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Syria Imposing Stronger Curbs on Opposition
(New York Times) Michael Slackman - Syrian officials are aggressively silencing domestic political opposition while accommodating religious conservatives to shore up support across the country. Security forces have detained human rights workers and political leaders, and in some cases their family members as well. The Syrian leadership's actions reflect at least in part a growing sense of confidence due to shifts in the Middle East in recent months, especially the Hamas victory in Palestinian elections, political paralysis in Lebanon, and the intense difficulties facing the U.S. in trying to stabilize Iraq and stymie Iran's drive toward nuclear power.