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Syria

Syria's unprecedented unrest

Syria has been rocked by massive upheaval since March 2011. Thousands have taken to the streets, aiming to topple the Assad family's four-decade-long stranglehold on power. But the regime of President Bashar Assad is violently crushing any opposition. The United Nations estimates at least 20,000 people have died so far in the conflict.

Assad has said Syria is living in a "state of war," while human rights violations continue to accumulate. The international community is scrambling to resolve the situation but it appears that a resolution is far from certain.

DW looks at the effects of the uprising on Syria and the region.

Syria-Turkey Conflict

Syria and Turkey try to ease border tensions

There's continued tension at the Turkish-Syrian border. Ankara is threatening military retaliation should Syria keep sending shells across the border. Experts don't expect a war - but also can't rule it out. (20.10.2012) 

Politics hinder aid to Syrian refugees  

Thousands of Syrian refugees are pouring into Turkey. Ankara says it needs help, which the EU has promised. But political differences and legal hurdles are hindering closer cooperation between the two. (16.10.2012) 

Air space dispute escalates between Turkey, Syria

Tensions between Syria and Turkey continue to increase. Following Syria's move to block its air space to Turkish flights, Turkey has responded in kind. Some thorny issues in air space control have emerged in the case. (15.10.2012) 

Turkey risks getting mired in Syrian conflict

The view that Turkey misgauged the conflict with Syria is gaining force as skirmishes continue, threats are being exchanged and more grenades are flying. (13.10.2012) 

Syria comes between Turkey and Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has canceled a visit to Turkey following the forced landing of a plane traveling from Moscow to Damascus. The move signals a possible crisis in Turkish-Russian relations. (11.10.2012) 

Interview: Syrian civil war leaves Turkey conflicted

The civil war in Syria leaves Turkey in the difficult position of having to show its regional strength without letting itself get dragged into a war, Middle East expert Michael Lüders tells DW. (08.10.2012) 

Shelling marks new low in Syria-Turkey ties

Relations between Syria and Turkey have steadily worsened in the 18 months since violence broke out in Syria. But Ankara and Damascus both have their own reasons not to start a war with each other. (07.10.2012) 

Turkey's foreign policy takes a dangerous turn

By abandoning its "soft power" strategy and adopting a "military deterrence" policy, Turkey risks war with Syria, deeper tension with Iraq, Iran and Russia. (07.10.2012) 

Analysis: Turkish strikes seek to set up safe zones

Turkey has justified its military retaliation for the Syrian artillery attack with the need to protect its territory. Observers believe other factors are playing a role. (05.10.2012) 

Opinion: Demonstrate power, but remain calm

Turkey can show its power but must remain on the path of reason when it comes to Syria, says DW's Baha Güngör. Assad's end is inevitable, while Russia and Iran represent wild cards, he adds. (05.10.2012) 

Shell-shocked Turkey readies for Syria conflict

After artillery exchanges between Turkey and Syria, Ankara is preparing for conflict and at the same time stating it does not intend to declare war. The West has responded slowly to play down the clash's importance. (04.10.2012) 

International Involvement

Western spies get discreetly involved in Syria

Western intelligence agencies are quietly at work supporting the Syrian opposition from Turkey. While governments officially deny involvement, media reports paint an ever clearer picture. (13.10.2012) 

EU can't send troops but can help Syrian refugees

Anybody expecting the European Union to take decisive action to end the Syria crisis could be left disappointed, experts say. Instead, the bloc will likely pressure Turkey to accept help dealing with refugees. (05.10.2012) 

'A limited intervention is conceivable'

The conflict between Syria and Turkey is threatening to escalate. Turkey expert Michael Thumann tells DW that an intervention within a restricted framework is by all means possible. (04.10.2012) 

'Only the Europeans can mediate in Syria'

Syrian legal expert Naseef Naeem says there is little chance of a successful ceasefire in Syria, as the conflict's religious nature blocks easy solutions. Only Europe can successfully negotiate a deal, he says. (02.10.2012) 

UN, Arab League to work more closely over Syria

Despite taking different views when it comes to conflicts Syria as well as the rest of the Middle East, the United Nations Security Council and Arab League promised to improve cooperation. (27.09.2012) 

Friends of Syria plan for post-Assad era

Syria's economy is in tatters. The war-torn country will need help from abroad to get back on its feet. In Berlin, the international community is planning for the day when the Assad regime is gone. (04.09.2012) 

