Bashar Al-Assad

Russia denies it asked Assad to step down

Spokesman for the Kremlin denies reports that Putin sent a senior intelligence official to Damascus to ask Assad to step down.

Washington sees Assad remaining in power until 2017

American timeline for Syria obtained by AP determines Obama will leave office before Assad does.

Post 9/11, the US jumped from the Middle East frying pan into the fire

Saudi King blames Assad for the rise of ISIS

Saudi King Salman says Syrian President aided the rise of the Islamic State group.

Putin says works 'easily' with both US, Damascus on Syria crisis

Russian President claims unwavering support for Assad helps negotiating with all sides on issue.

Watch: McCain flabbergasted that Kerry supports Russia's bombing

'I'm not making this up,' says an incensed McCain quoting Kerry's support for Russian bombing of US-backed Syrian opposition forces.

NGO has 'damning evidence' of Assad's crimes against humanity

Photos of thousands who reportedly were murdered and tortured in Syrian government detention centers confirmed by HRW.

Assad: We won't talk to 'terrorists'

Syrian President says he will not join peace talks proposed by world powers, because "terrorist groups" are joining.

Syrian opposition agrees to negotiate with regime

Unprecedented talks with Assad's regime outlined in opposition meeting, but they say he still must go.

Assad: Britain's bombing of ISIS is destined to fail

Syrian president claims Britain's bombing campaign against ISIS will fail because it lacks comprehensive strategy.

Fabius: Assad's departure not necessary before transition

France's Foreign Minister says the departure of Syrian President no longer necessary before any political transition.

Assad's friend to be Lebanon's new ruler?

'Pan-Arabist' childhood friend of Assad and member of dynasty family may put an end to long feud over who will be president.

Assad: Peace can come when West stops supporting terrorists

In an interview, Syrian President insists he's not going anywhere despite calls on him to go.

Assad accuses France of 'supporting terrorism'

Syrian President rejects France as venue for signing peace deal with opponents, says France supports terrorism.

Syria's Assad claims enemies boosting support for 'terrorists'

Syrian dictator suggests Turkey, Gulf nations, others giving weapons to 'terrorist groups.'

'Assad won when Russia's plane went down'

Experts agree Assad received a boon in the Turkey-Russia spat, as Putin went from being Erdogan's friend to his enemy.

US sanctions Syrian regime for buying ISIS oil

US Treasury sanctions Assad backers for enabling bloodshed, including company buying oil for Assad from his enemy ISIS.

Iran and Russia vow to oppose attempts to dump Assad

Russia and Iran will jointly oppose "external attempts" at regime change in Syria, says the Kremlin after Putin meeting with Khamenei.

In rare interview, Assad claims army 'advancing' on rebels

Syrian dictator claims army 'making advancement on every front' since Russian airstrikes began - but evidence on ground suggests otherwise.

Obama: No end to ISIS if Assad remains in power

US President sees no end to civil war if Assad remains in power and says Syrian won't accept him as solution.

Assad: We'll help France - if it changes its attitude

Syrian President says his country is only willing to share intelligence information with France - if it changes its policies in the region.

Kerry says Syria weeks from 'big transition'

Kerry reveals international talks have yielded agreement on principles with outline for elections and transition government.

Assad holds France guilty for Paris attack

Syrian despot blames France's support of rebel groups as causing ISIS's lethal attacks, says 'Europe did not listen.'

Syrian regime makes second major victory ahead of talks

Assad's forces make 'most important advance' since Russian airstrikes began, days ahead of international diplomatic talks.

Syrian regime adamant: Assad not stepping down

Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister rules out any 'transitional period' involving Bashar al-Assad relinquishing power.

Ban: Assad has taken Syria 'hostage'

As talks renew, UN chief slams the way in which Assad's future has held up a diplomatic solution to the civil war for years.

Iran may back away from demand to keep Assad in power

Senior official says Iran may accept a six-month transition in Syria, followed by elections to decide ally Assad's fate.

Assad: West is backing 'terrorists' in Syria

Syrian President accuses Western states, including France, of supporting terrorist groups - meaning rebels - in his country.

Visiting French MP: Syria deal means talking to Assad

Right-wing parliamentarian in controversial visit to war-torn country says western states will need to talk to Bashar al-Assad.

Assad: We must eradicate 'terrorism' before political solution

Syrian President says country must eradicate terrorism to find a political solution to its civil war.

Russia: Assad willing to hold new elections

According to Russian legislator Alexnader Yushchenko, Syria's president is ready to take part in polls 'if the people are not against it.'

Putin's high-stakes Syria gamble: with or without Assad

Experts reveal surprise Moscow summit may have discussed replacement for Assad in an attempt to expand Russia's global influence.

