SYRIA FIGHTING CONTINUES – AT 12:39 P.M. ET:  The fact that clashes within Syria between government forces and demonstrators have gone on so long indicates that the grip of the Assad family on power in the country may be loosening.  More violence today in Iran's closest Arab ally:

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) — Syrian security forces fired on protesters in the cities of Latakia and Dara on Saturday, a day after the bloodiest and largest antigovernment protests since the uprising began.

In the port city of Latakia, security forces fired live ammunition to break up a sit-in early Saturday.

Residents reported hearing hours of heavy gunfire overnight as security forces dispersed hundreds of protesters.

“The shooting went on for almost two hours,” said one resident, speaking on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. “It was frightening.”

There was no immediate word on casualties.

And...

Later Saturday, security forces fired on protesters during a funeral in Dara, a volatile southern city where at least 25 people were killed on Friday, a Syrian human rights advocate said.

The advocate, Ammar Qurabi, who leads Syria’s National Organization for Human Rights, said the group’s information was coming from residents and witnesses in Dara. He said several people were wounded Saturday as burials were taking place.

COMMENT:  Syria, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Tunisia, Jordan, Bahrain.  It is extraordinary to see the eruptions in so many Arab countries at the same time. 

Also, there are renewed clashes between Israel and the Hamas forces in the Gaza Strip.  Some observers are predicting a major escalation, with the potential for a major war this summer. 

And what is American policy?  I'm not sure anyone has figured it out, and the secretary of state has been remarkably quiet in recent days.

The whole region could explode.  If you think four-dollar gas is high...

April 9, 2011