Economists planning Syria's 'Marshall Plan'

Over a year of conflict has destroyed the foundations of Syria's economy. Economists working on the "Day After" project want to use the reconstruction to make some fundamental reforms. (31.08.2012) 

Bloody struggle

No easy formula for Syrian ceasefire, say analysts

UN envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi is pushing for a ceasefire in Syria during the upcoming religious holiday. But experts see major obstacles and hope his previous peacemaking experience will prove decisive. (20.10.2012) 

Syrians seek safety at home

While tens of thousands of Syrians have fled the conflict to find refuge in neighboring countries, the number of those who have been forced from their homes but stayed in Syria has risen dramatically. (12.09.2012) 

Syrian Kurds demand more rights

Syrian Kurds are becoming more vociferous in their demands for more rights as the conflict in Syria drags on. Many say their time has come now that the Assad regime is severely weakened. (05.09.2012) 

Syria's Assad watches war chest dwindle

As the economy contracts and sanctions make it difficult for the Syrian government to access international markets, Damascus is seeking help from its allies in a civil war that's getting harder for Assad to pay for. (02.09.2012) 

Rights groups detail rape in Syria's civil war

The stories are multiplying in crowded refugee camps that dot the Syrian borders with Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan: that women and girls are being raped and sexually assaulted by soldiers loyal to besieged President Assad. (13.08.2012) 

Religious divisions

Sunnis and Shiites remain historical rivals

The civil war in Syria is becoming a proxy war between Sunnis and Shiites, symbolized by Saudi Arabia and Iran. Their differences originated in the early days of Islam. (23.08.2012) 

Syrian conflict divides Druze community

After Israel's annexation of the Golan Heights from Syria, a religious minority living there continued to retain close ties with Syria. But now young Druze are going against the traditional loyalties of their community. (20.08.2012) 

Syrian Christians caught between two sides

Reports suggest that Syrian Christians are increasingly being targeted for attack by radical Islamists. They're suspected of loyalty to the Assad regime - yet many are actively involved in the uprising. (06.08.2012) 

Fighting Assad in the name of God

The Syrian civil war is taking on an increasingly religious character. For some time now, the insurgents have been fighting more than the dictator. Many are brutally pursuing religious rivalries. (03.08.2012) 

Syria's Muslim Brotherhood waiting in the wings

The fighting between the Syrian regime and rebels is intensifying. Observers say it is only a matter of time before President Bashar Assad loses his iron grip on power. But who will take over at the helm? (30.07.2012) 

Regional interests

The two faces of Hezbollah

Hezbollah, the dominant party in the Lebanese government, is closely allied with the Syrian regime. With Assad's future uncertain, Hezbollah has a tricky balance to maintain. (29.09.2012) 

Steinbach: Syria's Assad ignores Arab League

Major changes are ahead for the Arab League, says Middle East expert Udo Steinbach. Despite lacking influence in Syria, he thinks the organization could play a larger role in world affairs - particularly for Palestine. (05.09.2012) 

Iran, Saudi Arabia fight proxy conflict in Syria

While there is much talk of shared values and Islamic unity between Saudi Arabia and Iran, the two countries are engaged in a bitter rivalry to expand their influence in the Middle East. (18.08.2012) 

Israel's concerns about Syria increase

Israel is following events in Syria warily. The Arab country's arsenal of chemical weapons could prompt Israel to military intervention to prevent them falling into the hands of militants. (24.07.2012) 

WWW Links

Syrian refugees in Turkey

Life along the Syrian-Turkish border

The humanitarian crisis in Syria is escalating

A year of Arab revolt in pictures

Audios and videos on the topic

One in every 15 people inside Syria on the run

Syria's Kurds flee to Turkey

A gay activist in Syria hopes to use the uprising to raise awareness among the gay community

Syrian conflict causes economic problems in Turkey

German teen raises awareness about Syria

Injured Syrians seek medical care in Lebanon

Transatlantic Relations

gold bars (Foto:Newmont Mining, File /AP/dapd)

Tracing treasures

German federal auditors demand random checks of gold reserves stored in vaults abroad.

German auditors urge check of gold reserves

Economy

A euro coin Photo: Hannibal/dpa +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++

Greece fights tax evasion

Athens officials struggle to combat long established tradition of tax evasion and corruption.

Greek savings are a 'sensational achievement'

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