Syria's Civil War

Jan. 17, 2014

As Geneva talks approach, Syrian opposition undecided about attendance

Syrian fighting, winter weather delays move of chemicals after deadline
Dec. 31, 2013
Under a UN-backed U.S. and Russian agreement, the Syrian government has begun to dismantle its chemical weapons equipment and structures in order to meet a mid-2014 timeframe. But now the nation has missed a key deadline in moving the dangerous chemicals. Hari Sreenivasan reports on what caused the delay.
How the conflict in Syria is spreading division and violence in Lebanon
Dec. 27, 2013
While the powerful political parties in Lebanon have talked about trying to keep things calm in their country, they support opposing sides of the Syrian civil war. Hari Sreenivasan talks to Anne Barnard of The New York Times about the symbolism of the bombing in the center of Beirut that killed a prominent political figure.
Refugees fleeing violence in Syria confront dire conditions in Bulgaria
Dec. 16, 2013
Bulgaria, Europe's poorest country, is in danger of being overwhelmed by the influx of Syrians seeking sanctuary. Upon arrival, Syrian refugees find few resources, packed camps, unsafe conditions and acts of racial violence. Jonathan Rugman of Independent Television News reports.
UN calls for largest aid amount yet in Syrian crisis
Dec. 16, 2013
The United Nations and other aid organizations are calling on international donors to pony up $6.5 billion to help Syrians inside and outside the country -- their largest appeal yet in Syria's nearly three-year-old civil war.
Internal splintering of Syrian rebel groups leads U.S., U.K. to suspend aid
Dec. 12, 2013
The U.S. and Britain cut off non-lethal aid to Western-backed rebels in Northern Syria after Islamist insurgents seized weapons warehouses in near the Turkish border. Gwen Ifill gets reaction to the decision from Syrian opposition activist Murhaf Jouejati and Joshua Landis of the University of Oklahoma.
Will flood of Kurdish refugees from Syria increase volatility in Iraq?
Dec. 10, 2013
In response to the threat of violence by anti-Assad jihadi rebel fighters, Syria's Kurdish population has been flooding from that war-torn nation. Many ended up fleeing to Northern Iraq, where they were originally welcomed by the regional government. But as Margaret Warner reports, that sentiment and safety has begun to wane.
Seeing Syria's Islamist fighters through the eyes of a journalist
Dec. 9, 2013
As the civil war has ground on, radicalization among Syrian rebels has grown and foreign jihadist fighters have come across the Arab and Muslim world. Margaret Warner talks to journalist Rania Abouzeid about her insight on various rebel groups and why al-Qaida-linked forces have gained ascendancy in the fight against Assad.
Politics of aid inside Syria increases suffering for those displaced by war
Nov. 28, 2013
Some 6.5 million Syrians have been displaced within the country due to the bloody Civil War and the ongoing violence has led to an increased level of suffering. Syrians that remain are in need of food, shelter and medical help. Lindsey Hilsum of Independent Television News reports on the politics of aid in Syria.
Underfunded and outgunned Free Syrian Army faces additional enemies
Nov. 26, 2013
The commander of the Free Syrian Army announced it will not attend scheduled peace talks in Geneva and will continue to fight Assad's forces. But the opposition group is also having to combat extremist groups. Margaret Warner reports on the pressures and in-fighting facing the FSA, as well as challenges to diplomatic efforts.
Destroying chemical arms production ability is 'significant step' for Syria
Oct. 31, 2013
Destroying Syria's ability to produce and distribute chemical weapons has greatly reduced their capacity for damage. What lies ahead to complete the destruction process by 2014? Judy Woodruff talks to former U.N. weapons inspector Charles Duelfer for more on the chemical threat that remains in the volatile region.
Syria completes 'functional destruction' of chemical weapon-making facilities
Oct. 31, 2013
The Syrian government met a milestone Thursday as the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons confirmed the nation's chemical weapons production capabilities have been disabled. Jeffrey Brown reports on next steps for disarmament and the state of diplomatic efforts to end fighting between rebels and Assad troops.
Will polio outbreak inspire international community to do more about Syria?
Oct. 29, 2013
Ten cases of polio have been confirmed in Syria -- the first appearance of the disease in the country since 1999. Gwen Ifill speaks with Joel Charny of InterAction on how the outbreak adds to the challenge of the humanitarian crisis and how the ongoing war has caused the destruction of the nation's medical infrastructure.
Does increasing division of rebel groups benefit the Assad regime?
Oct. 3, 2013
Does open fighting between secular and Islamist factions of the Syrian opposition help the Assad regime? Ray Suarez talks to Greg Miller of The Washington Post and Andrew Tabler of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy about tensions among rebel groups and who is benefiting from arms and training supplied by the U.S.
Fissures grow among rebel ranks as hard-line Islamists expand Syrian war role
Oct. 3, 2013
Fighting continued between the Western-backed Free Syrian Army and Assad's government forces, but in the north, there was also rebel-on-rebel conflict. Ray Suarez reports on how hard-line Islamists have expanded their role in the civil war.
