltering and indecision of the Obama administration's position on Syria
06/14/2013
Grouped Articles
Wall Street Journal 06/14/2013
Heavy Pressure Led to Decision by Obama on Syrian Arms
New York Times 06/14/2013
Wall Street Journal 09/01/2013
GOP Leader Rallies for Obama Plan
Wall Street Journal 09/04/2013
9 questions about Syria you were too embarrassed to ask | WorldViews
Washington Post 09/07/2013
New York Times 09/08/2013
We took a different way to help millions around the world build educated informed mindsets that affects and shapes their lives. For a future that is open, global and digital, with everyone having access to high quality information. We believe in the renewal of America, renewal of Europe, the renewal of India, the rest of Asia, Latin America and Africa. The renewal of our supply chains, health, education, infrastructure, as we rebuild our countries after the pandemic. Literacy and knowledge we believe cannot thrive and grow in a world of web bots, web crawlers, or AI. This requires human curiosity, human learning, and human imagination. We take as inspiration the saying- “One has to be free, and as broad as sky. One has to have a mind that is crystal clear, only then can truth shine in it.” Every contribution whether big or small is precious- in this crisis and ahead.
Support Lyrarc from as small as $1
Terms and Conditions | Copyright Policy | Privacy Policy | Contact Us