Germany tries 92-year-old for Nazi war crime - Europe - Al Jazeera English

 A 92-year-old former member of the Nazi Waffen SS has gone on trial in Germany for the murder of a resistance fighter in 1944.
Germany tries 92-year-old for Nazi war crime - Europe - Al Jazeera English

Putin demands 'convincing' Syria evidence - Europe - Al Jazeera English

Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, has warned the US against taking one-sided action in Syria, but has also said that Russia "doesn't exclude" the possibility of supporting a UN resolution authorising military strikes.
He said that such an endorsement would require "convincing" evidence that President Bashar al-Assad's government used chemical weapons against citizens.
He also said the currently available evidence does not fulfil this criteria.
Putin demands 'convincing' Syria evidence - Europe - Al Jazeera English

Obama: World cannot be silent on Syria - Europe - Al Jazeera English

The US president was speaking during a visit to Sweden ahead of the forthcoming G20 meeting in St Petersburg, Russia.
"I discussed our assessment and [Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt] and we are in an agreement that in the face of such barbarism the international community cannot be silent," he said.
He added that he hoped his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, would change direction on a military intervention in Syria. Russia is Syria's biggest international ally.
"I'm always hopeful ... Ultimately, we can end deaths much more rapidly if Russia takes a different approach to these problems," he said.
Obama: World cannot be silent on Syria - Europe - Al Jazeera English

As Obama blinks on Syria, Israel, Saudis make common cause

Israel and Saudi Arabia are pressing their mutual friend to hit Syria's Assad hard. And both do so with an eye fixed on their common adversary - Iran.

As Obama blinks on Syria, Israel, Saudis make common cause - Middle East Israel News Broadcast | Haaretz

France calls for coalition to act against Syria, as Assad warns of 'repercussions'

 France aims to build a coalition of countries to back military action against the Syrian government in response to a chemical weapons attack in Damascus, Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said on Monday.
"This act cannot be left without a response," Ayrault said after presenting an intelligence report on Syria to lawmakers. "It's not for France to act alone. The president is continuing his work of persuasion to bring together a coalition without delay."
"France is determined to penalize the use of chemical weapons by [President Bashar] Assad's regime and to dissuade with a forceful and firm response," Ayrault said. "The objective is neither to topple the regime or liberate the country." he said, adding that only a political solution in Syria was possible.
France calls for coalition to act against Syria, as Assad warns of 'repercussions' - Middle East Israel News Broadcast | Haaretz

Connecting Syria's allies and enemies - Interactive - Al Jazeera English

 An interactive look at the political and military positions for and against military intervention in Syria.
Connecting Syria's allies and enemies - Interactive - Al Jazeera English

Assad: Syria capable of confronting attack

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said that his country is capable of confronting any external attack, a day after his US counterpart Barack Obama called for military action against him.
The statement came a day after Obama stepped back from his threat to launch an attack unilaterally, instead saying he would consult the US Congress before any such action.
"Syria ... is capable of confronting any external aggression," Syrian state television quoted Assad as saying on Sunday at a meeting with Iranian officials.
"The American threats of launching an attack against Syria will not discourage Syria away from its principles ... or its fight against terrorism supported by some regional and Western countries, first and foremost the United States of America."
Assad: Syria capable of confronting attack - Middle East - Al Jazeera English