This morning’s key headlines from GenerationalDynamics.com.

Syria’s uprising violence spreads to Damascus

Syrian cities where clashes are occurring (BBC)

The uprising in Syria has stayed away from the capital city Damascas, so far, because of the strong army presence. But now it’s getting closer, as clashes occurred in a western suburb. Clashes continued in cities all across Syria. The regime continues to step up counter-measures by cutting off electricity and telephone lines, and by going from house to house and arresting hundreds of people. BBC

As Arab uprisings continue, Turkey loses credibility and Iran becomes alarmed

For years, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan won popularity in the Arab streets by confronting Israel. But now Erdogan is losing credibility by delaying any reaction to the Arab uprisings, first in Libya and now in Syria. Only last week did Erdogan reverse position and demand that Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi step down, and he’s still equivocating on the issue of Syria violence. His only comment on Syria’s president Bashar al-Assad was an indirect one: “I find it necessary to repeat my warning to countries in the region: Equality, justice and democracy are not the right of some countries but of every nation.” Global Post

As Turkey risks losing credibility, Iran is viewing the increasing violence in Syria with more and more alarm. Syria’s president Bashar al-Assad has been Iran’s closest Arab friend, and has provided a gateway into the Arab world and a partner to Iran in the support of Lebanon’s Hizbollah and of Palestinian groups. Even if al-Assad survives, he’s going to have to be less accommodating to Iran to satisfy the Sunni protesters. Financial Times (Access)

Nato charged with war crimes after letting 61 migrants die of hunger and thirst

Nato ignored calls for help from a boat in the Mediterranean off the coast of Libya carrying 72 migrants trying to reach to Lampedusa island in Italy. As the migrants lost fuel and ran adrift, they contacted Nato via satellite phone, and were visited by a helicopter that lowered water and food to them. However, the helicopter left, and there was no further help, leaving them to die. Ignoring a cry for help is a violation of international law, and Nato may be charged with war crimes. The boat carried 47 Ethiopians, seven Nigerians, seven Eritreans, six Ghanaians and five Sudanese migrants. Twenty were women and two were small children, one of whom was just one year old. Guardian

Sectarian violence in Cairo worries Egypt’s Supreme Council

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which is Egypt’s current interim government following the uprising that forced Hosni Mubarak to step down, is responding harshly to the sectarian violence between Muslims and Coptic Christians that occurred in Cairo over the weekend, killing 9 people. The violence was triggered by rumors that Christians had abducted a woman who had converted to Islam and married a Muslim man, which Christians say never happened. Fearing that sectarian violence might spread, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces arrested 190 people in connection with the violence, and will try them in military courts, “as a deterrent to all those who think of toying with the potential of this nation.” CS Monitor

Vengeful Pakistan official fails to unmask CIA station chief

An apparent attempt by Pakistan’s media to unmask the identity of the CIA station chief in Islamabad failed over the weekend, because the media reports did not provide the correct name. American officials suspect the attempt was the work of someone in the Pakistani government, possibly Pakistan’s principal spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence directorate (ISI). Reuters