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As the violence ensues, arms continue to flow into Syria, both to the opposition and the Bashar Al Assad regime. Officials said violence in Iraq has decreased amid reports that Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) had moved on to helping the Syrian opposition. Mike Rogers (R-MI), Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said he believes U.S. withdrawing from Iraq has lessened any influence it could have had in thwarting AQI’s entry into Syria, which has increased violence. Reuters Africa reported that the U.S. hinted at arming the Syrian opposition, as official statements become more ambiguous. “We don’t believe that it makes sense to contribute now to the further militarization of Syria. What we don’t want to see is the spiral of violence increase,” said Victoria Nuland, spokeswoman for the State Department. “That said … if we can’t get Assad to yield to the pressure that we are all bringing to bear, we may have to consider additional measures.” Individuals have vocalized their desire to see the Syrian opposition armed, including Senator John McCain (R-AZ) who urged U.S. intervention (see video above). Russia has not caved in to international pressure to stop arms sales to Syria, and has even increased them in recent weeks. An Iranian ship, docked in Syria as a symbol of dissent toward the U.S. possibly arming the opposition, reportedly has left, but an Iranian official called it “a clear message against the United States’ possible adventurism.” It was not clear whether the vessels unloaded cargo or had docked in the port as a symbolic display of Iranian support for Syria.

Activists said at least 30 people died in the bombardment of the Baba Amro neighborhood of Homs city, and at least 33 were killed when forces trying to crush opposition to President Bashar al-Assad stormed villages in northern Idlib province. The onslaught of violence has spurred the Red Cross to urge daily ceasefires. ”It should last at least two hours every day, so that [International Committee of the Red Cross] staff and Syrian Arab Red Crescent volunteers have enough time to deliver aid and evacuate the wounded and the sick,” said Jakob Kellenberger, president of the Geneva-based ICRC.

Despite the prominent narrative of arming the Syrian opposition, Marc Lynch, senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) wrote a report titled “Pressure Not War: A Pragmatic and Principled Policy Toward Syria,” encouraging diplomatic and political methods instead of military ones. Lynch outlines a campaign of pressure for policymakers that includes: presenting Assad with the ultimatum of either resigning or being charged with war crimes, tightening economic and financial sanctions, isolating the Assad regime diplomatically, strengthening the opposition and unifying them to speak as one political voice, and supporting a communications plan to publicize the regime’s atrocities.

On Monday, a delegation of U.S. Congressmen met with Egypt’s Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) Chief Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, as well as other officials and members of parliament (MPs). Arizona Republican Senator John McCain headed the five-member delegation. Lawmakers scheduled the trip prior to the indictment of American employees of U.S.-funded nongovernmental organizations operating in Egypt. The trial of the NGO workers is set to begin February 26, though McCain said he had “guarded optimism that this issue will be resolved fairly soon”. The senators also met with members of the Muslim Brotherhood and its Freedom and Justice party (FJP). McCain said that Brotherhood MP and Speaker of Parliament Saad Al Katatni “informed us they are working on a new NGO law to update the Mubarak era’s rather restrictive and repressive NGO law.” ”Quite frankly, I’m very optimistic we’re going to get this episode behind us,” said Lindsey Graham (R-SC), another senator in the delegation.

Writing for the Wall Street Journal, Matt Bradley describes the comments by Sen. McCain and others as “a climbdown from previous threats” to withhold Egypt’s $1.3 billion in military aid, saying the senators “[portrayed] the dispute as little more than an inevitable collision between a new generation of Egyptian reformers and the repressive legal system they inherited.” Steve Clemons says in the Atlantic that “the U.S. needs to be careful of the footprint it maintains in nations that are undergoing such profound political change,” and that embracing the new leaders of post-revolution Egypt “may undermine the legitimacy of those who toppled the previous regime.” A source in Egypt’s judiciary told Egyptian media that the U.S.- funded NGOs are expected to lodge appeals for the operating licenses which officials allege that they failed to obtain. If the licenses are granted during the trial, the source said, that the NGOs would likely be acquitted.

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Israel agreed to release alleged Islamic Jihad operative Khader Adnan who, at the onset of  his detention, began a hunger strike that he continued for 66 days–the longest hunger strike in Palestinian prisoner history. Adnan’s legal representation reported that he had agreed to end the hunger strike after reaching an agreement with Israeli authorities guaranteeing his release in April, should “no new additional substantial evidence” emerge against him.

Adnan, a baker by profession, is alleged to be a leader of the Iranian-sponsored Islamic Jihad group, and was arrested under the policy of “administrative detention.” Under this policy, alleged Palestinian militants are arrested and detained for months, even years, without charge. The language of the law allows for renewable six-month detentions, opening the door for indefinite imprisonment without a trial or charge. Israel defends this policy as “a necessary tool to stop militant activity.” The defendant and his representation have not been made aware of any evidence against him nor has he been charged with a crime. Israel maintains that releasing said evidence would compromise important intelligence networks in the West Bank.