Iran: We won't keep Assad in power forever

Iran's deputy foreign minister says his country won't keep Syrian president in power forever and will let the people decide.

Assad Makes Secretive Surprise Visit to Moscow

Assad makes secretive first foreign visit abroad since war started in 2011; in Moscow, hints of a new diplomatic front are raised.

Leading Security Institute: Israel Should Topple Assad Now

INSS head Amos Yadlin argues that Russia's involvement offers Israel an opportunity to weaken Iran-Hezbollah threat.

Syrian Rebels Place Bounty on Assad, Nasrallah

Al Qaeda's Nusra Front offers millions of dollars to anyone who kills Syrian dictator or Hezbollah leader - even if they're non-Sunnis.

Assad: I Won't Hesitate to Step Down if That's the Solution

A change of tone? Syrian President tells Iranian TV he won't rule out stepping down if the situation requires.

Arutz Sheva Exclusive

Amb. Richardson: 'Assad Is the Problem, Not the Solution'

Ex-UN ambassador and lifelong Democrat tells Arutz Sheva that unless Assad goes, 'there’s not going to be peace in Syria.'

France Launches Criminal Probe Against Assad

French authorities launch criminal probe of Syrian President for alleged war crimes between 2011 and 2013.

Islamic State Profiting from America's Egregious Policies

France Softens Position on Assad, Won't Demand His Removal

France's Foreign Minister announces his country will not demand Syrian President's departure as a precondition for peace talks.

Netanyahu Meeting Putin to Avoid Clashes with Russians in Syria

Prime Minister, along with Chief of Staff, will make clear Israeli operations to continue despite Russians' growing presence.

Assad Starts Using Advanced Russian Weapons

Syrian official reveals new weapons now being deployed, US exposes Russian helicopters in rapidly expanding military buildup.

Assad: Iran Hasn't Sent Me an Army

In interview to Russian media Syrian president admits Iran giving military support, but denies troop presence despite numerous reports.

Russia Says it Will Continue to Support Assad

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterates his country will continue to support its Syrian ally.

Report: Iranian Soldiers Actively Fighting in Syria

Israeli security officials say Revolutionary Guards have teamed with Hezbollah, Syrian soldiers to stave off rebels in Zabadani.

Rouhani Says Democracy 'Not a Priority' in Syria

At a news conference with visiting Austrian President, Iranian President dismisses calls for reform, Assad's ouster.

Zarif: Those Demanding Assad's Ouster Responsible for Bloodshed

Iran's foreign minister claims that demands for the resignation of Syrian President will prolong the country's civil war.

Pictures Show 'Russian Soldiers' Fighting in Syria

Mounting evidence of Russian boots on the ground to defend flagging Syrian allies against resurgent rebels; Obama still dawdling.

Russian Boots on the Ground in Syria?

As Obama prevaricates, Russia has no compunctions about backing its Syrian allies - and seems to even be sending troops to the front lines.

Iran Sending Afghan Refugees as 'Cannon Fodder' for Assad

Iran exploiting Afghan Shi'ite refugees by coercing them to prop up Syrian regime for incentives, leading to many of their deaths.

Assad 'Confident' of Russia's Support

Syrian President says he is confident Russia will continue supporting his embattled regime, accuses America of abandoning its allies.

Assad: Fighting 'Terrorists' More Important than Fighting Israel

Syrian President says his country must first deal with anti-regime rebels before it responds to last week's Israeli airstrikes in Syria.

US Condemns Assad's 'Disregard for Human Life'

US demands Syrian President Bashar al-Assad be given the boot after nearly 100 killed in devastating regime strike in Syria.

Rebels Close in on Assad's Latakia Bastion

Rare lethal rocket attack strikes capital of Assad's Alawite sect's heartland on western coast, as rebels close in on key regime stronghold.

Assad's Cousin Arrested Over 'Road Rage' Killing

Syrian authorities arrest Suleiman Al-Assad, a cousin of the president accused of killing a military officer in a road rage incident.

Assad Pledges to Punish Cousin for Road Rage Murder

Syrian dictator in sticky situation as cousin guns down senior military commander in 'cold blood' - for overtaking him in traffic.

Syria: Assad's Cousin Kills Army Commander in Road Rage Incident

As regime battles rebels just a few miles away, cousin of Syrian dictator shoots air force commander for overtaking him at a crossroads.

End of Assad? Erdogan Claims Putin Pulling Support

Putin 'may give up on Assad' according to Turkish president, in a sign that some of the last backers of Assad may leave him out to dry.

Syria's Assad Admits Army Suffering from Manpower Shortage

For the first time, Bashar al-Assad acknowledges his forces are suffering from serious manpower shortages, as rebels advance.