This morning’s key headlines from GenerationalDynamics.com.

Killing of Libyan rebel military commander signals split among rebels

Abdel Fatah Younis (Reuters)

In an event that some are calling a disaster for Libya’s rebels, the commander of Libya’s rebel army was assassinated on Thursday. The assassination occurred several hours after the Transitional National Council (TNC) sought Younis for questioning about alleged ongoing ties to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. The death of Younis creates a power vacuum within the army that may lead to infighting among the rebels. CNN

Debka: Bashar al-Assad under file in Syria

I often quote Debka reports because they have unique content based on intelligence sources not available elsewhere. A couple of weeks ago, I quoted them as saying that Nato had discontinued air strikes against Libya — something that’s evidently untrue. But they’re right a lot more often than they’re wrong. The following is from Debka’s subscriber-only newsletter, sent to me by a subscriber.

There are signs that Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad may be forced to step aside, in favor of his younger brother, Gen. Ali Maher Assad, commander of the Army’s 4th Division and the Presidential Republican Guard. However, this is not good news for those supporting reform, as the younger brother has been leading the bloody massacres and mutilations that have targeted unarmed protesters since the anti-government protests began. Rather, it’s a sign of infighting with the Assad family and the Alawite community, of which he’s a member, and a decision to get rid of the incompetent Bashar, while keeping the presidency within the family. Debka

Debka: US intervenes in Syria by providing satellite phones

Iranian intelligence experts in Damascus have been disrupting the Syrian opposition movement’s telephone and Internet links, used for communication with each other and with the outside world. To bridge the communications gap, the US and Saudi Arabia have in the last two weeks smuggled thousands of satellite phones into Syria and put them in the hands of opposition leaders. These satellite phones completely bypass the internet and phone system. This is the first time the Obama administration has stepped in with direct assistance for the Syrian opposition. Debka

Chinese officials shocked by public anger at train accident

The collision in China of two bullet trains that we reported a few days ago is causing Beijing to lose control of the journalistic message. News reporters and bloggers who formerly would never have seriously criticized the government are openly ridiculing and scorning particular government officials and ministries. If this continues, it will represent a major behavior change caused by the rising to power of the young post-Tiananmen Square massacre generation in China. Bloomberg

State Dept. issues worldwide travel warning

“The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. The Department of State believes there is an enhanced potential for anti-American violence given the death of Osama Bin Laden in May 2011. Current information suggests that Al-Qa’ida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics including suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, and bombings.” U.S. State Department