Feds bust online illegal drug market and its 'Pirate' proprietor
Oct. 2, 2013
Federal investigators shut down the high-profile online market for illegal drugs known as Silk Road and arrested the site's alleged mastermind, Ross Ulbricht. Cordelia Lynch of International Television News reports on how easy it was to access illicit substances using the website.
Free Syrian Army Chief: Foreign Weapon Donations Will Go Into the 'Right Hands'
Sept. 16, 2013
The Free Syrian Army, the rebels who have been fighting the Assad regime for two years, have criticized the U.S.-Russian road map detailing the removal of Syria's chemical weapons, believing it lets the Syrian government off the hook from foreign military intervention. Gwen Ifill talks to the Free Syrian Army's Gen. Salim Idris.
Chemical Weapons Declaration May Offer 'First, Key Tipoff' of Assad's Intentions
Sept. 16, 2013
The Syrian government said it will comply with the U.S.-Russian deal, which puts the burden on Syria to declare the size and location of its chemical weapon stockpile. Gwen Ifill talks to Charles Duelfer, a former UN weapons inspector, about likely complications and the new UN report confirming a chemical attack near Damascus.
U.S. and Russia Disagree on Consequences if Syria Doesn't Comply With Arms Deal
Sept. 16, 2013
The United Nations confirmed that chemical weapons were used against Syrian civilians, but did not assign responsibility. Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to Paris to rally support for a U.S.-Russia agreement that would force Syria to remove or destroy all chemical weapons by mid-2014. Gwen Ifill reports.
Syrian rebel general 'frustrated' with lack of action
Sept. 16, 2013
Gen. Salim Idris, head of the Free Syrian Army, told PBS NewsHour co-anchor Gwen Ifill on Monday that he agreed with the aim of the U.S.-Russian brokered deal to secure and destroy Syria's chemical weapons, but in the meantime he said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would continue using other weapons to pound the Syrian people.
Verifying the Extent of Syria's Chemical Arsenal Could Be Big Challenge
Sept. 13, 2013
The U.S. and Russia delved into the "nitty-gritty" of how to handle Syria's chemical arsenal, nearing a basic diplomatic understanding. Meanwhile, it was reported that forces have been moving weapons around in Syria. Jeffrey Brown talks to Michael Gordon of the New York Times and Julian Barnes of the Wall Street Journal.
What Issues Have Stopped the U.S. and Russia From Seeing Eye to Eye on Syria?
Sept. 12, 2013
The U.S. and Russia have been at loggerheads for years over Syria. What makes the countries seem more willing to work on a solution together now? Judy Woodruff gets debate from Angela Stent of Georgetown University and Andranik Migranyan of the Institute for Democracy and Cooperation.
Syria Pledges to Give Up Chemical Arms if U.S. Drops Military Force Threat
Sept. 12, 2013
President Bashar al-Assad announced the Syrian government is applying to join the Chemical Weapons Convention and is willing to hand over the country's chemical arsenal, but wants the U.S. to drop their threat of force. Judy Woodruff reports on talks between Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart in Geneva.
What Syria Strategy Should U.S. Pursue if Diplomatic Efforts Don't Bear Fruit?
Sept. 11, 2013
Russia has opened up the potential for diplomatic movement on Syria, but can the U.S. trust them to follow through? Judy Woodruff talks with former national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski, who recommends a "patient and persistent" UN-sponsored effort, engaging powers from Europe and Asia.
McCain: President's Call for Action as Well as Pause Hurts His Case on Syria
Sept. 11, 2013
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., praised President Obama for appealing to the emotions of the American people in his Syria speech, but felt the president fell short by not advocating for the Syrian rebels. In a conversation with Gwen Ifill, McCain also considers whether Russian efforts to help reach a diplomatic solution are sincere.
Russia Says Enforcing UN Resolution on Syria With Military Action Is Non-Starter
Sept. 11, 2013
Negotiations got underway among nations of the UN security council on how to reach a diplomatic solution on Syria's chemical weapons. In Washington, lawmakers were both skeptical and relieved by the president's request to delay a vote on military action. Gwen Ifill reports.

Syrian conflict prevents UN aid from reaching starving Palestinian refugees

Jan. 16, 2014

Decades ago, thousands of Palestinian refugees fled to Damascus seeking safety, but today they confront starvation and death. Human rights activists attribute these casualties to the lack of food and medical supplies due to the Syrian war. Lindsey Hilsum of Independent Television News reports on thwarted efforts to deliver aid.

Ongoing conflict slows chemical weapons shipments out of Syria

Jan. 8, 2014

In goal to destroy Syria's chemical weapons, security conditions are big unknown

Jan. 8, 2014

What hazards and security challenges will Syria face in removing chemicals?

Dec. 31, 2013

Although Syria missed a key year-end deadline in the process of eliminating their chemical weapons stockpile, UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Angela Kane says progress has still been made. Hari Sreenivasan talks to Kane about the risks and challenges that lie ahead in transporting dangerous chemicals out of Syria.