In an effort to increase its negotiating leverage during Syria peace talks in Vienna, the Obama administration has adopted a combined military and diplomatic approach that resembles a strategy employed last year to strong-arm Iran into negotiating with the West over its nuclear program.
In Syria, as in Iran, Washington is trying to pressure defiant parties into accepting the West's terms by changing facts on the ground.
With Iran, it was economic sanctions, an increased military presence in the Persian Gulf, and a covert intelligence war. With Syria, it is a timeline for the departure of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the (perhaps symbolic) deployment of 50 special-operations forces to northeastern Syria to help local elements fight ISIS, and a covert CIA program to arm moderate Syrian rebels with antitank missiles.
The French have scrapped a state dinner with the leader of Iran after the Iranian delegation took issue with the menu, including the serving of wine.
Presidents François Hollande and Hassan Rouhani were all set to have dinner during Rouhani’s tour of Europe this weekend. But dinner was scrapped after the Iranians demanded that it conform to Islamic dietary standards: meaning halal meat and, crucially, no alcohol.
The French, who have a strong tradition of strict secularism in government affairs, balked at the request. They suggested instead a meatless and alcohol-free breakfast, but the Iranians found that “cheap” and too informal. Instead, the two leaders will meet in a face-to-face chat, sans food or alcohol at all.
By AP
BEIRUT — The U.N. force in Lebanon says authorities have taken into custody one of the mission’s Lebanese employees on suspicion of spying for Israel. The force, known as UNIFIL, says in a statement Wednesday that after reviewing the information provided by authorities, the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has determined that the allegations against the staffer do not appear to be related to his official functions. On Tuesday, a military prosecutor charged three people for conspiring with Israel. The U.N. employee is the fourth person that is being investigated but has not been charged yet because of the special permission that was needed from UNIFIL.
By Abigail James (CALIFORNIA NETWORK)
LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The 200 children were forced to lie stretched out in the dirt side-by-side in a single long line. At least 12 gunmen, armed with assault rifles and handguns, are seen standing behind the children.
The first militant opens fire at "point blank range" shooting each child, making his way down the row. The other militants then begin shooting causing the area to fill with dust, clouding the camera's vision. A clear sustained sound of gunfire can be heard throughout the entire original recording.
Population Movements to Keserwan - The Khazens and The Maans
ما جاء عن الثورة في المقاطعة الكسروانية
ثورة أهالي كسروان على المشايخ الخوازنة وأسبابها
Origins of the "Prince of Maronite" Title
Growing diversity: the Khazin sheiks and the clergy in the first decades of the 18th century
Historical Members:
Barbar Beik El Khazen [English]
Patriach Toubia Kaiss El Khazen(Biography & Life Part1 Part2) (Arabic)
Patriach Youssef Dargham El Khazen (Cont'd)
Cheikh Bishara Jafal El Khazen
Patriarch Youssef Raji El Khazen
The Martyrs Cheikh Philippe & Cheikh Farid El Khazen
Cheikh Nawfal El Khazen (Consul De France)
Cheikh Hossun El Khazen (Consul De France)
Cheikh Abou-Nawfal El Khazen (Consul De France)
Cheikh Francis Abee Nader & his son Yousef
Cheikh Abou-Kanso El Khazen (Consul De France)
Cheikh Abou Nader El Khazen
Cheikh Chafic El Khazen
Cheikh Keserwan El Khazen
Cheikh Serhal El Khazen [English]
Cheikh Rafiq El Khazen [English]
Cheikh Hanna El Khazen
Cheikha Arzi El Khazen
Marie El Khazen