On Friday, the Israeli group Physicians for Human Rights warned that Adnan “was in immediate danger of death,” and stated that he had suffered “sever muscular atrophy” after reportedly losing 1/3 of his body weight. Adnan’s imprisonment sparked demonstrations across the Palestinian territories with shops closing in the West Bank and other Prisoners beginning hunger strikes. Urging world leader to release Adnan, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, said, “I sent messages to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, and spoke with the EU and Chinese envoys … I asked them all to intervene in Adnan’s case.” Ashton was following the case “with great concern” believing that “detainees have the right to be informed about the charges underlying any detention and be subject to a fair trial.” Human rights groups criticized Adnan’s hospital stay as he was “shackled by chains on both legs and one arm.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel’s position, describing Adnan as “a dangerous terrorist.” Israeli spokesman Ofir Gendelman stated that a military judge and court of appeals had “found him a dangerous Islamic Jihad terrorist,” while Israeli Prison Service spokeswoman Sivan Weizman added, “We are well aware of the implications of this case.” Should no “substantial evidence” emerge against Adnan, he will be released in April after four months of incarceration.

Yesterday, the third and final charge leveled against Matar Matar, a former MP and leading member of Al-Wefaq party, for taking part in “unlawful” anti-government activity, was dropped. Matar had been charged with undermining public security by assembling with a group of more than five people, his first two charges being: calling for regime change and spreading rumours linked to pro-democracy protests. ”The last charge against me has been dropped,” said Matar.

In related news, leading pro-democracy activist Zainab al-Khawaja was released from custody. Upon her release from detention Khawaja said ”we are not going to give up. Whose determination is stronger – the people’s or the dictatorship? Only time will tell.” Meanwhile, clashes took place in Jidhafs, an area outside Manama, after the funeral of Hussein al-Baqali. Al-Baqali’s family said he died from burns sustained during a tire-burning at anti-government protests last month. His family cited al-Baqali did not seek treatment at the hospital due to fear of arrest.

In other news, Mahmoud Cherif Bassiouni, leader of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, expressed support for the upcoming Formula One race in Bahrain, saying if offers a chance at unity “after all that happened in the last year.” Last year cancelling the event cost the Bahrain government an estimated £300m, but Bassiouni feels the event can start “promoting national healing and reconciliation.”

In this week’s edition, the debate on Egyptian military aid intensified, with the Egyptian government continuing the investigation into foreign NGOs despite Congressional threats to cut aid and a high-level visit by American military officials. Bahrain marked the year anniversary of their mass-uprising with widespread clashes as demonstrations were held throughout the country. As violence continues to mount in Syria, the U.N. General Assembly passed a resolution seeking to end the crackdown on protestors and facilitate a transition of power. Look for next week to be dominated by presidential elections in Yemen.

The full Weekly Wire can be viewed here.

On Monday, the citizens of Misrata city were called to elect the 28 new members of the Misrata local council. Misrata, inhabited by around 300,000 people, is the third largest of the country and suffered one of the most violent strikes of the Libyan’s uprising, as it was heavily bombed by the former leader Muammar Gadhafi forces. Despite the destructions, Misrata became ‘a rare bastion of order in Libya,’ with efficient local governments, in contrast with the capital city of Tripoli where the National Transitional Council (NTC) struggled to enforce the rules. Professor of politcal sciences in Misrata, Mohammed Berween said ”We call it the Misrata model. It will be given to the rest of the country as a gift, that we can do it. It is the Obama slogan: ‘Yes we can’.” However, these elections are another example of the fracturing of Libya between local self-ruling structures maintaining loose link with the NTC. The NTC announced that the national parliament elections will be held in June 2012.

Meanwhile, the NTC issued a law offering amnesty on all crimes committed before the revolution, except those related to personal crimes and crimes of vengeance. The law targets particularly armed groups that refused to hand in their weapons and challenge directly the NTC ‘s authority.

Tuesday, a Red Crescent worker, Moussa Bazama, said more than 50 civilians were killed in the past 24 hours in tribal warfare in southern Libya. The warfare opposed the Arab tribe of al-Zwia and the African Tabu tribe where the borders of Libya, Sudan and Chad meet.

Although he only needed one vote to win, sole presidential candidate Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi (pictured above casting his own vote) was one of hundreds who poured into Sanaa to participate in the elections. “We want change. We want a new president,” said a shopkeeper, Yahya al-Qadhi, just after he voted. “It’s fine that only [Hadi] is on the ballot. If there was more than one candidate, then they would start killing each other and we are sick of the killing.” Though the turnout was higher than expected, there were still signs of skepticism amongst citizens. ”Maybe you can call them elections,” said Nadia Abdullah, one of many who protested the elections, “but for me, elections should have more than one candidate.” Another activist, Yusra Ahmed, said ”It’s not an election, it’s an opinion poll … There’s no democracy in ‘voting’ for one candidate.” On the eve of the election, Yemen state TV anchor  Amal al-Sharamy read former President Ali Abdullah Saleh‘s farewell speech: “I say farewell to the authority. I remain with you a citizen loyal to his homeland, his people and his nation as you have known me through thick and thin. I will perform my duty and my role in serving the country and its just causes” via the ruling party.

