This morning’s key headlines from GenerationalDynamics.com.

Syria’s regime shells Latakia civilians by land and by sea

Syria

Now that Syria’s president Bashar al-Assad has turned to the port city of Latakia as a target, he’s massacring unarmed civilians by land and by sea. In a major escalation, Syria’s navy turned its gunboats on random civilian neighborhoods of Latakia, while army tanks blasted neighborhoods from the other directions. Latakia is a key strategic asset, as we reported yesterday, because Iran has agreed to fund a military base at the city’s airport to facilitate arms deliveries. Telegraph

Libya’s rebel forces deliver crucial blow to Gaddafi’s regime

In a major strategic victory, Libya’s rebel forces took control of the town of Zawiya, about 50 km (30 miles) west of Tripoli, cutting off the major route that was keeping the capital, Tripoli, supplied with food and fuel. But rebel forces are now in their strongest position since the uprising against four decades of Gadafy’s rule began in February. They now control the coast both east and west of Tripoli. To the north of the capital is the Mediterranean and a Nato naval blockade, while to the south is empty desert. However, a Gaddafi spokesman denied that Zawiya was held by the rebels, saying it was “under our full control.” Irish Times

Late Sunday evening, sources reported that representatives of Libya’s rebels were holding negotiations with representatives of Muammar Gaddafi’s government. The talks are being held in a hotel on the Tunisian island of Djerba near the border with Libya. Reuters

Libya’s tribes may turn against one another

The assassination of the Libyan rebels’ army commander, Abdel Fatah Younis, that we reported two weeks ago, is exposing important fault lines among rebel factions and tribes. In particular, Younis was a member of the Obeidi tribe, who are now threatening retaliation. The tribes are all united now in the fight against Muammar Gaddafi’s forces, but the fear is that once Gaddafi is defeated, the tribes will begin to turn against each other. Since Libya is in a generational Crisis era, this would not be a surprise. If the rebel forces win, it will turn out to be particularly dangerous to have been a member of a tribe that supported Gaddafi during the current war. NY Times

China seeks to return to abandoned projects in Banghazi, Libya

When war broke out almost six months ago, China evacuated its workers from Libya, leaving behind many unfinished construction projects. Once one of Muammar Gaddafi’s closest supporters, China is now shifting its stance, and warming relations with the rebel National Transitional Council. Financial Times (Access)

Merkel and Sarkozy to meet Monday for make-or-break euro crisis talks

After last week’s stock market roller coaster ride, fueled by a possible French banking crisis, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will meet in Paris on Monday for what is being billed a make or break summit for the euro. With Greece, Ireland, and Portugal in bailout mode, and questions about a bailout of Italy floating in the air, Sarkozy and Merkel are said to be considering “euro bonds.” Unlike bonds issued by individual countries, “euro bonds” would be backed by the entire euro zone. By this means, the “virtuous countries” like Germany can continue to bail out the “profligate countries,” like Greece. Daily Mail