The State Department is preparing to greatly reduce the enormous diplomatic presence it had planned for Iraq, a sharp sign of declining American influence in the country. (feeds.nytimes.com)

The United States has closed its embassy in Syria amid violent unrest, and international pressure is mounting on Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad to stop his bloody crackdown on a popular uprising in the country. NBC’s Ayman Mohyeldin reports. (TODAY) (pheedo.msnbc.msn.com)

The city of Homs was reported to be under renewed heavy bombardment on Tuesday, a day after the United States closed its embassy in Syria amid escalating mayhem. (feeds.nytimes.com)

(news.google.com)

Ongoing violence and a worsening security situation has been further complicated by Russia and China’s decision to block a U.N Security Council resolution on Syria. NBC’s Ayman Mohyeldin reports. (Nightly News) (pheedo.msnbc.msn.com)

(www.newsvine.com)