“Syrian rebels have turned their guns on each other in the border city of Azaz, as fault lines between moderate Western-backed rebels and extremist groups descends into open conflict.”  Syria crisis: Rebels turn on each other as moderates clash with extremist groups in Azaz – Middle East – World – The Independent 9/18/2013

“Only when you reach the city do you notice how many people have now built iron guard doors before their homes and iron gates on car parks. The claim that 40-50,000 rebels surround the capital is probably untrue but there are up to 80,000 security men and soldiers inside Damascus and, on this battlefront, they may well be winning.”  Robert Fisk in Damascus: In Syria’s capital, Assad’s troops may be winning this war – untouched by Obama’s threats – Middle East – World – The Independent  9/18/2013

“Fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant on Wednesday stormed the town of Azaz, 5km from the Syrian-Turkish border, and killed at least five FSA members, the activists said, adding 100 people were taken captive.” Syrian border town overrun by al-Qaeda group – Middle East – Al Jazeera English 9/18/2013

“It could pose a dilemma for the Turkish government, which has been allowing militant Islamist fighters to cross into Syria from its territory, but may not be keen to see a formidable al Qaeda presence so close to its border.”  Qaeda affiliate overruns Syrian town near Turkish border: activists | Reuters 9/18/2013

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New York Times Op-Ed Pushes Demise of Jewish State

SEPTEMBER 16, 2013 10:39BY SIMON PLOSKER

Sunday’s New York Times gave the front page of its Sunday Review to Professor Ian Lustick to make a case against a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

New York Times Op-Ed Pushes Demise of Jewish State | HonestReporting

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“Erekat last week threatened that if the talks fail, the Palestinian Authority will go back to its two-year-old tactic of simply violating the Oslo Accords again and taking the unilateral move to obtain recognition as an independent country from countries ready to sign up.”

The Jewish Press » » PA Back in Town to Wink at PA’s Loaded Deck of Cards 9/15/2013

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“To further complicate matters for Abbas and Erekat, several Palestinian factions are now in the process of forming a “national alliance” the main goal of which is to thwart any deal between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.”

The Jewish Press » » Palestinians Accuse Peace Negotiators of Treason 8/21/2013

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“Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, meanwhile, a week after meeting Kerry in London, rejected the notion of an Israeli military occupation in the Jordan Valley of the West Bank under any final-status agreement.”

Palestinian Officials: “Peace Talks” Held in Jerusalem 9/16/2013

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Live: Watch Live: President Obama’s gives speech on Syria tonight | fox4kc.com 9/10/2013/2044ET

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Other Fast Reference

France to introduce U.N. resolution on Syria chemical weapons – latimes.com 9/10/2013 (before speech)

Obama speech big reveal: Will consider Russian proposal on Syria – World News 9/10/2013 (before evening’s speech):

The president also aims to explain why Syria matters to Americans, and why it is in the national interest to hold accountable Syrian leader Bashar Assad, senior White House officials said.

Post in progress . . .

I’m waiting, watching. Are you?