Outside Sanaa, however, the elections faced protesters associated with two main movements: the separatist Southern Movement and the northern Shiite rebels. Four were killed, including one child, in the gunfire exchanged between policemen and Southern Movement members who seized polling stations in an attempt to disrupt voting. On a day when hardline factions of the Southern Movement called for “civil disobedience,” a government official stated, ”half of the polling booths in Aden have been shut down after they were seized by gunmen from the Southern Movement.” Ten out of twenty polling stations were closed.

Hundreds of protestors around the country celebrated Morocco’s first year anniversary of its “Arab Spring.” Although there are conflicting numbers between journalist reports and security force reports, “the turnout was in sharp contrast to the tens of thousands that once flocked to the February 20th movement’s banner early last year and even the thousands that were still demonstrating last month.” Banners above tents of some protesters who camped out demanded the new parliament be dissolved, those stealing public money be prosecuted and all prisoners of conscience be released.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch reported that “Morocco is prosecuting activists who campaigned peacefully for a boycott of elections held three months ago,” while the government denied such allegations. Two groups of activists, all charged for handing out fliers urging Moroccans to boycott the legislative elections in November, are being tried in Marrakesh and Benguerir. ”The prosecution of pro-boycott campaigners underscores the gap that Morocco needs to close between its new, rights-embracing constitution and continuing repressive practices,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch.

Additionally, after an alleged bomb plot was intercepted at the Capitol building in Washington D.C., Morocco announced it “offers its support and assistance to the U.S. authorities as they probe this case and reaffirms its commitment to the solid ties that bind the kingdom and the United States.” Amine El Khalifi, a 29-year-old illegal immigrant from Morocco, was arrested and charged with attempting to bomb the Capitol building using a suicide bomb.

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A Yemeni soldier was reported dead when unidentified gunmen opened fire after an explosion went through a polling station in Aden. Government security forces were deployed to the area in anticipation of mass protests on election day. The Southern Movement, a separatist group, “has called on its supporters to boycott Tuesday’s election in which Vice-President Abd Rabbou Mansour al-Hadi will be the only candidate,” and some armed members have been arrested by security forces to ameliorate potential violence. Although only one soldier died in Aden, “three soldiers were also wounded in a clash with southern separatists near a polling booth in the southern Lahij province in the same day.” Though Hadi has gotten vocal support from President Barack Obama, there have been concerns that Yemen will follow in Egypt’s path and have a government that continues to be ruled by the military. ”The new government should more actively engage with youth, the Houthis and the Southern Movement. The political process will remain in jeopardy if these constituencies remain outside the political process,” said U.N. Yemen envoy Jamal Benomar.

Continuing to add to the instability of Yemen, a rift in the armed forces between outgoing President Ali Abdullah Saleh‘s relatives and a defected army general threatens to spoil political transition and tip Yemen into war. ”In November we were on the brink of civil war,” said Mohammed Abulahoum, a former official in Saleh’s party who quit to form his own. “Now we have a political settlement that should close the door on Saleh and his family for ever.” Although Saleh would no longer be in power after the elections, he has strong allies that surrounded him during his rule who could still have strong influences in the government. ”Saleh might not rule the country but he could still play kingmaker,” said Abdullah Al-Faqih, a professor of political science at Sanaa University. “He still has his ruling party, a son commanding the armed forces and allies holding the key ministries, he remains a political force to be reckoned with.”

Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador Gerald Feierstein has warned of increased Iranian activity in Yemen that is taking advantage of the unstable nation. As Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the al Qaeda branch in Yemen, continues to be destabilize the country, Feierstein said, “We do definitely see a rise in Iranian finance, efforts on the part of Iran to increase its influence not only with Zaydi Shia elements but with Sunni elements as well.”

Egyptian authorities announced that “ 43 civil society workers, including at least 16 Americans, will face trial on Feb. 26 over illegal foreign funding for nongovernmental organizations.” There are still Americans taking refuge at the U.S. embassy in Cairo, and it unsure whether or not they will attend the trials. Other Americans who are still living in Cairo said they expect to attend the trials without being detained. Some say the trials are motivated politically, not legally, as organizations such as National Democratic Institute (NDI) and International Republican Institute (IRI) have applied and been neither approved nor denied to be officially recognized since Mubarak’s regime. ”It is primarily a political issue, so we still hope that it will be resolved at the political level,” he said. “But as an organization, we’re prepared to move along through the system,” said Les Campbell, Middle East and North Africa director for NDI.

Meanwhile, Farouq Sultan the head of Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court said nominations for presidential candidates will open March 10th and last four weeks, and though official election dates have not been set yet, Sultan has vowed they will be before the end of June. Additionally, Egypt has been the most recent Arab nation to withdraw its ambassador from Syria, further isolating the country. Foreign Minister Mohammed Amr decided Sunday during a meeting with Ambassador Shukri Ismael to keep the envoy in Cairo until further notice.