Violence in Syria intensifies, US closes Embassy

by The Madeleine Brand Show

33411 full — Supporters of Syria's President Bashar Assad (portrait) attend a pro-regime rally in central Damascus on Feb. 5, 2012. LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images

The Obama administration closed the U.S. Embassy in Damascus on Monday and recalled all American diplomats from Syria. The reason cited was safety concerns, as the situation there continues to deteriorate.

But the U.S. is also increasingly stepping up its efforts to aid the opposition against President Bashar Assad. Since the uprising began nearly a year ago, 5,400 people have been killed.

Guest:

Steve Clemons, the Washington editor-at-large for The Atlantic and a senior fellow at the New America Foundation.

About The Madeleine Brand Show

The Madeleine Brand Show, exclusively on 89.3 KPCC, 89.1 KUOR and 90.3 KVLA, captures the spirit of the West in a conversational, informal, witty style and examines the cultural issues people are buzzing about. Hosted by Madeleine Brand, and produced by Kristen Muller, Steve Proffitt and Sanden Totten, the show includes regular segments like Weird L.A. - highlighting a person, place or thing that you've never heard about, but probably should; Parenting on the Edge - a weekly discussion on the challenges and pitfalls of raising kids; as well as regular contributors like Luke Burbank, Rico Gagliano, Brendan Newnam and John Moe to help dissect culture, technology and business news.