With Russia and China blocking a U.N. resolution condemning the crackdown on protests in Syria, the prospects for a quick end to the conflict seem bleak.  President Bashar al-Assad can also rely on support from some other key players in the region. Our correspondent reports from the Lebanese capital, Beirut,...

<!--AV--> It appears Kremlin strategists had hoped Russia’s mid-winter holiday would break the momentum of the country's political protest movement. But the coldest temperatures of the season did not deter thousands of protesters from taking to the streets over the weekend. Arctic cold held Moscow in its icy grip, but tens...

The United States has closed its embassy in Syria, warning that President Bashar al-Assad is increasing his campaign of violence against opponents following the Russian and Chinese veto of U.N. action against his government. After more than one month of talks aimed at improving security around the U.S. embassy in...

U.S. President Barack Obama has ordered stricter sanctions on Iran's government and central bank, citing "deceptive practices" by Iranian banks to conceal transactions.In an executive order released Monday, the president said other factors for imposing the new restrictions include deficiencies in Iran's anti-money laundering regime, and the "continuing and unacceptable...