Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan gave these remarks at the meeting of the Action Group on Syria in Geneva, Switzerland on June 30, 2012.

The UN-backed Action Group for Syria released this communiqué on June 30, 2012.

Secretary of State Clinton gave this press conference following the meeting of the Action Group on Syria, on June 30, 2012 in Geneva, Switzerland.

UN Security Council Resolution 2052 regarding extension of the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) monitoring the Israel-Syria ceasefire until December 31, 2012 was adopted by the UN Security Council on June 27, 2012.

Ed Husain argues, "Russia should see that unless Assad gives way, the opposition will become more radicalized and increasingly jihadi."

Max Boot argues that Russian assistance to Syria means it's time for the United States to change its policy.

Leslie H. Gelb discusses the elections in Egypt and why the United States can't predict, let alone control, events in the Mideast.

He was an unpromising youth who gained power by accident. Today he's the Arab world's most notorious dictator. But who really is this man? The Financial Times' Roula Khalaf profiles Bashar al-Assad.

The White House press secretary issued this statement on Syria on June 7, 2012.

Julia E. Sweig dissects the international quandary over the humanitarian implications of violence in Syria.

Max Boot says that the United States should consider tougher actions against the Syrian government.

The conflict in Syria is less about democratic reforms and more about redistributing power along sectarian and ethnic lines--with troubling regional implications, says expert Vali Nasr.

Elliott Abrams says that tension between the United States and Israel--and the State Department's comment that Russia's approval is needed for military action in Syria--provide little hope that President Obama will take action against the Assad regime.

Susan Rice, U.S. ambassador to the UN, gave these remarks regarding Syria on May 30, 2012.

The weekend massacre near Houla that has galvanized international outrage may spark a stronger Russian stand against the Assad regime, says Syria expert Mona Yacoubian.

Kofi Annan, Joint Special Envoy for the United Nations and the League of Arab States, drew up this six-point peace plan for Syria. It was submitted to the UN in March 2012 and on March 27 the Syrian government accepted the proposal. The ceasefire came in to effect on April 12, 2012 but as reported by the UN and other bodies, has not been honored.

Elliott Abrams says it is time for the United States to demonstrate leadership and provide concrete help to bring down the Assad regime.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney released this statement regarding development in Syria on May 27, 2012.

After a year of unrest and violence, Syria's political crisis is characterized by dilemmas and contradictions. Members of Congress continue to evaluate possible U.S. policy approaches towards the Syrian crisis, write Jeremy M. Sharp and Christopher M. Blanchard in this Congressional Research Service report.