Middle Orient

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says the United States is still seeking an international coalition for possible military action against the Syrian regime, despite the British Parliament’s vote against participating. Hagel outlined the U.S. position at a news conference in Manila on August 30.

French President Francois Hollande said a military strike on Syria could come by Wednesday and that Britain’s surprise rejection of armed intervention would not affect his government’s stand.

German FM Guido Westerwelle has been quoted as saying that his country was “neither asked to, nor is considering” taking part in a possible attack on Syria. “We are in favor of the UN Security Council finding

Britain will not join any military action against Syria after a stunning parliamentary defeat on Thursday of a government motion on the issue, dealing a setback to US-led efforts to punish Damascus over the use of chemical weapons against civilians.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to use the UN Security Council to get a quick international reaction to Syria’s conflict. This is according to a statement made by her spokesman

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu held a phone conversation with his British counterpart William Hague on Wednesday night.

Russia is sending two warships to the east Mediterranean, but Moscow denied this meant it was beefing up its naval force there as Western powers prepare for military action against Syria. Any strengthening of the navy’s presence could fuel tension, especially as the United States has said it is

Britain has sent six RAF Typhoon jets to its Akrotiri base in Greek Cyprus in a move to protect British interests as tensions grow over Syria, the Ministry of Defence said Thursday.

President Barack Obama said he had not yet made his decision regarding a U.S. strike on Syria during an interview with Judy Woodruff and Gwen Ifill for PBS on the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. Mr. Obama reflects on the challenges Americans still face over jobs, health care, education and …

President of the European Parliament (EP), Martin Schulz, commented that in the current situation around Syria, there was still an opportunity to find a political solution to the conflict, which to satisfied all members of the UN