The ongoing conflict and political changes in Syria

The Assad Regime is accused of indiscriminately bombing residential neighborhoods, by Doctors Without Borders, in order to root out the insurgency. The village of Azaz along the Turkish border was bombed resulting in 20 civilian deaths and 99 injuries. The NYT covered this story in their article: "Dozens of Civilians Are Said to Be Killed by Syrian Airstrikes."

Syria's National Reconciliation Minister, Dr. Ali Haidar, proposed a solution to end the civil war. Dr. Haidar proposed a general reconciliation between the opposing factions. His plan calls for punishing individuals rebelling against the Assad Regime but also increasing social security spending in order to solve social issues that motivated the rebellion. The event was discussed at length in the SANA article: "Minister Haidar: Syria Will Emerge from Crisis Through Dialogue and National Reconciliation."

The Grand Mufti of Syria (an important religious leader in Islam), Dr. Ahmad Badr Eddin Hassoun stated that the nature of the conflict has been warped by media outlets. He believes the solution to SYria's conflict can be found by reaching out to the greater Islamic world and forging a closer alliance with Iran. His statements are described in the SANA article: "Hassoun, Akhtari Stress Need for Conveying Reality of Events in Syria to Islamic World."

The Assad Regime confirmed that an Israeli air-strike did damage a Syrian facility allegedly used to produce chemical weapons. Syria sent a letter to the U.N. in protest but friction between the two nations will increase. The air strike is described in greater detail by the NYT article: "Syria Says It Has Right to Counterattack Israel."

Suicide bombers attacked the Baath Party Headquarters and Russian Embassy in Damascus. The Assad Regime responded by firing scud missiles into Aleppo neighborhoods controlled by the resistance. The coverage of the attacks can be found in the NYT article: "Scud Missile Attack Reported in Aleppo."

The Supreme Iftaa Council declared that all Syrian nationals are obligated to defend Syria. The statement and its implications can be found on the SANA article: "Supreme Iftaa COuncil: Defending Unified Syria Duty on All Syrians."

Unknown individuals launched a rocket connected to a container of concentrated chlorine the Khan al-Assal area of Aleppo. The Free Syrian Army and Assad have each accused each other of perpetrating the attack; however, a general lack of clarity reigns. The SANA article "Al-Zoubi: Terrorists' Firing of Rocket with Chemical Substances in Aleppo is Serious Escalation" claims that rebels are responsible; however, the NYT article "Syria and Activists Trade Charges on Chemical Weapons" does not immediately accuse either side.

The Assad Regime has been financially weakened by the limited operating capacity of its oil fields. Before the conflict Syria produced 2.5 billion barrels of a poor quality oil. However, the resistance has seized oil refining facilities that limit the Assad Regime's ability to profit and supply fuel to its own forces. The economic implications are outlined in the NYT article: "Syria's Oil Resources Are a Source of COntention for COmpeting Groups."

Sheik Mohammad Said Ramada al-Bouti was killed in an explosion in Damascus. He was the most influential Sunni Cleric in Syria who continued to support the Assad Regime as described by the NYT article: "Pro-Assad Cleric Killed in Blast in Damascus."

Assad reached out to a summit of the B.R.I.C.S. nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) for support in the Syrian civil war. The details of the meeting are highlighted by the SANA article: "President al-Assad Calls upon BRICS to COntribute to Halting Violence in Syria."

Opposition leader, Sheik Ahmad Moaz al-Khatib, said he would be willing to negotiate with Assad to end the conflict if Assad will release an alleged 160,000 prisoners that he is secretly detaining. The proposal drew immediate criticism from other opposition leaders who refuse to negotiate with Assad under any circumstances. The details of the event are explained by the NYT article: "SYrian Opposition Leader Says He's Open to Talks, With Conditions."

The Assad Regime and Hezbollah have a long history of mutual support and cooperation. The two organizations are linked by their mutual Shia faith, anti-Western views and past military support. Hezbollah is aiding the Assad Regime by protecting communities loyal to the Assad Regime along the Lebanese border and deploying elements of their 4,000 man professional military against the Resistance. The development is covered by the NYT article: "Will Syria Bleed Hezbollah Dry?"

Within the resistance movement, the Democratic Union Party demanded greater autonomy for the Kurdish people concentrated in Syria's northeast. Kurdish militias have seized the opportunity to occupy several towns and facilities used to process oil. The development of the Kurdish movement within the resistance is detailed by the NYT article "Syria's Kurds Try to Balance Security and Alliances."

The resistance forcibly seized the largest hydroelectric dam in Syria, the Tabqa Dam. The clash and its implications can be found in the NYT article: "Syrian Insurgents Claim to COntrol Large Hydropower Dam."

The resistance battled government forces in the Aleppo Province, which resulted in the capture of the Al Jarrah Airfield. The airfield was frequently used as a base of operations for Assad's bombing campaign against the resistance. The details of the conflict can be found in the NYT article: "Syrian Rebels Say They Have Seized a Military Airfield."

The resistance has seized the strategically important, oil producing Hasaka Province. The seizure of this territory is chronicled in the NYT article: "Syrian Rebels Claim Near Control of a Key Province."

The Islamic State of Iraq has joined with the Syrian Islamist organization, Al-Nusra Front. The move immediately drew criticism from the Free Syrian Army as explained by the NYT article: "Iraq's Branch of Al Qaeda Merges with Syria Jihadists."